Citylife in Lichfield February 2024

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Welcome to
CITYLIFE
Welcome to CITYLIFE in Lichfield, a monthly magazine
bringing you our pick of the city’s news, events and stories.
Each month CITYLIFE in Lichfield is delivered to
businesses and homes in Lichfield, Kings Bromley, Fradley,
Alrewas, Hill Ridware, Whittington, Shenstone,
Hammerwich, Burntwood, Streethay, Yoxall and Longdon,
completely free of charge; bringing you the best that the
city has to offer.
Each issue features heritage stories exploring the rich
history of our area, plus competitions, interviews and the
latest in fashion and style.
Got a story or charity event you want to share with our
readership? Think you’ve snapped an image that captures
the spirit of the city? We want to hear from you!
Our business is bringing you Lichfield’s city life.
CITYLIFE Contacts
Editor - Kristen Lackajis 07885 380632
kristencitylife@gmail.com
Advertising -
Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com
Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Mike James 07900 982456 mikejamescitylife@gmail.com
Design - Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com
Distribution - Rebecca Hill 07970 513144
Citylife In Lichfield Ltd
PO Box 7126 LICHFIELD WS14 4JS
CITYLIFE in Lichfield and CITYLIFE in Rugeley and Cannock Chase
magazines are not connected to any other publication or publisher, and
are wholly owned by CITYLIFE in Lichfield Ltd.
Inside...
6 Local News
What’s happening in and around Lichfield
12 All You Need is Love
Lesley Smith looks back on the history of
chocolate
24 Four Ingredients for a Healthy
Plate
Wendy Hill provides a nutritional update
34 Valentine's Gift Guide
Treat your loved one to something special
46 What's On
Events coming up in Feb & March
..................................
Competition Winners
Congratulations to S Hinkley who is the winner of a granite chopping
board from Just Granite, whilst K Coe wins a tin of Little Greene paint
from Interior Choice. Well done!
Citylife In Lichfield
@citylifelichfield
@lichfieldcity
www.citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk
Citylife in Lichfield Ltd does not endorse any business or organisation
appearing in these pages, and the publication of any advertisement,
editorial, event listing or advertising editorial does not constitute an
endorsement by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd.
Your Local
Community Magazine

5

LOCAL NEWS
New Concept Summer
Chess League
Lichfield Chess Club is launching a new concept
Summer Chess League with the help of
sponsorship from Lichfield auctioneers, Richard
Winterton.
Six teams will compete for a handsome
Winterton Trophy which will be held on five
evenings in May and June. Instead of the usual
home and away fixtures, the League will be held
at central locations with all 24 chess players
playing their matches in the same room.
There will be four players in each team, one
board restricted to players under 1200 rating,
boards two and three to players under 1600,
and the top board to players under 1800 rating.
Lichfield, fielding two teams, will host three of
the evenings and Tamworth and Norton Canes,
which also have capacity to stage a large event,
will host the other two. Rugeley and Burton
complete the line-up.
For enquiries, contact David Short on 01543
304212 or email: davidmshort42@gmail.com.
.......................................................................................
Digital Parking
Signs Installed
Motorists will be assisted in locating car parks
in the city and gain up-to-the-minute
information about their capacity thanks to
digital car parking signs which have been
installed.
The signs, which help motorists make informed
decisions about where to park, will display
details of the spaces available in key car parks
around the city centre.
Lichfield District Council has worked with
Staffordshire County Council and Clearview to
6
deliver three signs - on The Friary outside
Franciscan View, on Birmingham Road near the
junction with Friary Avenue and on Church
Street near Greenhill Health Centre.
Now fully calibrated, the signs display the
number of spaces available at car parks
including Friary Multi Storey, Sandford Street,
Bird Street, University, Lombard Street and
Redcourt.
.......................................................................................
Increase in
Fixed Penalties
Lichfield District Council’s Regulatory and
Licensing Committee has approved increases to
a number of fixed penalties from 1st April 2024.
Following changes to the law in July 2023, the
maximum fixed penalty that can be set by
councils for a range of environmental offences
increased.
The committee of elected councillors has set
the penalties that apply in Lichfield District to
the new maximum. As a result, the fixed penalty
for fly-tipping will rise from £400 to £1,000,
reduced to £500 for early payment. If the fixed
penalty is not paid, the courts can impose a
penalty of up to five years imprisonment and an
unlimited fine.
Fixed penalties for leaving litter will rise from
£150 to £500, reduced to £250 for early
payment. If the fixed penalty is not paid, the
courts can impose a fine of up to £2,500.
Householders who give their waste to another
person without checking whether they are a
registered waste carrier will now face a fixed
penalty of £600 instead of £200, which will be
reduced to £300 for early payment. If not paid
the courts can impose an unlimited fine. Fixed
penalties for graffiti and flyposting have also
increased.
.......................................................................................
Antiques Auctioned
for Charity
Antique oil paintings are to be auctioned off to
raise funds for the Lichfield Festival.
The five works were purchased by Helen and
Vic Wiser in 1990 and hung at Swinfen Hall until
they sold the property in 2021, at which point
Helen Wiser & Richard Winterton
the paintings were consigned to the basement.
The Wisers have been sponsors of the Lichfield
Festival for over 30 years and when they heard
of the paintings’ fate, they asked new owner Lee
Bushell if he would allow them to be auctioned
off to raise funds.
The paintings include a three-quarter length
portrait of a lady attributed to British artist
Richard Buckner (1812-1882) and a portrait of
Colonel John Hutchinson, one of the signatories
of the death warrant of Charles I, in the style of
the 17th century English school.
They go under the hammer with Richard
Winterton Auctioneers at The Lichfield Auction
Centre on Fradley Park on Monday 12th
February at 9.30am. The catalogue can be
viewed online via
www.richardwinterton.co.uk/auction-dates a
week before the sale and viewing in person at
The Lichfield Auction Centre takes place
between 10am and 4pm on Friday 9th February.
.......................................................................................
Garrick Seeks
Chair & Trustees
Building on the success of recent board
recruitment
efforts, Lichfield
Garrick Theatre
is thrilled to
announce it is
actively seeking
a dynamic Chair
of the Board of
Trustees and
additional
trustees with expertise in health and safety as
well as commercial and trading activities.
This move aims to diversify the board's skill set,
ensuring a well-rounded leadership team that
aligns seamlessly with the theatre's charitable
objectives and future vision. Continued page 8

