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Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

I love dance and I can't imagine not being part of it

AFTER more than 40 years as a professional in dance, Birmingham Royal Ballet assistant director Desmond Kelly could be forgiven for wanting to put his feet up. Read

Growing lads and lasses

DAUD Abdi is hoping that his efforts in helping plan the new school play area will pay off. Read

We have grounds for celebration!

SHELDON school's efforts to nurture its children, parents and its grounds have come up trumps with it being named a finalist in a national award scheme. Read

Slim Paula is sitting pretty

THREE years ago Paula Felce was feeling at rock bottom - having recently given birth to her second child, she was feeling fat, frumpy and unhappy. Read

After battling cancer twice, I'm so grateful for everything I have

MUM Paula Olsson had given birth three weeks ago and should have been on top of the world - but then she was given the devastating news she had cancer. Read

Goldfrapp, Birmingham Symphony Hall

ALISON Goldfrapp and co re-lived the age of flower power with a hippy set filled with blossoms, bunting, psychedelia and even a maypole. Read

Young playwrights to showcase their work at the Rep

YOUNG writers from across the Midlands will be showcased at Birmingham Repertory Theatre's Transmissions Festival which begins next week. Read

Stepping into the limelight with triple bill

CHOREOGRAPHER Michael Corder brings a new version of Stravinsky's Le Baiser de la fee to Birmingham. Read

Show of talent on catwalk

FASHION stars of the future have been showcasing their work in Birmingham with their designs on the catwalk. Read

Infectious enthusiasm for health and fitness

MANY of the older children have helped organise activities. Read

Wake up Shake up!

MORE than 200 children and parents are arm waving, twisting, jumping and dancing as the rock band Queen belts out Don't Stop Me Now. Read

Shock tactics helped me lose 4 stone

WHEN Brenda Colebourne attended her first meeting of a weight loss group, she was more than a little shocked to be told she looked like a hippopotamus and she needed to get off her fat backside and do something about it. Read

Mary mania set to sweep the nation

AS the West End musical Mary Poppins hits the road this month, Birmingham audiences who saw the London show can expect a few surprises. Read

Paradise - in any language

OUR driver did not speak a lot of English but he did manage to tell us that our destination was 'paradise'. Read

I knew I was big but it was a shock when they told me I was obese

LEIGH Richardson-Hill knew she was on the large side but she never classed herself as obese until a calculation of her body mass index forced her to see the truth. Read

My life has been tranformed by a small high tech hearing aid

As new legislation aims to protect workers from hearing damage, DIANE PARKES meets one man who found the solution to his hearing loss. Read

Children rise to the enterprise challenge

YOUNGSTERS at a Birmingham school could give Alan Sugar a run for his money after turning entrepreneurs for a week. Read

We're looking at helping prevent climate change

COUNTRYFILE presenter John Craven is on a mission when he visits this year's Summer Festival - he is looking for energy-saving plants. Read

Les spoofs Eurovision

WHEN Les Dennis first played the part of local host Sergei in the Eurovision take-off Eurobeat he believed his character may be larger than life -then he watched this year's contest. Read

John would do anything with Nancy winner

THE search for Nancy may be over for television viewers but not for John Barrowman who successfully pinned his hopes on Blackpool lass Jodie Prenger. 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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