Updated 11:46am 4 July 2009:

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Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

Campaigning active family saddles up to keep fit

THE Batey family of Sutton Coldfield are fans of getting on their bikes to cycle their way to fitness. Read

Classy student chic arrives on catwalk

STUDENTS at South Birmingham College hit the catwalk to showcase their designs for a fashion competition. Read

A big friendly way to discover classic

SHAQUILLE Robinson is all ears as he listens to a telling of Roald Dahl’s children’s favourite The BFG. Read

Campaigning active family saddles up to keep fit

THE Batey family of Sutton Coldfield are fans of getting on their bikes to cycle their way to fitness. Read

Beach comes to Castle Bromwich as pupils have sea safety lesson

WHEN it comes to healthy living, life’s a beachat Castle Bromwich Infants’ School. Read

Excellent Birmingham Royal Ballet triple bill

Love And Loss Read

It’s ship shape and Bristol fashion

SHIPS ahoy proved to be the inspiration for a Birmingham fashion student who took the top prize in a local design competition. Read

SHIPS ahoy proved to be the inspiration for a Birmingham fashion student who took the top prize in a local design competition.

Eighteen-year-old Samera Abid of Stechford’s prize-winning design was chosen from nearly 200 ideas created by students at South Birmingham College. Read

Birmingham Fashion students take top prize in competition

Eighteen-year-old Samera Abid of Stechford’s prize-winning design was chosen from nearly 200 ideas created by students at South Birmingham College. Read

Great Barr couple celebrate diamond day

WHEN Bill Billings was courting his sweetheart Sheila he would find any excuse to see her – even if that meant acquiring a toothpaste mountain. Read

Great Barr couple celebrate diamond day

WHEN Bill Billings was courting his sweetheart Sheila he would find any excuse to see her – even if that meant acquiring a toothpaste mountain. Read

Review: The BFG, Birmingham Repertory Company

PRESENTING a giant on stage is always going to be a challenge but this David Wood adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ever-popular adventure story tackles the issue in a couple of ways. Read

Discovering ancient and modern China

I WAS running short of time. A taxi ride through the congested streets of Guangzhou in Southern China had taken longer than anticipated and the temple I was aiming for was due to close in half an hour. Read

Healthy eating’s order of the day

WHETHER you are calorie counting or simply trying to follow a healthy diet there is one area which can cause problems – a meal out. Read

Going holistic at the Champneys Springs health spa

THEY have long been known as “alternative” therapies but treatments such as Indian head massage, reflexology and aromatherapy have gradually moved into the mainstream. Read

Turves Green Boys’ School pupils meet winning author Alan Gibbons

YOUNGSTERS who championed best-selling author Alan Gibbons in a city-wide competition were given the chance to meet the writer when he visited their school. Read

Walmley driving instructor has L of an idea for Weight Watchers

DRIVING instructor Antony Bonfield is offering friends from his weight loss group an extra incentive – a free lesson to the person who loses the most pounds each week. Read

Man of the year loses seven stone with diet club

AUTHOR Stan Nicholls has been named Man of the Year by his Slimming World club after shedding seven stone. Read

Woolly friends prove perfectly idyllic fun

WHEN I travelled in South America I saw countless alpacas in the distance – and never expected to be able to get so close to them right on our Midlands’ doorstep. Read

Head north for a taste of luxury in lovely Lancashire

THE one lesson I have learned about travel is to listen to the experts, so when a number of people warned me of the horrors of the M6 north on a Friday night there seemed to be only one course of action – to take the day off. Read

Author Profile

Diane Parkes has worked in journalism for 14 years and has been with the Birmingham Mail for ten. She is Women's Editor covering health, fitness, education, fashion and beauty features. As Dance and Theatre Editor she is also responsible for professional arts coverage across the region.

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