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LOCAL NEWS
With a comprehensive business plan guiding the
charity towards future success, the theatre
seeks a Chair who will collaborate closely with
trustees and the Chief Executive Officer to
provide strategic direction and oversight.
In addition, Lichfield Garrick s actively recruiting
additional trustees with specialised skills,
focusing on health and safety as well as
commercial and trading activities.
Prospective candidates are invited to submit
their applications and credentials by 16th
February to recruitment@lichfieldgarrick.com.
Application details available at
lichfieldgarrick.com/get-involved/chair-trusteeopportunities/.
.......................................................................................
Leisure Centre Plans
Welcomed
the natural world and
current affairs, plus
new fiction, memoir
and biography to
immerse yourself in,
this year promises a
range of events
suitable for everyone.
The Literature Festival is also delighted to
announce its newest patron; author, Tudor
historian, broadcaster and joint Chief Curator
at Historic Royal Palaces, Tracy Borman.
Tracy has been a regular and much-loved visitor
to both the Literature and Summer Festivals in
recent seasons, and was the Festival
Writer/Historian in Residence in 2023.
Tickets go on advance sale from 1st February
to members of the Lichfield Festival Friends,
with general sale from February 15th.
.......................................................................................
Family Business
Gives Back
Christine
Miles
We are heartbroken to announce the
passing of Christine Miles of Lichfield
who died on 10th January 2024 aged
90. Chris passed away at home
following illness. Chris was loved by all
of her family and friends, especially her
daughter Pat, son-in-law Paul and
grandson Graham. Her funeral will be
held at 10am at St Johns Church, Wall
and then at Fradley Crematorium on
1st February. Mum, we miss you and
love you always.
Artist's impression of the new centre
Lichfield District Council’s approval this evening
of plans for a new leisure centre in the city has
been welcomed by popular, long-standing,
swimming clubs.
The planning committee voted in favour of the
new £10 million facility at Stychbrook Park, off
Curborough Road, which will provide a brandnew
replacement for the ageing Friary Grange
Leisure Centre on Eastern Avenue.
The leisure centre will feature a new 2-5metre,
6-lane variable depth swimming pool to include
poolside seating and changing, and 80-station
fitness gym with assessment room and
equipment store, a Spin studio, a dance studio,
reception, community room, external 3G pitch
and new outdoor changing rooms.
The leisure centre is being designed by
ReCreation, a company founded by British
Olympians, which uses a unique above-ground
swimming pool design which is more affordable
than the traditional construction method which
requires excavation.
.......................................................................................
Famous Face is
Festival Patron
Lichfield Festival’s four-day Literature Festival
returns to the city from 21st to 24th March
with a fabulously full long weekend to celebrate
the written word. With best-selling authors
from the worlds of history, politics, economics,
8
A family-run business is kicking off the New
Year with an incredibly rewarding revelation
that it’s raised over £1.5k to boost charity
coffers.
For the first time in its long history, Adcocks
Solicitors in Lombard Street was delighted to
announce that it was taking part in Will Aid.
Described as an exceptional campaign, the
initiative saw Adcocks’ solicitors donate their
time for free to write professional wills in
return for donations throughout November.
Still proudly run by the same family who
founded it over 110 years ago, the practice is
thrilled to be able to reveal its final fundraising
tally stands at £1,578 for its inaugural year
supporting this annual campaign.
The cash raised will now be split between nine
charities, which include ActionAid, Age UK,
British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save
the Children and Sightsavers.
Visit www.adcocks-solicitors.co.uk/ for more
on Adcocks, who will be taking part in Will Aid
again this November.
Family Notices
Readers are now able to place a notice
in Citylife in Lichfield magazine to let
others know of an important event,
occasion or celebration that is taking
place. If you would like to place details
of any births, deaths, marriages or
other occasions, please contact
Rebecca Hill at
rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com or on
telephone 07970 513144.
Notices will consist of a maximum 50
words, plus an image, at a cost of £24
(inclusive of VAT).

9

A Business & Community Hub
By Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council
About 18 months ago, I was discussing our
Frog Lane council building with my newly
appointed CEO at Lichfield District Council. We
both readily acknowledged the excessive space
at the offices designated solely for the council,
prompting us to contemplate ways for the
building to "earn its keep." With a long-held
aspiration for closer collaboration between the
council, businesses, and the voluntary sector, we arrived at what
seemed to be a compelling solution – establishing a business and
community hub, which would not only bring small businesses
together but also generate funds to offset building maintenance
costs.
Fast-forward to 2024, and it's immensely gratifying to see the fruition of
that vision. The Business Hub now hosts a thriving business community
over 30 businesses alongside a delightful public café. Citizen's Advice is
both a tenant and partner, and we even successfully secured a home for
Barclay's bank's community banking provision.
This approach, balancing commercial viability without transforming the
council into a business, and innovatively rethinking services rather than
solely "spending more" on the challenges that we have within the District
forms a golden thread in our approach at LDC.
Over the past 18 months, we've worked hard to re-think how we might
approach the remit we have at LDC; this laser-focus has created £1.7
million in savings, but even more importantly an enhancement in service
quality to residents.
For example, among the council's lesser-known functions is
administering the Disabled Facilities Grant. This grant enables those with
limited mobility (whether through age or disability) to stay in their homes
longer by making bespoke adaptations. Bringing this responsibility inhouse
and re-thinking the team has seriously sped up the process -
facilitating quicker adaptations for residents and ensuring they can stay in
their own homes for longer. In 2023, we also brought our leisure centres
back "in-house" revitalising Burntwood Leisure Centre and elevating it
back to modern standards. Burntwood Leisure Centre now boasts a new
soft play area, resurfaced tennis courts and a climbing wall is on its way.
Membership and unique visitors have risen, and Burntwood once again as
a leisure centre of which it can be proud.
As we approach 2024, our commitment will remain steadfast in
genuinely serving the community, whilst taking a prudent approach to the
funds of which we are stewards.
New Year, New Beginnings
By Darren Ennis, Leader of Burntwood Town Council
The new year marks a new adventure for
Burntwood Town Council in 2024. We have
exciting things coming this year, some returning
and some new, but always for the benefit of our
town.
The biggest project of 2024 is our exciting new
community building. Following a successful
campaign backed by residents to retain the building
for community use, the purchase of the former
Chase Terrace Methodist Church is complete and the hard work now
begins. We will be working to modernise the building and get it ready for
the community groups who will be making use of the space, offering
additional activities and services for local people.
Another project kicking off the new year will be the installation of cycle
racks across the town. Throughout January, our Response and Repair team
will be out fitting racks in all our retail areas, encouraging residents to ride
rather than drive to the shops where possible, by providing a secure place
to park their bikes safely.
Looking forward into 2024, the Council will continue its support and
running of our Producer’s Market on the second Sunday of each month
from April - October. The markets were requested by residents and have
been a great success, and they also support local businesses at Sankey’s
Corner. Our community events will also continue, with Play in the Parks
and the Burntwood Wakes returning in the summer. These events are
always well supported by residents and it’s great to see the community out
and enjoying themselves. We will be looking for partners to support these
events and help us offer even more than before.
We are always seeking ways in which we can better communicate what
we do with our residents, and this month Burntwood Town Council have
launched a brand-new website, ensuring our information is more accessible.
The website has been designed by Burntwood business InLife Design as
local procurement is really important to our Council.
Finally, councillors were delighted to present two students with the
Burntwood Town Council Student Award in memory of Stephen Sutton at
the end of December. Both winners received £1,000 to support them to
continue to develop their fabulously unique skills. Daniel Ball, who is a
future England Powerchair Football star risen from Burntwood, and
Scarlett Crompton whose artistic skill are phenomenal. Anyone who can
make a graphite portrait look like a photo taken on a 4k camera is worthy
of support. We received some amazing applications from Burntwood
students, and it makes me so proud to hear about the wide-ranging skills
our young people have. Congratulations to the worthy winners.
If you need further information on our events, services, or sponsorship
opportunities, this can be found by following Burntwood Town Council on
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or on our NEW website at
www.burntwood-tc.gov.uk.
10

