In this issue we chat with Caroline O’Connor, investigate the dark truth behind the snakeskin trade, look at the best new restaurants in the area and much much more.

Click here to view the new issue online!

In this issue we chat with Paul Merton, investigate the dark truth behind the snakeskin trade, look at the Spring trends for men and women and much much more.

Follow the link to see the new issue!

http://viewer.zmags.co.uk/publication/e9f99eae#/e9f99eae/1

“Our new artistic strategy proudly places working with, and engaging with, our community at the heart of our organisation. Suba and Tim join the team at an exciting time for Curve. Their expertise will significantly increase our commitment to our public engagement programmes. They bring a wealth of experience with them and we are really thrilled to welcome them to the Curve team and to the City.” Fiona Allan, Chief Executive and Paul Kerryson, Artistic Director, Curve

Suba Das is a director of classical and site-specific work. Previously the youngest ever Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, he joins Curve’s Artistic Team following directorial projects with the Young Vic, the Almeida and Old Vic Tunnels.

“I’m delighted to be joining Curve. As an experimental theatre maker my work revolves around attracting non-traditional theatregoers to fantastic, immersive experiences. I hope to offer something of that to Leicester’s communities and find new and surprising ways to use the incredible architecture of Curve. I’m looking forward to discovering the astonishing local artists creating work, be that through drama, dance, music or visual arts; and finding ways in which Curve can both nurture and challenge its local creative community.” Suba Das, Associate Director, Community Engagement

Tim Ford joins Curve from The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. He brings a wealth of expertise especially in programming productions and activities for children, young people and family audiences. Tim previously worked as a director at Birmingham Rep and The Point Theatre and has also led many workshops and projects for the National Association of Youth Theatre’s, The National Youth Theatre and the National Student Drama Festival.

“Leicester is a young and vibrant city and I am really excited at the prospect of harnessing that creative energy both within our communities and in our fabulous building. This is an exciting time for Curve and Leicester and I am really delighted to be part of it.” Tim Ford, Associate Director, Participation and Learning

Both Associate Directors will direct projects as well as focus on developing a deeper and more artistically led engagement with Leicester’s Festivals and celebrations, expanding opportunities for community members to perform at Curve, strengthening artistic and audience development links and creating a programme of activity to animate Curve’s public spaces, including regular free foyer events and exhibitions.

Tim Ford will also lead Curve’s Young Arts Entrepreneurs project which the organisation secured a quarter of a million pounds of funding to run over the next three years.

We can’t wait to see what the new creative team has in store for us!

Both Associate Directors will direct projects as well as focus on developing a deeper and more artistically led engagement with Leicester’s Festivals and celebrations, expanding opportunities for community members to perform at Curve, strengthening artistic and audience development links and creating a programme of activity to animate Curve’s public spaces, including regular free foyer events and exhibitions.

Tim Ford will also lead Curve’s Young Arts Entrepreneurs project which the organisation secured a quarter of a million pounds of funding to run over the next three years.

We can’t wait to see what the new creative team has in store for us!

The first of three BTCC races on Sunday around Donington Park’s 1.9 mile long National Circuit saw Jason Plato (MG KX Momentum Racing) lose the lead early on from the pole position he had scored in Saturday qualifying to Rob Collard (eBay Motors BMW), but a later clash between the pair meant Mat Jackson (Redstone Racing Ford) came through to win – repeating the feat he achieved a year ago at Donington Park. It was a popular win, asJacksonlives locally in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire.

Race two saw more drama as Plato and Collard clashed again, causing Plato to fall out of contention and Collard also dropped back. Eventually,Jacksonwas overtaken by both Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing Team) and Honda team mate Matt Neal, with Shedden eventually scoring the win.

A dramatic first few laps in race three saw Dave Newsham (ES Racing Vauxhall) lead, beforeJacksontook over at the front. With so many incidents happening in the race, including a safety car period, it was hard to keep up with all the drama, but Jackson crossed the line first The weekend’s drama didn’t end there though, as post-race the officials excluded Jackson for a technical infringement, handing the win to Shedden, who had finished third on the road but was further promoted after Plato, who had crossed the line second, had a two-second penalty added to his time for contact with Shedden.

