Passionate Blog

Marvellous mums wanted for hotel's Mother's Day treat

The Village Hotel Walsall is calling for  marvellous mums to be put forward for a special Mother's Day pampering treat.

The hotel, next to junction 10 of the M6, is offering to make Sunday 14 March extra special for one mum and her family with a makeover and hairstyling session by a hotel beautician along with a family meal for four at the hotel's Verve restaurant.

Village Hotel Walsall restaurant staff and mother and daughter pair Jill and Alison Fewtrell are pictured tucking in to a Mother's Day meal waffle with sous chef Michael Chambers.

“We know how hard mums work so we just wanted to show our appreciation,” said Damian Goom, general manager of the hotel.

“We’re asking people to tell us about their fab mums for this special Mother’s Day treat and we’ll make sure one of them gets the pampering they deserve,” he said.

The lucky family will enjoy a five course Sunday carvery which features food from around the world including pasta dishes cooked to order and freshly cooked American-styled waffles.

Dessert will include a special heart-shaped Mother’s Day chocolate waffle made especially for the day by head chef Rob Hawdon, which is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover’s cravings.

The marvellous mum will also get a memento of the day with a professionally taken photograph taken with her family.

The make-over and hair styling treatment will be provided at the Village Hotel in Dudley and can be arranged separately to the Mother’s Day lunch.

To put forward a mum for the Mother’s Day treat email Carol Garrington at Passionate Media at carol@passionatemedia.co.uk or call 01543 468621 explaining why your marvellous Mum deserves a special pamper day.

Colin Lee optician praises support after crippling virus

A STAFFORDSHIRE optician is battling to get her life back to normal after being struck down by a rare and debilitating virus which attacked her spine and left her wheel-chair bound.

Gina Larkin, an optometrist at Colin Lee Opticians in Rugeley, became ill in November 2008, and within a month, was paralysed from the chest down.

“I had had what felt like flu, and been unwell, but felt like I was getting better when I awoke one morning to a tingling sensation in my legs,” explained the 53-year-old, from Austrey, near Tamworth.

“Within two weeks I could not walk, and a further fortnight on, I had no movement from the chest down and was wheelchair bound.”

Counsellor Frances shows off her gorgeous assistant!

 

ISN'T she gorgeous?

Well both ladies are of course!

The picture shows Frances Weston with labrador Tilly who has now helped more than 50 children in counselling sessions.

Frances is proving that a dog is not only man’s best friend but can be a terrific aid in helping people overcome some of their most difficult emotional problems.

Pupils' designs are a recipe for success thanks to Suki's restaurant

YOUNGSTERS at a Darlaston school have been learning how hard work really can pay off after their designs for a children’s menu for their local Indian restaurant earned them £250.

Children from Salisbury School took part in a competition to come up with ideas for a new ‘mini menu’ for Suki’s Bar and Indian Restaurant in Walsall Road last year.

The winning design, by 10-year-old Haytham Yasin was used on the menu’s cover, which includes a host of little dishes for younger customers.

The school PTA has now been presented with £250 after Suki’s owner, Bharat Patel, pledged to donate 10 per cent from every child’s meal ordered to the school’s PTA.

The competition involved the children visiting the restaurant, having a behind-the-scenes peek at the kitchens, and sampling some of the food.

Cannock accountants Rice and Co count down to move

GOOD luck to Cannock chartered accountants Rice and Co, who are preparing to move offices after half a century based in the same building in the town.

The firm is set to relocate from its current home in Mill Street, to newer, more modern offices a short distance away at the Rumer Hill business park.

The company started out 50 years ago as a one man business, and has now grown to include a second office in Uttoxeter, with more than 20 staff, and five partners –Chris Stonier, Kevin Preece, Colin Dalton, Steve Dale and Matthew Gibbs.

Two new blogs from Passionate Media

THIS week we have been working on two new blogs and have been bowled over by the very positive feedback.

The first is for new online women's writing community, Judith's Room and we have been busy researching, writing and uploading content to inspire and inform aspiring and established writers.

Judith's Blog includes author interviews, hints, tips and advice as well as competitions and giveaways. It's part of a new community aiming to empower women writers set up by Staffordshire writer Josie.

We're very excited about the potential it has to help writers find new confidence and aim to fulfil their literary dreams. Please do come and see us if you're an aspiring Maeve Binchy or Marian Keyes.

The second is called Breaking the Silence and has grown out of a project we are working on with Lyn Jenkins, a regional co-ordinator with the mental health charity, Mind

It includes real life experiences, video and audio from people who have encountered difficulties through mental health issues and hopes to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.