11

All You Need Is
Love… And
Chocolate!
By Lesley Smith, Curator of Tutbury Castle
Love echoes down the centuries,
with giants of the past reminding us
of the burning desire and longing
that can be part of human love.
Helen of Troy and Paris, with their
romance beaten out in war (and
supported by a thousand ships, if that
old quote is anything to go by); Antony
and Cleopatra, with a certain amount of
interference from Julius Caesar; and
then into the green woods of England -
Robin Hood (if you believe in him) and
Maid Marion or Clorinda, as she is
known in other sources (unless Robin
had room in his heart for two!). Elizabeth I loved Robert
Dudley, and (later) his stepson the Earl of Essex; whilst Queen
Victoria was very keen on Albert, in fact very keen indeed!
These are the merest hint of the romantic couples of the past
and, ever since then, the world, and even Lichfield, has been full
of people who have fallen in love.
So, love matters, and also expressions of love. In this month
of February, the lovers’ month, I am allowed to state the
obvious!
Some people fall in love naturally, while others need a little
help. The Georgians, with all their new thinking of philosophy
and medicine, had the streets thronged with quacks and the
Kingdom of Quackery was inhabited by large numbers of
people who can only be described as frauds. Stalls would pop
up and a man (rarely a woman) would stand on a box and extol
the virtues of a particular elixir that was just bottled water
with colouring (don’t ask what coloured it, as I often wish I
didn’t know). Many of these potions and creams were linked to
love and fertility. Witches and so-called Cunning Men and
Women had been selling them for centuries before the
Georgians.
Love potions aside, there are many foods that are well known
as aphrodisiacs, such as oysters, asparagus, rose-scented
puddings and but one food is truly the food of love, and play on,
for that food is chocolate.
Dark, bitter chocolate, soft, creamy chocolate that was (and
happily is) melted into puddings and hot milk, and hot spiced
brandy. "Hot spiced brandy?" you cry, and yes, hot spiced
brandy was one of the ways the people of England enjoyed it
when it first arrived on our shores around 1600, when Queen
Elizabeth was in the last three years of her reign. Initially, it was
not sold in a bar, but as cocoa nibs to be melted into a drink.
By the time of that “Merrie Monarch” King Charles II, it was
widely served in the coffee and chocolate houses of London.
These " houses" were a forerunner of the gentlemen’s clubs,
but were also places where news and gossip could be
exchanged, as well as politics and philosophy. The first
newspapers were created to satisfy the demand in such places
for the latest information, but who needs newspapers when
you can simply enjoy a gossip and chocolate at the same time?
Chocolate caused a sensation and it was not long before it was
melted into milk and cream and stormed our taste buds and
our hearts.
It was not really until the 1700s that the hot milk came into
the recipes. The early chocolate was very much more bitter
than ours, and could be sweetened or flavoured with honey or
nutmeg, pepper and the hugely expensive ambergris, with any
number of other choices on offer, giving a degree of rivalry as
to which establishment offered the finest blend of flavours.
Chocolate is unstable to work with in certain temperatures,
and can become grainy. With time and experimentation the
secret of managing it started to be understood, so it could be
put in cakes and wrapped around fillings of flower or fruit
creams and sold in pretty boxes with a large satin ribbon. A
perfect gift for romance. The scientists tell us that chocolate
does indeed stimulate the 'feel good' chemicals in our bodies,
and that a few small, dark squares are even good for us.
Blow that, say I! Bring on the pretty box with the satin ribbon,
bring on the loving gift and hope. Happy Valentine's Day.
PS: I often tell my husband that I don’t really like chocolate,
but for some reason he doesn’t believe me!
If you would like to find out more about the history of
chocolate, Lesley is giving a costumed talk on 14th February at
Tutbury Castle, including a tasting of historical flavours, along
with a romantic glass of fizz. To find out more, or to book a
private group for this event on another date, check out
www.lesleysmithhistorians.co.uk.
12

13

Your Garden in February
By Byron Lewis
14
Has your garden drowned over the Christmas and New Year this
year? You’re not alone. Many borders are still saturated with all
the rainfall a few weeks back, so be careful when walking in your
garden. Compacting wet soil with your boots can be harmful to
your soil structure and it’s sometimes better off leaving your
gardening jobs until a few weeks later (it’s a great time to plan a
new border though, sat indoors with a hot cuppa – or something
stronger!)
Now we’re into February, this can typically be the coldest month
of the year. Be prepared by protecting more tender shrubs like
palms, camellias and others with horticultural fleece. This is
breathable, but also insulates the plants from severe cold. You can
generally buy this by the metre, or pre-packed. You may also want
to think about wrapping your pots in bubble wrap if it gets really
bad!
It's time to take an early look at the vegetable garden. Seed
potatoes are now available – buy them early for the best selection
and keep them somewhere warm and dark (like an airing
cupboard). This will encourage small shoots, or chits, to grow.
When these are around an inch long they will almost be ready for
planting into the garden.
If you’re lucky enough to have a heated greenhouse, you could
also start sowing some salad crops later in the month. Things like
lettuce, radish, spring onions and others don’t take too long to
mature and can give you some fresh, tasty homegrown crops by
late spring. Herb seeds like parsley and chives can also be sown.
Out in the garden, and particularly in pots or window boxes,
replace any tired looking patio plants with spring colour in the
form of primroses, polyanthus and ready potted spring bulbs such
as crocus or daffodils. These will be coming into flower now,
through to late spring.
* Handy tip - instead of properly planting potted bulbs into
containers, just 'plunge' them in, pot and all. Once they have
finished flowering, you can then remove them from their
temporary home and put them straight into the garden and fill
the gap with something else in flower.
Byron Lewis runs Lichfield Garden Centre, at
Curborough Countryside Centre,
Lichfield. Tel: 01543 254306, visit
www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk, and also find on
Facebook and Twitter.

15

16

17

Open Your
Hearts and Let
the Love In
By Lauren Hirst
As the saying goes “no one loves you like your dog.”
Why do dogs make the best Valentines? Because they give
you unconditional love, they only have eyes for you, and
they will always be by your side. They are always happy to
see you, are never judgemental, you are their entire world,
and they give the best cuddles. Science has proven that
they are good for you by increasing your “feel good
hormone” oxytocin and increasing your levels of exercise
by going walkies.
Love is in the air at Home Run Hounds’ new homing
centre at Watford Gap kennels in Shenstone (and
additional kennels in Hagley and Womborne). Thirty
greyhounds are just waiting for their happily ever after
homes. Ex-racing greyhounds make the most paw-some
pets. They give so much but ask for so little in return…
just two meals and two twenty-minute walks a day, a
comfy bed, an ear scritch and tummy rub in between naps.
Every day is Valentine’s Day with the love of a dog in your
life and the first step in finding you new love is to visit
www.homerunhounds.co.uk to see all the wonderful dogs
who are just waiting for you to visit. Dogs like Josie, Joe,
and Rolo – three unraced siblings who are just 20 months
old. They are just delightful - each with their own
personalities and with lots of love to give. We hope black
boys, Mitch and Dipper, won’t be overlooked, as black dogs
often are, in favour of their more brightly coloured kennel
friends. If you are willing to travel a bit further afield, why
not meet sweet boy Haribo, or the gorgeous Bailey who
loves to gaze into your eyes?
You can’t buy love but you can adopt it. Please give us a
ring on 08488 253537, email
hello@homerundhounds.co.uk, or send us a message on
Whatsapp to arrange a visit to find the paw-fect match
that ticks all your boxes and gives your heart a little flutter.
What’s not to love about adopting a greyhound?
Got a story or charity
event you want to share
with our readership? Think
you’ve snapped an image
that captures the spirit of
the region? We want to
hear from you!
Contact Citylife at
kristencitylife@gmail.com
18

