http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/ culture, restaurant reviews, birmingham post, art, music, jazz, ballet, opera, rock, pop en-gb Trinity Mirror 2012 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:19:56 GMT Birmingham Post no culture, restaurant reviews, birmingham post, art, music, jazz, ballet, opera, rock, pop culture, restaurant reviews, birmingham post, art, music, jazz, ballet, opera, rock, pop http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/13/helen-cross-putting-right-the-wrongs-of-my-first-first-novel-65233-30322832/ The Birmingham Post’s Richard McComb is attending Tindal Street Press’s first creative writing masterclass. Here, guest tutor and award-winning Birmingham author Helen Cross explains the experience of getting her first novel published

]]> Birmingham Post Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:55:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/13/helen-cross-putting-right-the-wrongs-of-my-first-first-novel-65233-30322832/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/13/track-and-field-and-glamour-shoots-for-olympic-hopeful-louise-hazel-65233-30321805/ Olympic athlete Louise Hazel is one of Britain's model sportswomen. Just don’t ask her about make-up, writes Richard McComb.

]]> Birmingham Post Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:38:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/13/track-and-field-and-glamour-shoots-for-olympic-hopeful-louise-hazel-65233-30321805/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/09/garden-watch-the-jerusalem-artichoke-65233-30293109/ Its botanical name is Helianthus tuberosus, making it a close relative of the annual sunflower, as can be seen from its habit - it will reach 6ft or more – and its foliage.

]]> Birmingham Post Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/09/garden-watch-the-jerusalem-artichoke-65233-30293109/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/get-to-know-your-drinks-at-birmingham-whisky-club-65233-30245135/ Do you know your whisky from your whiskey? Your blends from your single malts? Mary Griffin finds a new night class offering guidance to Birmingham's whisky novices.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:24:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/get-to-know-your-drinks-at-birmingham-whisky-club-65233-30245135/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/time-for-birmingham-to-join-the-international-food-wine-society-65233-30245264/ Gastronomy professor Alan Harrison tells Richard McComb why the time is right for a dining culture club.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:14:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/time-for-birmingham-to-join-the-international-food-wine-society-65233-30245264/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/lion-hotel-in-shrewsbury-keeping-the-tradition-of-coaching-inns-alive-65233-30245853/ They were the motorway service stations of their day but now there are precious few coaching inns left for us to enjoy, as Chris Upton discovers.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:01:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/lion-hotel-in-shrewsbury-keeping-the-tradition-of-coaching-inns-alive-65233-30245853/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/the-devil-is-in-the-detail-when-it-comes-to-writing-your-novel-65233-30245399/ In the second part of the Birmingham Post's series on the art of novel writing, author Josie Barnard, course leader for Tindal Street Press's new masterclasses, examines the importance of knowing your setting with reference to Joseph Conrad.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/the-devil-is-in-the-detail-when-it-comes-to-writing-your-novel-65233-30245399/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/our-lovable-hedgehogs-are-disappearing-65233-30253316/ The lovable hedgehog is disappearing at an alarming rate. Liam Creedon explains how you can help to reverse the trend.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/03/our-lovable-hedgehogs-are-disappearing-65233-30253316/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/baftas-hair-stylist-charles-worthington-shares-his-top-tips-65233-30246444/ As he celebrates 25 years in hairdressing, Charles Worthington, official hairdresser at the BAFTAs, shares his tips for recreating red carpet glamour at home.

]]> Birmingham Post Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/baftas-hair-stylist-charles-worthington-shares-his-top-tips-65233-30246444/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/fashion-get-the-wallis-simpson-look-65233-30247584/ DRESSES nipped in at the waist, prim-collared frocks and knee-length skirts are all over the high street this spring.