The large crowd was also treated to multiple support races throughout the weekend, from the other BTCC top championships including the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup and AirAsia Renault UK Clio Cup.

Speaking about the event, Donington Park managing director, Christopher Tate, commented: “It has been a thrilling weekend and to have so many fans here atDoningtonParkto watch the BTCC meeting is great. There’s been a really positive atmosphere and ticket sales easily surpassed the BTCC event in 2011 which is very encouraging for the rest of this Donington racing year. Due to our central location and excellent transport links, visitors have come from all over the country to witness another memorable weekend.

“With other high profile events such as European Truck Racing, World and British Superbikes and the European Le Mans Series coming up this year atDoningtonPark, I’m sure the crowds will continue to be enthralled throughout the 2012 season.”

Keep your eyes pealed for a massive Donington Park ticket giveaway!

Chris Jones, head of physiology at Nuffield Health, said: “Evidence tells us that keeping fit and healthy can benefit your performance at work, which may in turn impress the boss and help secure that much-wanted promotion.

“By doing regular exercise you help manage work-related pressures and help put in a better performance by better preparing your body for times of stress.

“At Nuffield Health we work with more than 1600 employers and have more than 200 corporate sites, helping to maintain healthy workforces across the country.”

Those workers earning above £31k workout at the gym just over twice as long as those earning under £20k. However, the figures dip slightly for those earning between £51 and £70K then rise once more to 2.6 hours a week for those earning between £71k and £100k.

This snapshot research concurs with a report by an American University that found people exercising 3 times a week could expect a salary between 6 and 9% greater than those who do not. The study from Cleveland State University, in Ohio examined more than 12,000 people.

The average UK employee takes 6.5 days of absence per year which amounts to a total loss of 190 million working days (CIPD 2010). And each year businesses lose on average around £600 per employee per year due to absenteeism and sickness.

Nuffield Health and Ashridge Business School are conducting research into how companies run effective employee wellbeing programmes. Based at Canary Wharf, where a large proportion of the UK’s £100k+ earners work, Nuffield’s new Medical Centre will assist large corporations in managing effective wellbeing programmes to help deliver healthy profits. Research by PriceWaterhouseCooper estimates that for every £1 invested in wellbeing a further £4 is returned.

The World Travel Awards serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry and have been cited as “the travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscar’s” by The Wall Street Journal.

Stapleford Park has been nominated for the first time and within three categories: England’s Leading Boutique Hotel, England’s Leading Resort and England’s Leading Golf Resort. They’ll compete head to head with hotels such as Blakes London, Bovey Castle, Chewton Glen, Clivedon House, Draycott Hotel and The Grove, to name a few. The winner will be announced at a European Gala Ceremony later in the year.

“We are delighted with the three nominations, which we feel reflects all the hard work and dedication put into Stapleford Park by the team over the last 12 months. If we continue to secure the support from our guests in voting for these awards, we would hope to be considered as a strong contender.” commented Shuif Hussain, Director.

Congratulations again, well deserved! Check out the hotel here.

The new arrival of the private dining area, which will be finished towards the end of May 2012 and will seat up to a further 70 guests, more people than ever before will be able to enjoy this luxury North Indian restaurant and bar.

Pushkar’s Creative Director, Rai Singh explains:

“I’ve wanted this from day one so to be actually expanding feels amazing. Myself and all the team have worked so hard for this and we feel that this expansion is a testament to our hard work and the Pushkar brand – I really feel that Pushkar is truly setting the standard for others to follow and that our new dining area will be very popular with private parties, corporate events and functions. We’d also like to thank everyone who has supported us so far.”

Taking place on Saturday 16th June on Birmingham’s Fazeley Canal, 22 teams from the city’s business community will compete against each other in traditional 40 ft long Chinese dragonboats. The teams will be pitching their rowing skills on a course that runs from Pitcher and Piano at The Water’s Edge in Brindleyplace to the finishing post at the NIA.

All in aid of a good cause, the high-speed competition will raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital cancer unit to help mark the hospital’s 150th anniversary. Last year’s event, which supported the Children’s Hospital End of Life Care Team, raised a total of £38,000.