Win 2 Day Tickets to the
International Watercolour
Masters Exhibition
The world’s elite watercolour Master artists return to the UK
for an incredible festival of art from May 15th to May 24th 2024.
Set at historic Lilleshall Hall in Shropshire, the IWM2024 show
will feature more than 150 masterpiece paintings from 50 of the
world’s best artists.
All paintings in the show are for sale meaning this is a great
opportunity to collect a masterpiece from the world’s best
painters.
Masters will be on hand during the 10-day show and there will
be several live demonstrations daily, included in the cost of
entrance. Workshops will run every day (separate booking on
IWM website) and artists from as far afield as China, Brazil,
Argentina, and the USA will be present during the show.
IWM2024 is organised by Royal Institute elected artist member
David Poxon RI. IWM2024 will be the third event in the biennale
series and it is a unique show for the UK - never before have
such world famous watercolour stars assembled in such
numbers for an exhibition anywhere! A testament to the first
class reputation and organisation the show has throughout the
art world.
There are woodland trails, Italian gardens, a cafe, restaurant, free
parking, disabled access and lots more facilities on hand for a
great day out.
Admission is by advance ticket from the IWM website at
www.iwm2024.com or from Eventbrite.
To be in with a chance of winning 2 x day tickets to this
incredible event, simply correctly answer the question below and
send it along with your contact details.
Where is IWM2024 held next year?
a) Shropshire Hall
b) Lilleshall Hall
c) Telford Hall
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to IWM
Competition at competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to
Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield WS14 4JS by the closing
date of 19th March 2024. One entry per household. Multiple entries
will be disqualified. No cash equivalent. Please note you must be 18 or
over to enter. All entrants’ information is processed in line with GDPR
Data Protection Regulations and our Privacy Policy (available at
citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk). Full t&cs on page 50.
19

An Update from
the Trent Valley
By Nicola Lynes, TTTV Community
Engagement Officer
On International Volunteers Day in December 2023, we held
our Volunteer Winter Party to say thank you to all of our
amazing volunteers.
We enjoyed a campfire and mince pies to get into the Christmas
spirit, followed by cake and gifts. All of our volunteers went home with
a Transforming the Trent Valley (TTTV) themed mug and coaster, made
locally from recycled plastic by Burton ReRun.
As we near the end of the five-year TTTV scheme in this area, we
have crunched the numbers and found that we have had over 400
volunteers involved, who have contributed 1,770 days of volunteering.
We are so grateful for all their dedication, humour and skills to support
us with important milestones including: discovery, conservation and
monitoring of heritage sites, taking beautiful photographs and unique
drone footage, and creating online walks for you to discover the Trent
Valley from the comfort of home – you can follow the trails on our
website: www.thetrentvalley.org.uk
Louise Morris, TTTV Project Manager, cuts the thank you cake with TTTV
volunteers & Nicola Lynes (copyright Sue Freeman).
A huge thank you to all of our volunteers for being part of our
project to restore and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the
Trent Valley.
Winter is a good time to get outdoors if you wrap up warm! Visit the
Trent Valley with a flask of something hot to learn more about the area
and enjoy the view. We have installed speaking benches situated
between Fradley Junction and Alrewas. The new benches provide
resting spots overlooking the canal, and the solar powered speaking
bench plays audio clips from volunteers and participants from the TTTV
scheme. Let us know if you find them!
J HOWELL &
DAUGHTERS
FUNERAL DIRECTORS LICHFIELD
LICHFIELD’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT,
FAMILY RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS.
SECOND GENERATION BUSINESS HERE TO ASSIST YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY.
24 hours a day
We are proud to be Lichfield's longest established family run funeral directors offering a wide range of
choices to suit all requirements. Horse drawn hearse, non religious ceremonies, floral tributes and
memorials are but a few of the services we offer.
Pre-paid funeral plans are also available.
For a truly personal service please call
01543 255776
Private Chapel of Rest 116 Netherstowe,
Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6TS
22

Watch Our Story
23

Four Ingredients for a Healthy Plate
By Wendy Hill
Food is your body’s fuel - it
feeds all of the growth and
functions that we need to be
fit, healthy and happy. Rather
than restrict your food, I
encourage you to eat a healthy
balanced plate. Not only will you
feel full but you won’t be tempted
to snack between meals.
So, forget about calories and
counting syns, points or forbidden
foods - we just need to eat REAL food and make sure that we are
including these four elements every time: protein; fibre; colour; and fat.
Read on to find out why…
Protein
Every single cell in our body needs protein; muscles, skin, and bones. It
is our essential building block, and everything starts with protein, so it is
important that we get a good helping with every meal. It also helps
coordinate our signalling pathways – it’s key in sending messages around
the body. And last, but by no means least, it helps with hunger and satiety.
How much protein do we need every day?
The general consensus is that we need approximately 0.8g to 1g of
protein per kg of weight daily. However, as we age we are less able to
efficiently extract nutrients from food, so we might need more, and we
don’t absorb protein from plant sources as well as we do from animal
sources. I tend to advise clients to aim for around 1g per kg as an
average, but the key to hitting your target is to make sure you are getting
some with every single meal.
There are lots of foods that are being labelled as ‘high protein’ these
are often ultra processed foods and contain ingredients that are not
beneficial to your health. Instead of buying those, here are some of my
top, naturally high in protein foods: lean meat, Greek yoghurt, chia seeds
(all seeds are good but these are particularly high), oily fish, eggs,
chickpeas and quinoa.
Fibre
I think that fibre is a forgotten nutrient. We talk about carbohydrates,
often quite negatively, but what we should be talking about is fibre. Fibre
is vital to the health of our gut, and anyone who is interested in their
health knows that a healthy gut is essential.
We should think about fibre like a protective barrier for our digestive
system. Foods, drinks and medication that we ingest are inflammatory to
our digestive lining, and if this inflammation becomes chronic it can lead
to digestive conditions such as IBS, leaky gut, bloating and discomfort.
When we eat foods high in fibre, the fibre acts as a protective barrier for
our digestive lining and therefore protects it from damage. Fibre is also
the food of our good gut microbes, so eating fibre rich foods supports
our microbial balance.
How much fibre should I be eating?
The government guidelines state that women should be getting a
minimum of 25g a day, and men 30g a day. You can get fibre from
wholegrains, vegetables and fruit. Avoid processed grains such as white
bread and pastries as these have little or no fibre in them.
Colourful Fruit & Veg
Forget five a day, that is for amateurs! You should be aiming for at least
eight portions of vegetables/salad and two to three portions of fruit
every day. Eating as many different colours at each meal is key to getting
all the phytonutrients your body needs.
We talk a lot about calories, macronutrients and even vitamins and
minerals, but often forgotten are the phytonutrients that we only get
from plant sources. There are over 100,000 of these amazing plant
compounds and we are still learning about the benefits of them to our
health and wellbeing. But one thing we do know is that each different
colour, and even each different plant, has a unique combination of these
phytochemicals that work synergistically to support our overall health.
Key to getting the most benefit is to eat a wide variety of vegetables,
salad and fruits. Aim to tick off each colour of the rainbow daily, and get
a different variety each day. Try to eat locally and seasonally, as well as
organic if possible.
Next time you go shopping look to see what is seasonal and, if there
is something you haven’t tried before, add it to your basket.
Fat
Including the right kind of fat in your diet is vital. Healthy fats are the
fourth element to our healthy diet. We make many hormones, including
our sex hormones, from fats, and they are key in our brain health and
help to reduce inflammation too.
Fats are high in calories, at 9 calories per gram (compared to 4 calories
from protein and carbohydrates), so they should be consumed in
moderation and focus on unsaturated fats which are the healthiest ones.
The healthiest fat is unsaturated fat which can be found in things like
olive oil. Nuts and seeds are a great source of unsaturated fat and these
are also high in fibre (certain foods don’t just live in one section of the
elements). Also, key to include is oily fish such as salmon and mackerel.
Healthy fats are also associated with satiety and can help keep you
feeling fuller for longer, so including some at every meal will stop that
snacking and can ultimately reduce your overall calorie intake if that is
something you are working on.
Bringing it all together
Here are some practical ways that you can change your meals to include
these four elements.
Breakfast
Add peanut butter and a sliced banana to toast.
Top your cereal with berries and chia seeds.
Swap a boiled egg for an omelette made with mushrooms and spinach.
Lunch
Swap your jacket potato for a sweet potato topped with cottage cheese
and a side salad.
Add salmon to a bag of colourful salad leaves.
Add lentils or chickpeas to a veggie soup.
Top toasted sourdough with tinned mackerel or sardines and a side
salad.
Dinner
Swap white rice for brown or basmati.
Swap chips for sweet potato fries.
Add a spoonful of veggies in a different colour to your plate.
Wendy Hill of Hill Start Nutrition is a Naturopathic Nutritional
Therapist, Nutrigenomics Practitioner, and health coach. She supports
women through mid-life with personalised lifestyle, nutrition and
supplement protocols, helping them to understand how to nourish their
body with the right food and lifestyle choices.
Find out more about Wendy on website www.hillstart.me.uk, or follow
on Facebook by searching HillStartNutrition or on Instagram
@fabfemalenutrition.
24

