Holistic therapist supports cause close to her heart at business launch

Holistic therapist supports cause close to her heart at business launch

Karin Minton, A Blissful Balance, Wellesbourne
Photos by shotbyjude.com

A local holistic beauty therapist has hailed the launch of her new wellness space a huge success – raising £350 for vulnerable women in the process.

Karin Minton welcomed scores of visitors through her doors at A Blissful Balance, in Wellesbourne, where she has taken over the empty School Road unit formerly occupied by Parish Council for 13 years.

Karin Minton, A Blissful Balance, Wellesbourne

The celebration, which was also in support of The Esther Project, marked a huge expansion for Karin who only established her business a little over 18 months ago.

It showcased the broad menu of treatments being provided in the five treatment rooms by herself and her professional collaborators, including massage, reflexology, advanced facials, reiki healing, lymphatic drainage, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, sound healing and counselling and therapeutic coaching.

 

Karin Minton, A Blissful Balance, Wellesbourne

Karin prides herself on opening her doors to the ‘Unseen Woman.’  Her business is rooted in a very personal mission – to give every woman the chance to feel ‘truly seen,’ valued and supported.

These ambitions are driven by her passion for supporting women through every stage of life, including adolescence, motherhood, divorce, loss, neurodiversity, menopause, anxiety, grief, low confidence, retirement and times of change, with treatments and support tailored to the individual.

She said: “The launch of A Blissful Balance was honestly everything I could have hoped for. At one point we had people queuing out of the door, which was quite incredible to see. There were so many familiar faces alongside lots of new ones, and the atmosphere throughout the building was just lovely. We also raised over £350 for The Esther Project, which made it even more special.

“What meant the most was seeing A Blissful Balance being used exactly as I’d imagined it. What started with me working from one treatment room has grown into a women’s wellness space, and I already have some amazing practitioners working alongside me who share the same passion for supporting women. Seeing people exploring the rooms, meeting the women who are part of the space and understanding what we’re creating, felt really special.

Karin Minton, A Blissful Balance, Wellesbourne

“I came away feeling incredibly proud and overwhelmed by the support, but this really is just the beginning. We’re continuing to look for the right practitioners to join us, as well as people who would like to use our studio to hold workshops, classes and events. I’m really excited to see A Blissful Balance grow into a place where women can come for treatments, wellbeing, connection and support.”

Visitors had the chance to experience complimentary mini treatments, enjoy refreshments, meet the therapists, browse a selection of wellness stalls and the first 50 customers took home a goodie bag.

Karin Minton, A Blissful Balance, Wellesbourne
Karin pictured with Health & Wellbeing Coach Elsa Wye.

There were also great prizes to be won in a raffle supporting The Esther Project, a Leamington-based Community Interest Company supporting women across Warwickshire facing multiple and complex challenges, including domestic abuse, homelessness, trauma, poor mental health and addiction.

Lianne Kirkman, Founder of The Esther Project, said: “We are really grateful to Karin and everyone at A Blissful Balance for choosing to support The Esther Project at their opening event. The funds raised will help us continue providing vital support to women across Warwickshire who are facing significant challenges including domestic abuse, trauma and homelessness.

Karin Minton, A Blissful Balance, Wellesbourne

“Karin’s vision of creating a space where women feel seen, valued and supported completely aligns with our own mission at The Esther Project. We’re so grateful to have been part of the launch.”

A Blissful Balance is now open at 2 School Road, Wellesbourne, CV35 9NH.
Visit www.ablissfulbalance.co.uk or call/message 07862 252624 to book.

Karin Minton, A Blissful Balance, Wellesbourne

Karin is already celebrating recognition in a series of awards, as a finalist for Beauty Therapist of the Year at The Beauty Full Awards; Best Business in the UK Small Business category; Best Customer Experience category in the Stratford Herald Business & Tourism Awards and The UK Beauty Awards’ Beauty Excellence category. She was also a recent recipient of a Highly Recommended Award by Fresha, which spotlight standout businesses which promise quality, professionalism, and exceptional experiences.

Review: San Carlo’s Sunday Lunch, Birmingham

Review: San Carlo’s Sunday Lunch, Birmingham

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

San Carlo Birmingham’s new Sunday Lunch menu brings a touch of Italian sophistication to one of Britain’s most beloved rituals – the roast.

Served in the elegant Temple Street dining room, the experience feels both indulgent and unhurried, designed for long, sociable afternoons that stretch into early evening.

The family‑owned San Carlo group has reimagined the traditional roast with its signature flair for premium ingredients and polished presentation. The menu mirrors that of sister restaurant Fumo, offering a contemporary twist on the British staple – hearty yet refined, with unmistakable Mediterranean finesse.

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

Each roast is served with rosemary‑and‑thyme potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and rich gravy – with the option to add creamy cauliflower cheese for extra comfort – because, why not?

