The East-Midlands’ drinkers are curating a collection of increasingly premium drinks at home, with the average household ‘drinks cabinet’ now worth in excess of £200, according to a new nationwide study by premium tonic and mixer specialist Franklin & Sons, and the East-Midlands’ monthly drinks bill tops £100 per household.

Yet it appears we could be spoiling enjoyment of our top tipples with poor choices and habits when it comes to mixing our favourite drinks, with using warm, flat mixers and no ice among the top home drinking sins.

The study of 2,000 householders – commissioned to mark the height of the summer G&T season – found that the average British home now has a selection of spirits worth £63.20, with gin, whisky, vodka and rum at the top of the nation’s list of favourite spirits.

And we are also clearly becoming more discerning, with more than half our spend on spirits now going on premium or craft options costing more than £15 a bottle, while the rest of the nation’s average drinks cabinet is made up from a collection of beers, lagers and ales worth £15.13, cider (£10.66), red wine (£27.06), white wine (£22.88), Champagnes and sparkling wines (£28.68), port (£15.36), sherry (£12.04), and fortified wines (£11.84).

Irrespective of geography, though, Franklin & Sons’ study also found that the current out of home cocktail craze in the nation’s pubs, bars and restaurants has now most definitely found its way into our homes. Three out of 10 respondents said they had recently hosted or attended a cocktail party and seven out of 10 said they regularly mixed cocktails at home, with no fewer than 29 popular creations on the nation’s home drinks menu, including a Dark ‘N’ Stormy (dark rum and ginger beer served over ice and garnished with a slice of lime), a Woo Woo (vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice), and even a Gimlet (gin and lime juice).

World’s Best Spirits drinks consultants Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley – regular contributors to Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch – comment: “It’s clear from Franklin & Sons’ findings that, as a nation, we are becoming increasingly discerning, knowledgeable and adventurous about what we are drinking.

As the summer holidays kick off, parents across the UK are expecting to spend £468 on entertaining their children, according to the Post Office Money annual Parents’ Summer Spending report.

The costs associated with the summer break have decreased by 14 per cent compared with last year – although remain almost a fifth (17 per cent) higher than in 2012, when Post Office Money first conducted the research. With a third (33 per cent) of parents admitting they spent more than expected last summer, the anticipated fall in costs this year may suggest that many plan to keep a closer eye on their spending over the coming weeks.

Summer expenditure year-on-year

With the recent heatwave sweeping the country many parents will already have kicked off their summer spending; 27 per cent of parents spend more as a result of good weather, as they look to make the most of the sunshine.

When it comes to entertaining, two in five (40 per cent) parents expect to spend the most money visiting attractions, while 37 per cent of parents say family meals out will be their biggest cost. Just over a quarter (28 per cent) expect to spend the most money on treats for their children, with 22 per cent stating a holiday abroad will be their biggest expense.

There are also additional costs, aside from entertaining their children, which bump up the overall cost for mum and dads.  Parents expect to spend an average of £43 on other people’s children in addition to their own, as well as expecting to pay £78 on childcare and £97 on fuel – pushing the total potential summer expenditure to £686.

While their children will be excitedly counting down the days until summer, many parents are busy planning how they’ll cover the increased cost of summer, with over half (52 per cent) worried about how they will afford the summer costs – 41 per cent also feel under pressure to compete with other parents’ spending.

Owen Woodley, Managing Director at Post Office Money, said: “There can be many hidden costs over the summer months and while two in five parents we spoke to have the cash to cover these additional costs, many do not. 13% of parents told us they are planning on dipping into their savings, 9% will draw on their credit card and some families are even saying they’re likely to miss bill payments or even take a mortgage holiday to help manage this overspend.

“Planning in advance to find the best ways to cover any shortfall now can help relieve financial pressure and avoid negative financial implications further down the line.”

Some ‘savvy’ parents would even consider making little sacrifices now to help fund this summer’s spend – with 26 per cent saying they would consider sacrificing buying new clothes and 21 per cent prepared to give up going out during the evenings and at weekends. Some parents would also consider sacrificing saving during the summer period (22 per cent).

Owen Woodley continues: “If parents do plan to use credit, they should review their credit services to ensure they have the best value product to suit their needs. Avoid going into an unapproved overdraft to avoid unnecessary fees and penalty charges and review if your credit card offers the most competitive rate of interest. Some credit cards offer 0% interest rates, allowing you to spread the costs over a number of months, without incurring interest on the balance until the interest free period ends. These cards can also provide balance transfer facilities where you can transfer existing credit balances to another card that charges less interest. By using the next couple of weeks to consider the different options available to them, families can help relieve themselves of the worries connected with their upcoming summer spending.”

In celebration of the school summer holidays Victorian Arcade in Walsall will be hosting a day of circus entertainment on Saturday 5th August.