£500 off all orders for Verandas
placed in February
25

Engagement rings through the ages
By Louise Ludlam-Snook BA (Hons) DGA FGA
With Valentine’s Day approaching,
people often start to think about
purchasing a piece of jewellery for their
loved ones and many people use this
romantic day to propose. In this article
we have a look at the history behind
engagement rings.
Originally called betrothal rings, they
have been used since Roman times
with rings of ivory, flint, bone, copper
or iron affirming mutual love or even
signifying a business contract.
Ancient Egyptians first used rings to
represent that eternity as a circle has
no beginning or end. They also believed
there was a vein running directly from
the third finger on the left hand to the
heart, so used this as their ring finger.
Although this isn’t anatomically
correct, the tradition continues today –
but different hands have been used at
different periods.
Rings between lovers in Medieval
times often carried a concealed phrase
or motto, engraved on the inside of the
band.
Around the 1600s gimmel rings were
used – these featured two or three
bands. Once engaged, the man and
woman would each wear a band, during
the wedding ceremony the groom
would place his ring on the bride’s
finger to form a unified ring showing
two hands clasped together.
It is possible that having two rings, an
engagement/betrothal ring and a
wedding ring, came about in the 12th
century, when the Christian church
declared marriage a holy sacrament.
The engagement ring becoming a
personal piece and a wedding ring
being a requirement for the wedding
ceremony.
Various gems have been used over
the centuries in engagement rings but
in the 1940s De Beers bought about
the popularity of using diamonds by
launching a massive advertising
campaign using famous actresses and
artists to promote that ‘a diamond is
forever’.
Whatever you choose, auction is a
great place to pick up a unique ring or
piece of jewellery for your loved one.
Using a reputable auction house such
as Richard Winterton’s means you can
get expert advice before purchasing.
Buying from auction also means you
get much more for your money.
Richard Winterton Auctioneers
offers jewellery appraisals, insurance
valuations and probate advice by
appointment at The Lichfield Auction
Centre, Fradley Park, and pop-up, dropin
jewellery valuations also take place
every Tuesday at The Hub at St Mary’s
in Lichfield and at Burntwood Library
on the last Tuesday in the month.
To book appointments or to discuss full
or partial house clearances, telephone
01543 251081 or email
office@richardwinterton.co.uk.
Visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk.
A 3.00ct diamond ring sold for
£5,000 at Richard Winterton
Auctioneers.
This 0.80ct diamond solitaire
went under the hammer for
£580.
Sold at £5,000: Another 3.00ct
diamond ring bought at The
Lichfield Auction Centre.

The Month in
Pictures
We take a look at the events and
activities over the last month, bringing
you a round-up of the city in
pictures...
Michael Fabricant MP was bestowed with a
Knighthood at Windsor Castle in December
2023.
Members of the We Love Lichfield
committee at the Christmas Giveaway at
the The George Hotel.
A great turnout at the Volunteer Fair at
Lichfield Cathedral.
Breslins Networking Club at Poquito's
Bar in Lichfield.
Felix Osborne won the Christmas card competition held by the Mayor &
Sheriff of Lichfield in 2023.
Egle Kazdaileviciute, owner of Poquito,
has chosen to support We Love Lichfield
for 2024 (pictured with Simon Price of
cutlery firm Arthur Price).
Local man, Hayden Turvey, had all his hair cut off
and donated to support the Little Princess Trust
charity, raising £625 in the process.
The Leader of Lichfield District Council, Doug
Pullen, receives the Community Champion of
the Year Award on behalf of the Council from
The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian
Dudson.
Paul Shum Family Butchers in Yoxall appeared
on “Hairy Bikers - Coming Home for
Christmas” programme in December 2023.
28
The Hub at St Mary's at the Cathedral's Volunteer Fair.
Lichfield District Council Leader, Doug Pullen, and Cabinet Member for High Streets & Visitor
Economy, Janice Silvester-Hall, with members of Back the Track on The McClean Way at Brownhills.

29

Here at Just Granite Ltd, we pride ourselves on being the experts for any worktop needs you may have.
Be it a beautiful bespoke and unique kitchen worktop, a bar, bathroom or even a barbecue area, we have
an extensive in-house range ready to be chosen by you! We stock a varied range, in a variety of materials,
such as our own competitively priced quartz, granite, marble and porcelain, as well as all the top brands
from around the world.
There really is no reason to go anywhere else!
Win a Granite Chopping Board
If you require our services please do not hesitate
to call us on 01785 711096 or email your quote
request to stef@justgranite.ltd.uk
With the largest variety of natural stones in the Midlands, the
solid slabs are kept on-site and are available for a virtual viewing
from 9am-5pm on Monday to Friday. Located at The Stone
Works, Pillaton Hall Farm, Penkridge, ST19 5RZ.
We’ve got a bespoke Chopping Board (in the
colour of your choice) to give away! To be in
with a chance of winning this magnificent prize,
simply answer the following question correctly:
Where does the supply
of granite come from?
a) Spain
b) Italy
c) Germany
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to Just
Granite Competition at competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your
entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield WS14 4JS by
the closing date of 18th March 2023 One entry per household.
Multiple entries will be disqualified. No cash equivalent. Please note
you must be 18 or over to enter. All entrants’ information is
processed in line with GDPR Data Protection Regulations and our
Privacy Policy (available at citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk).
Full t&cs on page 50.
30

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33

Paul Martyn
Treat someone you love with this
beautiful White Ceramic Rabbit. Find this,
plus a large selection of other gifts, at
Paul Martyn Furniture, Heart of the
Country Shopping Village,
Swinfen, WS14 9QR.
Tel: 01543 481592.
www.paulmartynfurniture.co.uk
Allen Brown Jewellery
Stunning 9ct yellow gold, ruby and
diamond cufflinks for the man in your life!
Priced at £915 and available from Allen
Brown Jewellery located at Heart of the
Country Shopping Village, Swinfen, WS14
9QR. Tel: 01543 481 948.
www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk
Jewellery With Life
Emily Jane is passionate about creating her
pieces as much by hand as possible; making
each piece truly unique, just like you. This
silver twist ring (made to order) is the
perfect gift to give a loved one at
Valentine’s! Priced at £25 and available from
www.jewellerywithlife.co.uk or join the
Instagram community at
@emilyjanedesigner
Valentine’s
Gift Guide
City Jewellers
The perfect gift for the love of your life,
this Shaun Leane entwined tusk heart
pendant is available in a range of colours,
with prices starting from £225 to £275.
Available from City Jewellers, Bore
Street, Lichfield.
Treat your loved one to something
special this year with our selection
of fabulously unique gifts from local
retailers.
Allen Brown Jewellery
These silver and gold-plated moonstone
earrings, priced at £96, make a beautiful
Valentine’s gift. Available from Allen Brown
Jewellery located at Heart of the Country
Shopping Village, Swinfen, WS14 9QR.
Tel: 01543 481 948.
www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk
34
Michael's Menswear
Wilson & Sloane
100% cotton long sleeve
WAS £79.95
NOW £49.95 and available from
Michael's Menswear, 14 Market Street.
Tel: 01543 262264.
Needwood Living
New Chalk Home collection available at the
Tutbury store, Soap Bar & Dish £8
Room spray £18
Hand & Body Wash £20
Hand & Body Lotion £21
Jar Candle £45, Room Diffuser £22
Available from Needwood Living, Alrewas,
Tutbury & Barton. Tel: 01283 711272.
www.needwoodliving.co.uk
ES Jewellery
Make someone feel on cloud nine this
Valentine's Day with this romantic Nomination
Love Cloud necklace. Priced at £59 and
available from ES Jewellery, Tamworth Street,
Lichfield.
www.esjewellery.co.uk