You can choose from Half Roast Chicken, Lamb Rump, Rib of Beef or even T‑Bone Steak for Two – designed for sharing, this dish embodies San Carlo’s convivial spirit and love of a big appetite!

Desserts, of course, continue the Italian theme – think pistachio torta or the indulgent torta setteveli, a seven‑layered chocolate‑hazelnut dream!

 

Although, for me, the lure of the vanilla cheesecake is always a difficult one to ignore – and it did not disappoint.

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

The Temple Street restaurant exudes timeless elegance: marble surfaces, crisp linens, and a hum of conversation that feels distinctly cosmopolitan. Service is attentive but relaxed, encouraging diners to linger over cocktails or a glass of Barolo. But resist the food at your peril. This menu has always one for savouring – and now with the addition of everyone’s Sunday favourite – every day is a great day to visit San Carlo!

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

San Carlo’s Sunday Lunch is a masterclass in balance – British comfort meets Italian sophistication. Perfect for family gatherings, catch‑ups with friends, or a leisurely date, this new menu elevates the humble roast into something truly bellissimo.

Visit sancarlo.co.uk

David completes IRONMAN Challenge in memory of late mum

David completes IRONMAN Challenge in memory of late mum

David Blick, Warwickshire Gin Company, IRONMAN
David proudly displays his IRONMAN medal.

When Leamington’s David Blick crossed the finish line of one of the toughest triathlons in the world, on Sunday, there were thousands of people cheering him on – but he had only one person on his mind – his late mum.

The 53-year-old completed the IRONMAN Wales in Tenby in just over 16 hours and powering him on through every 140 miles of the gruelling challenge was the memory of Maggie, who died after a battle with breast cancer just a few months earlier.

David, who has now completed six Ironman Challenges, was one of more than 3,000 athletes, professionals and amateurs, who joined in one of Wales’ biggest sporting events which included the 112-mile (180.2 km) bike course.

David Blick, Warwickshire Gin Company, IRONMAN
David is cheered on along the final route by friend James Leavesley, chair of the British Triathlon.

He is now hoping to further build on the £2,000 already raised for Breast Cancer Research.

He said: “The swim started at 7:30am and, despite the rain, the atmosphere was incredible. The crowds and support around Tenby were absolutely epic and gave everyone a huge lift from the moment we entered the water.

“Then came the bike. Wet, windy and relentlessly hilly. The descents were particularly sketchy with greasy roads and difficult conditions. Speed wasn’t important today, staying upright was. Fortunately, I managed to do that and just kept grinding it out mile after mile all 7.5 hours of it.

“The run was where it really became a battle. The rain eased to mostly drizzle, but my foot started hurting badly. In the end, I walked much of the run and all of the last seven miles. At that point it was simply about determination and getting to the finish line. 6.5 hours of torture.”

David Blick, Warwickshire Gin Company, IRONMAN
David cycled 112 miles as part of the gruelling IRONMAN challenge.

He added: “Throughout those final miles, I kept thinking that a few hours of pain was nothing compared to what my mum went through for months during her fight with breast cancer. Whenever things got tough, I reminded myself to just keep moving forward and get over that finish line.

“The support on the course is absolutely nuts – you have to be there to experience it, but it feels like all of Wales is there behind you – just incredible and you feel like a superstar for a few hours!”

This IRONMAN marked a return to the town where the inspiration for David’s award-winning Warwickshire Gin Company was born. It was his visit to Tenby Gin in 2018 which inspired his journey to entrepreneurship prompting him to leave his retail and logistics career of 28 years to launch a distillery business in Leamington.

David Blick, Warwickshire Gin Company, IRONMAN
Thousands of people gathered to support the athletes.

Reflecting on his challenge, David added: “Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout the training and on race day. From over 3,000 miles on the bike and 500 miles in my trainers, right through to the finish line, your encouragement meant more than you’ll ever know.

“Just over 16 hours in total, not my quickest – it wasn’t about breaking records though. I was never going to be back to my best eight years after doing the last one, and with the other challenges on the day, I’m just incredibly grateful to have completed it. This one was for Mum.”

Donate to David’s fundraiser page HERE.

Review: Heathers, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Review: Heathers, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

The Belgrade Theatre detonates a riotous blast of dark comedy, killer harmonies, and high‑school havoc with Heathers – a production that embraces the show’s cult status while delivering a slick, high‑voltage night of theatre.

It’s bold, brazen, and wickedly fun, but beneath the neon chaos lies a surprisingly incisive look at teenage pressure, identity, and the seductive pull of rebellion.

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.

That is, until J.D., the mysterious teen rebel, turns up and teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…

Based on the iconic 1989 cult film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers first premiered in Los Angeles in 2013 to sold-out audiences before transferring to New York’s New World Stages in 2014. The show was reimagined for its 2018 London debut, featuring new songs and updated script.

