Actor and proud Midlander, Siân Brooke talks about the joy of playing Grace Ellis in Blue Lights, dealing with imposter syndrome and how finding a thriving local amateur dramatic scene as a youngster was a springboard to success You might know Siân Brooke from hit BBC One series Blue Lights of which series two is about to air. But in truth it could be from any number of performances on stage and screen. Siân has starred in an impressive clutch of top TV shows, including Apple TV’s touching and funny series Trying, as well as Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch in which she played Holmes’s evil ..read more

From sales manager to snapper, Paul Hassell made the leap 13 years ago and has found success and fulfilment in spades Paul Hassell is a people person – warm, chatty, friendly, interesting and crucially, interested. While sales and photography aren’t obvious bedfellows, the qualities that made Paul flourish in a sales environment for decades also puts people at ease in the studio making for pleasing final outcomes. He says: “From the outset, I knew that my interest in photography was going to be based around people and therefore my work is story driven. I love to hear the story and journey of t ..read more

Born in Sutton Coldfield, Tom Shepherd has worked in some of the UK’s finest kitchens, including Adam’s in Birmingham, before launching his own restaurant Upstairs by Tom Shepherd in Lichfield in 2021 where he was awarded a Michelin star only four months after opening. Tom is also one of three new trustees to join the board of ambitious national charity Kids’ Village. The charity is raising £5million to build the UK’s first holiday village to provide free breaks for critically ill children and their families in Wychnor. Tell us about your cooking I’d describe my style of cooking as seasonal-le ..read more

A viral video turned Anthony Madu’s life into a Disney film. Literally. Now living in Birmingham, we caught up with the talented dancer on the release of MADU, the film of his exceptional journey The last few years of Anthony Madu’s life read like a fairytale. It started with a video of him dancing in the rain barefoot in Lagos which became a worldwide sensation that led to a scholarship at Elmhurst Ballet School. Anthony didn’t think the video would have an impact and never contemplated millions of people all over the world watching it. He says: “I genuinely didn’t expect any response at all ..read more

Having a decent local boozer is not to be underestimated. We’re not exaggerating when we say it can improve the quality of your life and potentially bump up the price of your house. If you’re lucky enough to have a gem like The Plough on your doorstep, you’re winning. We popped in for lunch and found much more than pub grub and a pint. With a mixed crowd including solo diners working on laptops, yummy mummies with bairns in buggies and groups of mates tucking in, it was a lively affair despite being an average Wednesday. ECLECTIC MIX The menu’s equally mixed. Classic pub dishes like burgers, p ..read more

OMG! It’s starting to get warmer and finally it feels like summer is on the way. Which means it time to get swimming Widely regarded as one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise, swimming is also a fantastic, fun way to help improve your heart rate and blood flow and maintain a healthy weight. But the health benefits don’t just end there. Here’s just a few reasons why you should spend large parts of this summer submerged. Increased Muscle Tone and Strength As water is much denser than air, swimming is a far more effective way of toning your muscles than any other form of cardiovascular exerc ..read more

The CEO of Edward’s Trust, Clare Martin, leads a vital charity that supports children, young people and families facing loss and surviving bereavement across the West Midlands BEEN THERE, DONE THAT I’ve been a part of Edward’s Trust for 12 years, going from volunteer, to patron, trustee and CEO. I’m a solicitor, although non-practising now, and was based in Birmingham for eight years before moving to Devon and then to Oxford. Despite relocation and a career break from law, I kept working with Edward’s Trust as I am passionate about their vital work in the West Midlands. IT’S WHAT I DO Edward’s ..read more

A perfect combination of two Italian spirits that evokes the streets of Venice This cheeky number come from the mixologists at the Verve Lounge, a new cocktail bar on Mailbox canal that opened last month in the home of the old Bobby Brown’s nightclub. The Venetian takes the Spritz to a whole new level by combining two key Italian spirits and showcasing how they can sing a song that will fill the streets of Venice. But as always, please enjoy responsibly. Ingredients: • 25ml Amaro Montenegro • 15ml Italicus • 10ml Lemon juice • 10ml Earl Grey Tea syrup • 50ml Prosecco Method: Mix together the A ..read more

More women die of heart disease than any other cause. Here’s 10 ways to lower the risk  It’s a sobering fact that heart disease is the No 1 threat to women in the UK. British Heart Foundation research suggest that women are twice as likely to die of coronary heart disease, the main cause of heart attack, as breast cancer. In fact, there are around 3.65 million women living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK and one in 14 women die from coronary heart disease Your heart is something that you can help, or hinder, every day of your life – so follow these top 10 tips to keep things ..read more

The countdown is on to one of the UK’s favourite gardening and flower shows, the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, which this year will be a hotbed of activity for houseplants. Adam Kirtland, who will be speaking and podcasting at the show, previews the big event As past readers will know – I’m a regular speaker at gardening and flower shows right across the UK and a constant favourite of mine is always the RHS Malvern Spring Festival at the start of May. This show provides plant fans with inspiration for their green spaces, no matter whether they’re outdoor… or indoor. Houseplants have been growin ..read more