35

Six New Walking
Routes in
Cannock Chase
Combat the New Year blues by exploring six new walking trails
in Staffordshire’s stunning Cannock Chase National
Landscape.
The new trails have varying lengths and difficulties and are suited for
a range of abilities so there is something for everyone.
Each new trail has its own leaflet, which maps out the route and
provides interesting facts about the sights walkers will encounter. They
are available to download online, can be picked up from Cannock Chase
Visitor Centre and have been developed with the help of the
Staffordshire Ramblers.
The six new routes are as follows:
• Wolseley and the Trent Valley – 6.5 miles long - approximately 2.5
hours.
• Tixall and Shugborough – 5.5 miles – approximately 2 hours or
alternative option of 7.5 miles – approximately 2.75 hours.
• Sow Valley – 8.25 miles – approximately 3 hours.
• Rugeley and Cannock Chase Forest – 9.25 miles – approximately
3.5 hours.
• Around Castle Ring and Beaudesert Old Park – 5.25 miles -
approximately 2 hours.
• Around Rugeley Camp and Fairoak Valley – 4.75 miles -
approximately 2 hours.
To help residents plan their visits to Cannock Chase, National
Landscapes have produced video tours for six short accessible trails in
Milford Common, RAF Hednesford and Brindley Heath.
These trails range from 1.25 miles to 2.25 miles and are estimated to
take between one and two hours to complete.
These videos can be found on the Cannock Chase National
Landscape website at www.cannock-chase.co.uk.
Staffordshire County Council (SCC) is part of the Cannock Chase
National Landscape partnership, which brings together local authorities,
statutory agencies, landowners and community representatives to
conserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty.
Cannock Chase Country Park is managed by the county council.
Environmental
Health Officer
Apprenticeship
Image by Sam Carpenter
Lichfield District Council is offering a fantastic opportunity for
someone to train to become an environmental health officer
through a new graduate apprenticeship.
The role involves attending the University of Wolverhampton for one
day each week to complete a BSc (Hons) in environmental health and
spending the remainder of each week working across the council’s
Regulation & Enforcement Service.
The salary is £27,334-£29,777, there are no tuition fees to pay, and
the five-year apprenticeship will lead to becoming a Registered
Environmental Health Practitioner.
There is no other career like being an environmental health officer. A
typical week for the council’s environmental health officers might
include inspecting a takeaway business and awarding their food hygiene
rating, questioning a suspect involved in waste offences, making
enquiries into a taxi driver accused of overcharging, investigating a
serious accident at a local warehouse, giving evidence in court in a
prosecution against a rogue landlord, raiding a puppy farm and seizing
dogs that are suffering and organising a funeral for someone who died
with no relatives.
It might also include working to contain an outbreak of an infectious
disease, visiting pubs and clubs to ensure they follow the conditions of
their licence, inspecting a riding school to check it is safe and the horses
are cared for, responding to a complaint about noisy neighbours,
monitoring local air quality, inspecting a rented property to ensure it is
free from damp and mould, and much more.
The council are holding an informal open evening on Wednesday 7th
February 2024, 6pm-7.30pm, at the District Council House in Frog
Lane, Lichfield. To register to attend the open evening, please visit
https://forms.office.com/e/929dZqWrGF.
More details about the opportunity, and the application process, can
be found at https://www.wmjobs.co.uk/job/185293/apprenticeenvironmental-health-officer.
36

37

Lichfield
Camera Club
Talented photographers from Lichfield Camera Club will be
exhibiting their images at the annual Winter Exhibition over the
following month. The exhibition, which runs from 6th February to
9th March, can be seen at The Hub on the first floor of St. Mary’s
Centre in Lichfield’s Market Square from Tuesday to Saturday
9:30am - 2:30pm. Entry is free and visitors will be able to see a
range of beautiful landscapes, still life, and portraits along with
more quirky images. In order to showcase as many images as
possible, the exhibits will change to a different set mid-February,
with many of the images being up for sale which makes a unique
gift for someone special.
Paint box Defrosting at Cannock Chase
A flavour of what can be seen is shown below:
Lichfield Camera Club welcomes photographers of all abilities.
Further details of the club’s activities can be found on the website at
www.lichfieldcameraclub.org.
Birmingham Roundhouse
Pasque Flower
Paint box colours
Face Off
Blea Tarn
Blea Buttermere Pines
38

39

Feel the Power
Advertorial
With decades of experience, plus a new showroom
location to boot, Lichfield Lighting is so much more than
your average lighting retailer.
As a family-run entity, not only can the firm provide a series of lighting
solutions for your home, office and exterior, but it also operates sister
company MJP Eco Energy – a provider of sustainable power solutions
too… but more about that later!
Formerly situated on Stafford Road, Lichfield Lighting moved location
to its Britannia Enterprise Park base back in October 2023, and now
features a stunning showroom filled with a plethora of innovative lamps
and lighting, catering to every whim, style and budget imaginable! From
grandiose drop pendant chandeliers to modern bathroom ensembles to
exterior lamps, and from traditional to contemporary to the downright
outlandish – there is certainly something for everyone.
Venture upstairs and the ‘energy’ shifts from the illuminating world of
lighting to the planet-saving crusade that is solar power! MJP Eco Energy,
however, is not merely a supplier of solar panels and electric vehicle (EV)
charging points… with more than 50 years’ worth of combined
expertise in the eco energy space, not only will the experienced team
asses your property for suitability (either by paying you a visit or
providing an electronic in-store quote via clever online software), they
will also advise, provide, and fully fit the ideal energy package that is
personally tailored to meet your specific needs and requirements… and
all at a highly competitive price – a one-stop-energy-shop, if you please!
Solar PV installations are not only supplied and installed, but MCS
commissioned, whilst electric vehicle (EV) charging point installations are
fully handled too, from
informing the DNO
to handing over the
installation, and then
there’s the supply and
installation of battery
storage systems…
everything is looked
after from start to
finish by the team of
electricians that work
directly for MJP and
who have all been through a rigorous process to ensure that they have
the relevant training and can carry out the work to the highest standard.
Finally, the firm’s headquarters also houses Bespoke Electrical Training
- a fully regulated training academy, providing the skills and qualifications
to other local companies within the industry who need their staff to gain
the necessary know-how for the job.
From the exceptional lighting showroom to the renewable renegades,
not forgetting the academy of energy excellence, Lichfield Lighting and
MJP Eco Energy is a veritable power force that is well worth a visit!
Find the showroom at 4 Titan Way, Britannia Enterprise Park,
Lichfield, WS14 9TT. Tel: 01543 897195.
40