Kate Fittall, Destination Marketing Manager, GVA said: “The Dragonboat Festival is always a huge highlight of the year at Brindleyplace. Last year was a roaring success and probably our best event yet, raising a significant sum of money which really has made all the difference to patients at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“Not only is it a great day for the competitors but having the public squares at Brindleyplace filled with traditional Chinese Lion Dancers, home-made craft markets, live music and street entertainers means it is a fantastic family event – we even have a few treats in store for the kids too!”

Sponsored for the second year by Deutsche Bank, the majority of teams have now been filled, with competitors including last year’s winner, West Midlands Fire Service and the best fancy dress winner, No. 5 Chambers.

Kate continues: “It is brilliant news that Deutsche Bank is going to sponsor the event for at least another five years. Seeing the business community rally around such a great fundraising event at Brindleyplace is incredibly rewarding and I hope as many people as possible come along this year to help smash last year’s figure!”

Each team is expected to raise at least £1500 with all funds going to Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s cancer unit. Alongside the popular race on the canal, the festival offers a fun packed day out for the whole family including arts and activity stalls and an event hosted courtesy of Free Radio.

Shahaji Begum, Business Development Consultant for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “We are delighted to be part of the festival for the 3rd year running especially in our special birthday year. Last year was such a brilliant day with over 3000 spectators joining in the fun. It is wonderful that such a fantastic family-orientated day can make a really positive impact to children at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. We can’t wait for it all to begin!”

To compete, each team needs 12 rowers and one drummer. The race will consist of three heats, and team prizes will be awarded to the winner and runner up, alongside prizes for the best team fancy dress. Racing will start at 9.30am and continue to 3pm, followed by a prize giving ceremony in Central Square at Brindleyplace. Please note, places will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

For further information, including how to register a team, please visit www.brindleyplace.com.

Songkran is officially a three-day festival. On the first day, firecrackers are usually lit to send the old year on its way and ward off evil spirits, whilst homes and gardens are given a good cleaning. The most important aspect of the day is the cleaning of Buddha images.

The second day belongs to neither the new year or the old year and it is thought to be particularly bad luck to argue on this day. This day is also used to prepare food, which will be given the following day to monks and temples for merit making.

The third day is the equivalent of New Year’s Day in the West. It is also the last opportunity for people to let their hair down and the party starts early and continues until dusk.

Traditionally, celebrations will commence with a Buddhist priest performing a simple good luck ceremony. Buddhist monks will perform a symbolic gesture washing statues of Buddha to bring good luck.

Water is also definitely at the heart of the Songkran festival in Thailand. The enthusiastic water-throwing that fills the streets is symbolic of washing away sins and bad luck at this time, providing a clean slate for the new year ahead. It is normal to see people soaked with water, which is welcome relief from the April heat in Thailand, but not so much in cooler Brum!

To mark this auspicious time, Thai Edge will be offering visitors a Songkran set menu full of tasty Thai dishes. Take a look here.

From clothing to homeware, CDs to books, donations from across the board are welcomed to help support the charity, which is dedicated to saving lives through increased research. Simply drop off your quality, unwanted items into the Mell Square store and each donated bag could be worth up to £30 for the charity. You could also be in with a chance of winning £1000 if you enter the prize draw – enough to splurge on a whole new set of clothes!

The campaign has been backed by a selection of well known celebrities. You’ll see the Made in Chelsea and Only Way is Essex cast involved as well singing sensations Alexandra Burke and Charlotte Church. Video messages can be viewed online to find out more about their participation. http://www.tkmaxx.com/page/giveupclothes/celebrityinvolvement/page/celebrityinvolvement

TK Maxx and Cancer Research UK have been running their joint clothing collection campaign since 2004 and has already raised £10 million. TK Maxx Fundraising Manager, Alexis Hazlewood said: “Cancer is something that affects everybody in some way or another and TK Maxx this year wants to collectively raise £2.5 million for the charity.” This is a fantastic campaign from TK Maxx, so by bagging those clothes that are collecting dust in the closet, you could make difference to millions of people worldwide.

According to experts, we only wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time – what makes a better excuse to spring clean your house… and help support a valuable charity whilst you’re at it!

The store’s normal opening times are on Mon-Sat 9am – 5.30pm and Sunday 10.30am – 4.30pm

For more information on the fashion offering and charity fundraisers at Mell Square visit: www.mellsquare-shopping.com.