]]> Birmingham Post Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/fashion-get-the-wallis-simpson-look-65233-30247584/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/fortunately-for-audiences-comedian-dave-spikey-has-come-a-long-way-from-his-first-birmingham-gig-65233-30247585/ That was memorable for all the wrong reasons. While most comics get to hone their craft in front of a handful of people in a room over a pub, Dave’s early effort was broadcast to millions of viewers.

]]> Birmingham Post Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/fortunately-for-audiences-comedian-dave-spikey-has-come-a-long-way-from-his-first-birmingham-gig-65233-30247585/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/everybody-loves-hedgehogs-alongside-puppies-baby-elephants-and-bruce-forsyth-they-bask-in-the-warmth-of-being-universally-adored-by-all-65233-30247586/ The sight and snuffling, chortling sound of them lumbering around the flower beds on a warm summer evening is a lovely sight to see.

]]> Birmingham Post Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/everybody-loves-hedgehogs-alongside-puppies-baby-elephants-and-bruce-forsyth-they-bask-in-the-warmth-of-being-universally-adored-by-all-65233-30247586/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/top-model-laura-bailey-has-been-named-as-the-new-brand-ambassador-and-face-of-radley-s-new-spring-summer-12-campaign-65233-30247587/ Lorraine Pringle, the brand director, said they picked Laura to represent the much-loved premium handbags with the distinctive terrier logo because of her “natural and effortless style”. Lorraine said: “She is a modern woman who juggles work, family and life and always manages to look amazing.” Laura, who can be relied on to bring a Grace Kelly-esque touch of class to any campaign, has more than just a mannequin’s string to her bow. The mother-of-two is also a writer, contributing editor for British Vogue and Cultural ambassador for the BFC (British Fashion Council).

]]> Birmingham Post Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/02/02/top-model-laura-bailey-has-been-named-as-the-new-brand-ambassador-and-face-of-radley-s-new-spring-summer-12-campaign-65233-30247587/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/27/a-novel-approach-at-the-tindal-street-press-writing-masterclass-65233-30197731/ Has Richard McComb got a blockbuster novel in him? He's about to find out at a new writing masterclass in Birmingham.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:01:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/27/a-novel-approach-at-the-tindal-street-press-writing-masterclass-65233-30197731/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/26/raphael-selbourne-s-road-to-costa-literary-success-with-beauty-65233-30200052/ Costa First Novel winner Raphael Selbourne looks back at writing Beauty

]]> Birmingham Post Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/26/raphael-selbourne-s-road-to-costa-literary-success-with-beauty-65233-30200052/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/steve-bloomer-football-s-first-superstar-65233-30149965/ Chris Upton reflects on the life of a Midland footballer who became the game's first superstar.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:22:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/steve-bloomer-football-s-first-superstar-65233-30149965/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/a-tasty-recipe-for-a-the-chinese-new-year-celebrations-65233-30149868/ Richard McComb talks to Chinese food specialist Brian Yip about the feasting and symbolism of Chinese New Year.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:21:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/a-tasty-recipe-for-a-the-chinese-new-year-celebrations-65233-30149868/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/sewing-cafe-culture-in-birmingham-with-an-itch-to-stitch-65233-30150062/ Needlework needed a new image – and seamstress Sheila-May Green had an idea brewing. Diane Parkes finds out why her cafe club is oh-sew special.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:02:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/sewing-cafe-culture-in-birmingham-with-an-itch-to-stitch-65233-30150062/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/finding-the-stomach-for-home-made-haggis-on-burns-night-65233-30158145/ To celebrate Burns Night Mary Griffin rose to the challenge of creating a homemade haggis - the ultimate in thrift food.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:01:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/finding-the-stomach-for-home-made-haggis-on-burns-night-65233-30158145/ Post Features true http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/raising-many-a-fine-glass-at-the-decanter-encounters-65233-30149817/ Clive Platman enjoys a cut-price tasting of quality vintages.

]]> Birmingham Post Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2012/01/20/raising-many-a-fine-glass-at-the-decanter-encounters-65233-30149817/ Post Features true