Free Will
with Air
Ambulance
Charity
Research shows that more than a third of UK
adults do not have a will, therefore Midlands Air
Ambulance Charity is opening its free will writing
service to those aged 50 and above for the first time
to encourage more people to think about their
financial planning.
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has taken the decision
to lower the eligible age to 50, down from 55, to help
more residents get their affairs in order.
The Free Will Writing Scheme is offered by the charity
in partnership with several local legal firms. Solicitors that
are taking part in the scheme in Staffordshire include:
• GloverPriest Solicitors (Lichfield), Brooke House, 24
Dam Street, Lichfield, WS13 6AA.
• GloverPriest Solicitors (Tamworth), 43 Albert Road,
Tamworth, B79 7JS.
• Rutherfords LLP, Ventura House, Ventura Park Road,
Tamworth B78 3HL.
Time is critical: The sooner a patient receives enhanced
pre-hospital emergency care on-scene, the greater their
chances of survival and the better their outcome.
Midlands Air Ambulance aims to bring that level of care
to them, wherever they are, as soon as possible. In
2020/21 the average time to a patient was just ten
minutes.
The charity’s three aircraft each carry a crew
comprising a pilot, two paramedics or flight doctors plus
full life-support medical equipment. The fleet of critical
care cars each have critical care paramedics on-board
with full life-support medical equipment.
Each year it costs between £13-14 million just to keep
the three charity helicopters and fleet of critical care cars
operational. Each air ambulance mission costs £2,950 on
average and each critical care car mission costs £288,
which is entirely funded by the generosity of the public
and local businesses.
Find out more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s
free will writing service by visiting
www.midlandsairambulance.com/freewillscheme and
following the organisation on social media.
41

In the Spotlight…
This month, Citylife catches up with David Mills and Charlotte Kedge of
Lichfield Arts community jazz band, ASpire.
42
• To begin with, could you tell us a little bit about
yourself.
I’m David Mills, the current chairman of ASpire, definitely through
no musical ability I can assure you! I love being involved and, being
happily retired, I have the time to give and love a project. I was a
member of the former jazz band 'Blast Off' under the guidance of
talent-ed local musician Nick Dewhurst. Sadly, Covid meant the band
couldn't continue for several years and at a chance meeting with a
couple of former members sometime later we decid-ed to reform a
community jazz band - this time called ASpire. The name reflects both
the spire city of Lichfield and our aspirations to grow and develop.
We leave the arranging and composing to our musical director,
Miss Charlie Kedge. Having completed her studies at Birmingham
Conservatoire Charlie has led the band from our very first rehearsal
in May 2022.
We now number around 25 members. New members are welcome
however we always need to keep in mind the balance of how many
and what instruments we have.
• Can you tell us, in your own words, what it is you
do?
ASpire was set up with financial support from Lichfield Arts as an
outreach project to pro-vide somewhere for local amateur musicians
from all backgrounds to meet, play together and develop their
musical skills. We meet most Wednesdays at The Bowling Green to
re-hearse and we must thank General Manager, James Crichton, for
providing the function room free for us to use.
This year has been busy for the band. We have played at Lichfield
Guildhall for a tribute to Lichfield Arts founder Brian Pretty; in a yard
at the back of BitterSuite for the Jazz and Blues Festival; in a marquee
at the Fuse Festival on Beacon Park; and on a farm - don't ask! Well,
it was a folk festival and an interesting gig for a jazz band.
We were also pleased to be asked by Whittington School to play at
their Christmas Fayre. To round the year off we played a few jazzy
Christmas tunes at The Bowling the week be-fore Christmas.
• How did you get into the industry? Has this always
been a passion of yours?
This was a complete change for me as Chairman of a jazz band. My
previous jobs were all in finance, although I always had an interest in
music having learned to play the trombone at school. This was a
heaven-sent opportunity for me to get back into music.
With around 25 members we have all come from a variety of
backgrounds - we have a po-lice officer, several teachers, a retired GP,
local government officers, an officer in the TA, a nurse and a retired
accountant. All members have their own reasons for being part of the
band and all share a love of music.
• Can you describe your musical style for us? Has this
changed or evolved at all over time?
I think this best answered by our Musical Director. Charlie over to
you.
Charlie: We as a band cover a broad range of styles. We enjoy
playing arrangements of popular 1930s swing era jazz standards such
as ‘Stompin’ at the Savoy’ and ‘You and the Night and the Music’.
However, we also adore diving into interesting rhythms and colours
with arrangements of Latin American tunes such as Enric
Madrigueras’ ‘Adios’. Recently we have delved into music that has a
modern funky twist with completely new tunes composed specifically
for ASpire by myself as Musical Director.
• Which artists inspire and influence you the most,
both growing up and now?
A big influence on the arrangements for the band would be 1930s
classic artists such as Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and Ella
Fitzgerald. The band takes influence form the classic big band style of
writing. Broadway and film also play a role in influencing the bands
repertoire, taking songs such as ‘On the Street Where You Live’ by
Frederick Loewe from the classic musical ‘My Fair Lady’ and arranging
it to suit the band. Modern influences on ASpire would also involve
other big bands including The Birdland Big Band and Mingus Big Band
who both have fresh takes on classic tunes.
• How important do you feel that music as an art
form is to society?
For members of the band, it is a feeling of belonging, an
opportunity to get better and, last-ly, of providing entertainment. I
would also add something I strongly believe in is the sup-port which
we give to the lovely community of Lichfield and we have many plans
to expand that support going
forward.
On behalf of myself and Charlie,
many thanks to Lichfield Arts for the
continued support they have given
and we look forward to a busy and
musical 2024.
Visit www.lichfieldarts.org.uk to
find out more about ASpire.