Shoppers and their families are invited to join in with a free circus workshop from 11am until 4pm where youngsters can learn how to juggle, spin plates and more with the help of the Arcade’s professional circus performer.

What’s more, the centre will be welcoming an amazing all round entertainer who will be on hand to entertain children and create balloon models for all visitors to the Arcade. A free face painter will also be helping youngsters get into the circus spirit.

Darren Griffiths, Senior Regional Facilities Manager of GBR Phoenix Beard, commented:

“We are thrilled to be hosting a circus extravaganza here at the Arcade. We hope to provide the perfect opportunity to entertain local kids for free. Our event promises to be a unique experience for the whole family to enjoy.”

Helen’s Haberdashery situated within Victorian Arcade in Walsall has announced that series two competitor of the Great British Sewing Bee, Jenny Taylor, will be hosting an exclusive workshop and book signing on Saturday 26th August from 10am until 12:30pm.

In celebration of the launch of Jenny Taylor’s new book, attendees can expect to take part in an exclusive workshop in which Jenny will be on hand to offer expert advice on how to create their very own vintage teacup pin cushion. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session with the star herself regarding her time as presenter on Create and Craft as well as her current positon on Sewing Quarter.

Even better, from 1pm until 4:30pm, Victorian Arcade shoppers are invited to attend a special book signing of Jenny Taylor’s new book titled ‘Girl with a Sewing Machine – The No-Fuss Guide’.

Those wishing to attend the workshop are encouraged to pop in store and register their interest as soon as possible to reserve their space at the workshop as places are expected to book up quickly. All attendees will be required to bring along their own cup or alternately purchase one from Jenny on the day.

Helen Baines, owner of Helen’s Haberdashery, commented:

“We’re delighted that Jenny Taylor will be making an exclusive appearance at Helen’s Haberdashery on Saturday 26th August. It’s set to be a day full of handy hints and tips and a fantastic opportunity for local crafters to meet a sewing star!”

Darren Griffiths, Senior Regional Facilities Manager of GBR Phoenix Beard, commented:

“I hope that many local knitters and sewers take advantage of this wonderful opportunity at Helen’s Haberdashery and I encourage them to sign up as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment. I would also like to remind shoppers that Saturday 26th August will see Victorian Arcade host a very special Jurassic Park themed event from 11am until 4pm and visitors are encouraged to bring along their cameras as the Arcade will be welcoming a very special pre-historic visitor.”

Qatar Airways celebrated the arrival of its inaugural flight to Alexander The Great Airport, Skopje on 17 July with a press conference and gala dinner at the Marriott Hotel Skopje. The events were hosted by Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ehab Amin, who welcomed VIP guests including the Republic of Macedonia’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Goran Sugareski; TAV Macedonia General Manager, Mr. Alp Er Tunga Ersoy; Macedonian Ambassador to Qatar, Mrs. Vukica Krtolica Popovska, and Qatari Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Hassan Bin Abdullah Zaid Al Mahmoud.

The gala dinner invitees, including Macedonian and Qatari VIPs, honoured guests from the travel industry and media, all enjoyed a dazzling line-up of entertainment and a headline performance by famous Macedonian singer Jana Burceska.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ehab Amin, said at the press conference: “I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the launch of Qatar Airways flights to Skopje, our new gateway into Eastern Europe from our hub, Hamad International Airport in Doha. Qatar Airways is proud to bring the five-star experience to the Macedonian capital, which is so rich in culture and history.”

General Manager of Airport TAV Macedonia, Mr. Alp Er Tunga Ersoy, said: "Doha, known as the Pearl of the Arabian Gulf, will be an exciting travel opportunity for Macedonian citizens, both in terms of leisure and business, but it will also enable Macedonians who live in Australia and New Zeland to visit their motherland. We hope that the Republic of Macedonia, with its natural beauty and cultural-historical heritage, will be an interesting destination for Qatari tourists and business travellers. The presence of Qatar Airways in the Republic of Macedonia as a brand will make Skopje Airport even more attractive as a market, opening new possibilities for its development, while additionally contributing to further traffic growth.”

Qatar Airways is expediting its expansion in Eastern Europe, with service to Prague, Czech Republic and Kyiv, Ukraine set to commence by the end of August. The award-winning airline is committed to bringing more visitors to Eastern Europe by adding a further level of choice for passengers travelling to or from Croatia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, and other Eastern European destinations.

In response to increasing demand, flights to Zagreb increased to a 10-weekly service last year, while Budapest and Baku both increased to a 12-weekly service in June 2017. Inbound tourism to Eastern Europe is expected to grow after the airline’s route launches of Serbia, Armenia, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria in recent years.

