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Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

And finally... I'm a weight loss wonder

NEWS presenter Joanne Malin may be used to the cameras but it was a whole new experience when she was chosen as cover girl for this month's Weight Watchers magazine. Read

Doctor Dolittle, Birmingham Hippodrome

GIANT pink snails, lunar moths, twoheaded llamas - Doctor Dolittle is utter nonsense but it is also an utter delight. Read

Message wrapped up in show

WHEN choreographer Robyn Orlin was teaching a group of students in South Africa she began to notice a high level of occasional absence. Read

Emio Greco, PC & Rosie Kay, Dancexchange

INTERNATIONAL Dance Festival Birmingham continued with two contemporary talents working together. Read

Adam Witton

Battling to beat school bullies

NOW in its fourth year, the Birmingham Mail Speak Out Stop Bullying campaign aims to help raise awareness of bullying and highlight how schools are trying to combat the problem. Read

Make a beeline for sweet honey

ENJOY National Honey Week for ten good reasons: Read

School Of The Week: Marsh Hill Nursery School, Erdington

MARSH Hill Nursery School has been making quite a 'bang' during its 70 year experience. Read

Birmingham to hold first international dance festival

BIRMINGHAM is dancing in the streets – as it celebrates the beginning of its first international dance festival. Read

Tommy's got animal magic

IN a lifetime in showbusiness Tommy Steele has one stellar rule when it comes to choosing his shows - would he want to see it? Read

What it takes to be British...

BIRMINGHAM playwright David Edgar tackles the thorny issue of British identity in his new play Testing the Echo. Read

The Baggies make me want to shout

AMONG the thousands celebrating the Baggies' promotion this week was none other than actress Claire Sweeney. Read

Moon Water, Birmingham Hippodrome

LAUNCHING Birmingham's International Dance Festival, this 70 minute performance gives an indication of the diversity in store. Read

Fit for a marathon after 3 stone loss

SUPER slimmer Jane Glaze is heading north of the border next month as she prepares to run the Edinburgh Marathon. Read

The hospital said it may not be cancer but they would need to check it

WHEN a testing kit for bowel cancer arrived through the door of Dianne Ladd's home, she decided she had nothing to lose by doing it. Read

St Laurence Church School

Waxing lyrical to save the planet

LOIS Saunders is almost bursting with excitement. The nine-year-old pupil has spent the morning practising for a concert she is taking part in and is eager to tell us all about it. Read

Style News

French Connection in Birmingham's Bullring holds a Mad Hatter's Tea Party offering customers a 20 per cent discount, beauty advice, music, drinks and goody bag. To take advantage of the promotion, on May 6 between 5.30-9pm, customers need to register for tickets at www.frenchconnection.com Read

The Blue Planet Live, Birmingham Symphony Hall

WITH breath-taking film from the BBC television series of the same name, The Blue Planet Live! takes the audience where it can never hope to go in real life. Read

Dance Festival

Join the global dance party

GET ready to party as Birmingham's inaugural International Dance Festival kicks off next week. Read

Watch This Space

A world of dance on your doorstep

IF you are out and about in the city next weekend make sure you take in a visit to Victoria Square where more than 30 dancers will be performing the open air show Watch This Space! Read

Hannah Millington

I was told I might never have kids or work again

HANNAH Millington was just 25 when she heard the words that everyone fears - she had cancer. 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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