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Sunday Acoustic
Lounge: Celebrating
The Songwriters
Following the sell-out success of last season’s Acoustic Lounge
Sessions, Lichfield Actor/Producer Tom Roberts and Musical
Director, Gladstone Wilson, returned to The Hub at St
Mary’s in January with some amazing guest vocalists for an
evening devoted to some of the greatest singer songwriters of
our time.
With stunning tributes to artists including James Taylor, Carole King,
Carly Simon, Fleetwood Mac, Adele and many more, the talented
vocalists stunned the packed audience at the intimate venue which is
fast becoming a firm Lichfield favourite!
Dave Monks opened the show with his rendition of ‘They Can’t Take
That Away From Me’ by George and Ira Gershwin which warmed the
crowd up nicely and got everyone toe tapping along.
Next Bryan Brindley, a local singer/songwriter who performs across
the Midlands as a solo act upped the ante with a Crowded House
classic. Tamworth-based Bryan has previously supported T’Pau and this
year will see him open for Chesney Hawkes and Toploader with a set
including covers from across the decades with his main influences
being the Beatles, Crowded House and Oasis.
With the voice of an angel, Clare Andress brought the audience to
tears with an Adele cover, which showcased her powerful voice. Having
worked in musical theatre and tribute bands touring all over the world,
Clare is no stranger to the limelight and is currently performing as the
voice of ‘Frida’ with one of Europe’s most successful ABBA tribute
bands.
Sarah Riches, a Staffordshire-based independent singer-songwriter
and recording artist, performed songs from The Carpenters and
Beverly Craven with her smooth melodic vocals which are reminiscent
of Olivia Newton John.
Future shows are already confirmed with Love Is In The Air, featuring
an evening of love songs, taking place on 25th February. Tickets are
available online at www.thehubstmarys.co.uk or from The Hub on
Market Square.
Garrick Celebrates
Christmas Ticket
Appeal Success
Courtesy of Pamela Raith Photography
The Lichfield Garrick Arts Charity is overjoyed to announce
the resounding success of its recent Christmas Ticket
Appeal project, showcasing the incredible power of our
local community in making a meaningful impact.
This heartwarming initiative garnered support from 28 local
businesses and 1089 individual Garrick audiences, who generously
contributed to providing 478 tickets to children facing various
challenges – be it trauma, loss, or financial barriers. The donated tickets
were distributed through esteemed local charities, including Lichfield
Foodbank, Pathway Project, Spark Burntwood, The National Deaf
Children’s Society, and Change Grow Live.
Lichfield Garrick extends heartfelt gratitude to the local businesses,
including Crown Highways, Lichfield Design and Construction, SLC
Rail, Richard Winterton Auctioneers, Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, White
House Print & Design, Barratt Homes, Adcocks Solicitors, Advantage
House, Allen Brown Jewellery, Ansons Solicitors, Birch Hosting,
Bluebird Care, Bowbrook Financial Planning, Central England Co-Op,
Duke of York pub, Elmia Sports Massage Therapy, Friary Shows, Hardy
Signs, Howden Insurance, Hunnypot Cottage Bakery, Jono’s Tourism,
Lichfield Advanced Motorists, Lichfield Chamber of Trade and
Commerce, Mercia Farmers Market, Palletways UK, PI-KEM, The
Listening Centre, and their patrons, for their incredible generosity.
Together, we've made a profound difference in our community, creating
magical moments for those who needed them the most. To all who
donated, please take a well-deserved bow.
This year's pantomime witnessed record-breaking attendance, with
nearly 40,000 people revelling in the joy of the show. The Garrick
eagerly anticipates welcoming back these attendees for this year's
enchanting production of "Jack in The Beanstalk," starting 22nd
November 2024.
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Burntwood
Yoga Business
Turns Two
The Wellbeing and Wellness Coach, based in
Burntwood, is celebrating a major milestone: its
second anniversary! Since its launch in January
2022, the organisation’s team have empowered
countless individuals in the community to take charge of
their mental and physical health, building a reputation
for a friendly, welcoming approach, personalised
guidance, and real, tangible results.
The Wellbeing and Wellness Coach was founded on the
belief that everyone deserves access to tools and support for
achieving holistic wellbeing. It offers a range of services
including yoga classes, mindfulness and meditation, wellness
workshops, and one-to-one support.
One-to-one coaching enables people to find a unique
solution in a wide range of areas including stress
management, habit change and managing conditions such as
anxiety and depression. Lead coach and founder, Susan
Jackson, also supports people in overcoming fatigue
conditions including long Covid and Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. The unique approach blends evidence-based
techniques with a deep understanding of individual needs and
challenges, leading to lasting positive changes in clients' lives.
In just two years, The Wellbeing and Wellness Coach has
established itself as a valuable resource for the Burntwood
community, empowering individuals to prioritise their
wellbeing and build healthier, happier lives. As the company
enters its third year, the team looks forward to continuing to
make a positive impact, one client at a time.
To mark its second anniversary, The Wellbeing and
Wellness Coach is offering 50% off the first month of any
new monthly yoga class subscription package taken out
before the end of January. To take advantage of this offer
simply visit the memberships page on website
www.thewellbeingandwellnesscoach.com and use the code
50OFF against any of the packages listed.
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What’s On
Promote your event in our What’s On guide and reach over 16,000
homes and businesses for only £20 for businesses and £10 for charities.
Entries must be 50 words maximum. To book contact Rebecca Hill
07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Please clearly mark your email ‘What’s On Lichfield'.
Wednesday 14th February
Lichfield u3a
On the second Wednesday of each month,
Lichfield u3a holds its monthly meetings.
This month, it’s theme is ‘Jewels and
Precious Stones’. Refreshments are
included. Everyone is welcome.
Venue: Lichfield Guildhall
Time: 2pm
Please book your place by emailing
lichfieldu3a@gmail.com or leaving a
message on 07510 634476.
Tues 20th & Weds 21st February
Oh What A Lovely War
Blackeyed Theatre’s critically acclaimed
revival is touring the UK. Marking the 60th
anniversary of Joan Littlewood’s famous
satirical musical, this award-nominated
production is a hilarious, shocking and
poignant exploration of human conflict. Set
in WWI, this production contains rollicking
razor-sharp satire condemning violence
and war, and remains as timely in 2024 as
it was in the 1960s.
Venue: Garrick Theatre
Price: Tickets £23.
Visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com for further
info and booking.
Sunday 25th February
Sunday Acoustic Lounge
Valentine’s Day may have come and gone,
but Cupid hasn’t left the building! Feast on
some of the best love songs around, all
served up by a wonderful line-up of
singers (to be announced).
Venue: The Hub at St Mary’s
Time: 6.30pm
Tickets available from
www.thehubstmarys.co.uk.
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Friday 1st March
Christina Martin – Storm
Photo by Cherakee Andresen
Canadian powerhouse musician Christina
Martin will be touring her latest album
Storm. With her vocal stylings receiving
comparisons to the likes of Stevie Nicks,
Emmylou Harris and Sarah McLachlan and
positive album reviews aplenty for Storm,
including from titles such as RnR Magazine
and Fireworks Magazine, Christina is a
compelling performer not to be missed as
she visits intimate venues around the UK.
Venue: The Bank Coffeehouse, Alrewas
Further information and tickets available
from www.christinamartin.net/tour-dates.
Saturday 2nd March
Reflections
The City of Birmingham Choir is delighted
to be coming to Lichfield Cathedral to
perform for the first time in its 100-year
history. The concert 'Reflections' features
Haydn's Stabat Mater, Bach's Cantata 12
and Albinoni Adagio in G minor.
Founded in 1921, the Choir has been a
stalwart of Birmingham’s musical life,
performing a wide range of classical and
modern music in Town Hall and the iconic
Symphony Hall, often accompanied by the
CBSO.
Venue: Lichfield Cathedral
Time: 7pm
Price: £20 (concessions available).
Visit www.citychoir.org.uk for details and
to book.
Saturday 16th March
Bach: B Minor Mass
Come and hear Bach’s supreme
masterpiece in Lichfield Cathedral by
Birmingham Festival Choral Society. With
Emilia Morton (Soprano), Martha
McLorinan (Mezzo soprano), Jack Granby
(Tenor), Florian Störtz (Bass). The Musical
and Amicable Society. Kevin Gill (organ)
and David Wynne (conductor).
Venue: Lichfield Cathedral
Time: 7.30pm
Saturday 16th March
Lichfield Waterworks Trust
The Trust will be doing a repeat
performance of Sandfields – The Musical.
The story of Sandfields and its Cornish
pumping engine performed sea shantystyle
by Lichfield Lighthouse Company.
Hot drinks, beer and wine bar available.
This is a fundraising event for Lichfield
Waterworks Trust and the RNLI.
Venue: Sandfields Pumping Station,
Chesterfield Road
Time: 7:30pm.
Price: Tickets are priced at £10 and
available from Eventbrite.

Local Life Coach
Gets Boost
T
he owner of a new coaching company in Lichfield is
benefiting from fully funded expert support to
grow.
The Get Started and Grow Scheme, part funded by the
UK government, has now supported over 200 new
Staffordshire businesses by offering expert help in a range
of areas including social media, accountancy, HR and legal
advice.
One of those businesses is nutritional health, fitness and
wellness coaching business, Anna-Louise Coaching who’s
Director, Anna-Louise Powell, reached out to the County
Council after going into her coaching work full-time and
taking more of her business online.
Anna-Louise Coaching works with women who - in their
efforts to juggle their homes, careers, families and social
lives – have found themselves developing a poor
relationship with food, health and fitness. She offers a
holistic approach for her clients’ wellbeing from stress and
dietary management to sleep support, physical activity and
hormone regulation.
Any Staffordshire business up to five years old can get
personalised support from the Get Started and Grow
Scheme. The scheme’s support packages are delivered by
leading industry experts and are completely free of charge.
For more information or to apply for the scheme, visit
www.staffordshire.gov.uk.
47

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49

CLASSIFIED
To Advertise call:-
Steve Brown 07740 166497
stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com
Rebecca Hill 07970 513144
rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Mike James 07900 982456
mikejamescitylife@gmail.com
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50
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