Photos by Pamela Raith

This latest production thrives on performance. Veronica Sawyer is played by Gerardine Sacdalan with irresistible charm and emotional clarity – smart, conflicted, and vocally superb. Her journey from eager outsider to morally torn accomplice is paced with real nuance, grounding the show’s wildest moments in something recognisably human.

Opposite her, JD, played by Louis Hearsey, is both magnetic and unsettling, his descent from brooding misfit to full‑blown menace handled with chilling precision, giving the production its darker, more psychologically charged edge.

And then there are the Heathers – three technicolour tyrants who dominate the stage with razor‑sharp timing and deliciously exaggerated cruelty. The trio of Liberty Stottor, Jessica Ibadin and Lou Henry bring their own flavour of venom, and together they form a gloriously toxic trio that the audience can’t help but relish.

Photos by Pamela Raith

The Belgrade’s staging is fast, fluid, and unapologetically stylised. Bright blocks of colour, sharp lighting cues, and clever transitions keep the energy high while echoing the show’s comic‑book aesthetic. The choreography is tight and playful, leaning into the satire without ever losing polish.

What makes Heathers endure is its ability to juggle humour with uncomfortable truths. This production doesn’t shy away from the show’s darker undercurrents – bullying, toxic popularity, teen mental health, and the romanticisation of danger. Instead, it threads them through the comedy with a knowing wink, allowing the audience to laugh while still feeling the sting.

The tonal shifts are handled with care, ensuring the satire never trivialises the subject matter. It’s a tricky balance, but the Belgrade’s company lands it.

Photos by Pamela Raith

It’s a production that understands the show’s cult appeal (even when it comes to managing the queues for the merchandise stand!) while giving it fresh theatrical bite.

But it may not be to everyone’s taste so be sure to read up on the subject matter first, especially if you are triggered by the subject of suicide.

As a production, it’s a darkly delicious triumph that leaves Coventry humming, laughing, and maybe reflecting a little too.

Heathers plays at The Belgrade Theatre until Saturday. Book HERE.

Former editor bags sixth national award for her PR agency

Former editor bags sixth national award for her PR agency

Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR, SME Award

Amanda Chalmers, has been listed among the SME Midlands Enterprise Awards winners for her PR agency.

Chalmers News PR was named as The Best PR & Marketing Agency in the West Midlands 2026 when the roll of honour weas revealed last week.

The news brings Amanda’s impressive national awards tally to six, since launching her Warwick-based business almost eight years ago after five years as the first female editor of independent The Stratford Herald.

Awards Coordinator Daniel Griffin, said: “For nearly a decade, the Midlands Enterprise Awards have shone a spotlight on the SMEs that form the backbone of the regional economy. From ambitious start-ups to long established local champions, this programme exists to recognise the innovation, resilience, and determination that small and medium-sized enterprises bring to the Midlands every single day.

“SMEs do far more than drive revenue. They create jobs, strengthen communities, and push industries forward with fresh thinking and fearless ideas. These awards are our way of saying that their work matters and deserves to be celebrated loudly.

“The aim of this programme is to champion this varied region and celebrate the businesses it encompasses, and we believe we have once again done this in the 2026 instalment of the awards.

Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR, SME Award

They added: “Both the West Midlands and the East Midlands are represented, and whether a business is a bustling enterprise in the heart of a major city or a one-person operation in a small town, we are delighted to recognise all of their contributions to both their industry and the local communities.

“Here at SME News, we pride ourselves on the validity of our awards and the winners we select for them. Awards are given solely on merit, provided to those deserving of acclaim for their hard work and ingenuity.

The former journalist’s 30 years in the regional press, culminated with a stint in the Stratford-Upon-Avon Herald editor’s chair between 2014 and 2018, before launching the agency, which specialises in affordable cross-sector PR for small businesses and start-ups as well as charities and not-for-profits.

It also follows hot on the heels of her recently celebrating being named among the Top 10 Businesses From Home in the UK Small Business Awards, as well as Influential Woman In Business in the Innervision Media Awards; and receiving the Ladies First Excellence In Media Award in 2023 and 2025 and the Woman Who Awards ‘Achieves In Media’ category gong in 2024.

Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR, SME Award

Amanda worked on newsdesks in and around Warwickshire, including the former Nuneaton Tribune and Rugby Advertiser, and, as deputy editor at the Daventry Express and Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser series before joining the Herald.

She said: “I’m incredibly proud to once again be recognised nationally for my work and am so grateful to those who continue to nominate me, support me and champion my success.

“Awards are wonderful – and all the recent accolades are testament to the hard work that’s gone in to building the agency from the ground up – but the most rewarding part of my own journey of growth as an entrepreneur, is the countless number of small business owners and charity founders it’s brought me into contact with. It’s their energy, vision and drive that inspire me to succeed every day. And long may that continue!”

To learn more about the Midlands Enterprise Awards and access the full list of winners visit HERE.