Passionate Blog

Blooming Dannii Minogue reveals 'Heavenly' way to lose baby pounds

Beauty therapist Deborah Mitchell is helping X Factor judge Dannii Minogue get back into shape following the birth of her baby.

Dannii and partner Kris Smith were delighted at the arrival of Ethan Edward earlier this month. But the popular Aussie star has revealed her radiance is not just down to her adorable new son, but thanks also to Deborah, who owns Heaven beauty salon in Shifnal, Shropshire.

Whilst expecting, Dannii was a huge fan of Deborah’s pregnancy massage – a treatment using aromatherapy oils – and as the massage is also a great way to help new mums relax and re-energise, she is hoping to use them as part of her post-pregnancy beauty regime when she is back in the UK.

Local and international flavour to new chefs at Park Inn Hotel in Telford

TWO chefs who between them have cooked for royalty and world leaders are preparing to serve up something special for diners in Telford after taking charge of the kitchen at one of the town’s leading hotels.

The Park Inn hotel has appointed a new head chef, Marcus Swain, with the aim of making the dining room a destination restaurant, which will attract people from around the county, as well as hotel guests from further afield.

Beacon Radio hosts prepare marathon effort for Compton Hospice

BEST of luck to Beacon Radio’s breakfast hosts Fresh and Jo who have thrown their backing behind Compton Hospice's Raise the Roof appeal by taking on a 55 mile walk across the Black Country.

The popular pair hope to cover 11 miles a day on behalf of the hospice which needs to raise £1 million as part of its major refurbishment works.

And the challenge got even steeper at the launch of the appeal, as Jo had an announcement of her own – she is expecting a baby.

Brave children talk of hospice's help through bereavement

Children who received bereavement support from Wolverhampton's Compton Hospice have bravely spoken of their experiences to help highlight the importance of the specialist service.

Chelsea Rickerby, aged 16, and Emily Woollam, aged eight, attended a special event at the hospice to emphasise the positive impact the family bereavement service can have.

Big swing in membership boosts St Thomas's golf club

STAFFORDSHIRE golf club, St Thomas's Priory, is celebrating a large increase in membership, despite the economic down turn, thanks to a range of investment to improve facilities.

The club, at Armitage near Rugeley, has seen the number of new members rise by more than a third during the year, despite the recession devastating parts of the leisure industry.

Managers at the club, home to an 18-hole championship course set alongside the 19th Century Hawkesyard Hall, put the increase down to the more than £100,000 spent improving the course and facilities at the club over the last 18 months.

Charitarian: A philanthropy magazine made in China

Photos by Janek Zdarski.

WE are working with an Anglo-Chinese team on Charitarian magazine. So far, we've started work on a blog for this innovative publication that reports on aid for China's most vulnerable groups, as well as including exclusive updates on other aspects of Chinese society.

Janek's photos show migrant children at work and play and are featured in the next issue of the magazine, which is currently being put together.

We can't wait to see the next edition and more of Janek's beautiful images.

Marvellous mum gets hotel's Mother's Day treat

MUM Diane Holmes is one in a million - and thanks to son Chris is all set for a Mother's Day to remember.

The Walsall sixth former has won Diane a treat by nominating her for a pamper day and family meal from The Village Hotel.

He said she deserved the special thank you for her support in him getting a place at Oxford University.

Single mum Diane will dine in style this Sunday, 14 March, enjoying a five-course meal for four at Walsall’s Village Hotel and get a make-over and hair styling session from a hotel beautician.

Queen Mary’s Grammar School pupil Chris, 17, put forward his mum, a teaching assistant at Walsall’s Joseph Leckie Community Technology College, for the Mother’s Day prize to say thanks for all her encouragement and support over the years.

The teenager, who is studying five A levels, has been offered a place at Mansfield College, Oxford, to study geography next year, if he is successful in his exams. He has already got 12 GCSEs, 10 at grade A star and two at grade A.

“She’s just a fantastic mum and really deserves a great treat,” said Chris.

“I thought this would be a fantastic way to say thank you to mum for all the support she’s given to me as I’ll be leaving her soon to go off to university.

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.