The new route to Skopje will also provide the people of the Republic of Macedonia the opportunity to connect to more than 150 destinations on the airline’s global network via its hub, Hamad International Airport, in Doha.

Qatar Airways will operate the four-times weekly service to Skopje with the award-winning Airbus A320, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class. Both Economy and Business Class passengers can enjoy the airline’s relaunched superior entertainment system, offering up to 3,000 entertainment options.

In addition, the commencement of air cargo service to Skopje by Qatar Airways Cargo will promote air trade growth in Republic of Macedonia by connecting the country with its major importers in North East Asia via the airline’s state-of-the-art Doha hub. The cargo carrier’s newly launched Climate Control Centre enhances its seamless cool chain solutions and offers perfect transit services to support the exports of fruits and fresh produce out of Skopje to various destinations across its global network.

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, this year celebrates 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 destinations business and leisure destinations. One of the world’s fast growing airlines will continue to add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017 and 2018, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of 200 aircraft.

A Birmingham mum whose life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease is supporting a national campaign to extend hospice care to more families.

Fran Tierney, who receives support from John Taylor Hospice in Erdington, is backing the Open Up Hospice Care campaign.

The campaign has been launched this month by Hospice UK with John Taylor as a partner after it emerged that nationally one in four families who could benefit from hospice care are not able to access that support.

Fran’s life changed on 12 May 2011 when she was told she had motor neurone disease (MND). A progressive condition which leads to the muscles gradually weakening, MND has had a massive impact not just on Fran but on all those who love her.

“I was having back pains and had tests at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. I was in complete shock when the consultant gave me the diagnosis as I’d never heard of MND before,” says Fran, aged 49, of Erdington.

“Before John Taylor Hospice became involved I was very scared and felt lost in a bewildering new way of life. I knew nothing about my condition and was too frightened to look on the internet for answers.”

But a few months after her diagnosis, Fran was put in touch with the team at Birmingham’s John Taylor Hospice. From that moment onwards, the hospice and its staff have been her point of access – helping her in every way they can.

“Anything and everything I have needed, from equipment to help me stay safe in my home and medical advice to spiritual and well-being comfort, have been offered by the staff at the hospice,” says Fran who is married to Martin and has three grown-up sons Louis, Daniel and George.

“On a practical level this has been invaluable - knowing I can text or email one team in one location and ask for help or advice without having to contact lots of different services, explaining who I am and what my condition is over and over again, which can be upsetting and annoying.

“The specialist nurse from the hospice has been a constant support for me and my family. She has explained everything for me and I know that I can ask her anything without feeling embarrassed.”

As Fran’s ability to speak lessened, the hospice’s occupational therapy team researched ways to help her continue communicating.

“My occupational therapist arranged for a new communication aid to be delivered for me. This was the latest version of software and camera incorporated in a tablet. She organised the different services (speech and language therapist, software development team and the access to communication and technology team) to come to my home and set me up on what has been an unbelievable piece of equipment. It has not only given me a voice but privacy and dignity, you just can't put a price on that. Thank you doesn't seem enough.”

Fran is also a regular member of John Taylor’s day hospice where she has made firm friends among staff, volunteers and other patients.

“The hospice organises a variety of different groups and organisations to come into the day hospice from theatre groups, musicians and choirs and artists,” she says. “Patients are welcome to participate if they want to. Some days I just want to read my Kindle and I'm able to do this without any fuss being made.

“And the hospice has opened up lots of opportunities for me. I was privileged enough to take part in a film exhibition in which participants were enabled to make their own films about their illness and what it has meant for them.”

Fran is close to all of her family including her three sisters and brother. Knowing John Taylor’s staff are on hand not just for her but also for her family has helped.

“The hospice have given my family piece of mind. They know that when I am at the day hospice I am happy and safe and when I have had a choking episode I have received the best care possible. The staff make time to get to know me and my family, so it is definitely not a one size fits all, it is truly personal.”

And Fran is keen for other families to benefit from hospice care.

“I honestly don't know how I would have managed without the constant care, support and advice I have received from the hospice. Everything I have needed and more has been supplied or obtained by the staff at the hospice. They even gave me tickets to go and see Aston Villa Football Club play at home - and we won!

“People have said that the hospice is like a family but for me, you can't always choose your family but you can choose your friends and that is how I feel about the staff in the hospice. They have seen me at my lowest and most scared and like real friends they have protected my family from this.”

John Taylor Hospice CEO Penny Venables said stories like Fran’s reveal how specialist palliative and end of life care can make all the difference.

“Fran and the many other patients families we support tell us how our expert care helps them with nursing care and pain management, practical help and emotional support.

“But we know there are other families nationally and in Birmingham who could benefit from hospice care who are not currently accessing that help. At John Taylor our vision is a compassionate and dignified death for all and that is why we are partnering Hospice UK for Open Up Hospice Care.”