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Heather Large

Special projects reporter

Senior reporter and part of the Express & Star special projects team specialising in education and human interest features.

February 21, 2026

Supporting image for story: "This is a career with real impact": What it's like to be an employment lawyer in the West Midlands

"This is a career with real impact": What it's like to be an employment lawyer in the West Midlands

February 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Every wedding is completely different': Meet the florist and venue stylist helping to turn couples' dreams into reality across Staffordshire and beyond

'Every wedding is completely different': Meet the florist and venue stylist helping to turn couples' dreams into reality across Staffordshire and beyond

February 14, 2026

Supporting image for story: The Hednesford author who opened her own bookshop and realised a childhood dream

The Hednesford author who opened her own bookshop and realised a childhood dream

February 7, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'I'm a Black Country baker who makes everything from chocolate concrete to cookies pies - you can visit my shop or catch me in my pink cake van on the road'

'I'm a Black Country baker who makes everything from chocolate concrete to cookies pies - you can visit my shop or catch me in my pink cake van on the road'

February 2, 2026

Supporting image for story: Shropshire’s Strong Mommas Club celebrates first year of business - and makes plans for expansion

Shropshire’s Strong Mommas Club celebrates first year of business - and makes plans for expansion

January 24, 2026

Supporting image for story: Meet the Shifnal artist whose work is inspired by her surrounding countryside and is appearing on TV's Landscape Artist of the Year

Meet the Shifnal artist whose work is inspired by her surrounding countryside and is appearing on TV's Landscape Artist of the Year

Supporting image for story: 'I started selling kids' clothes on TikTok while on maternity leave and now have my own boutique in Wolverhampton named after my children'

'I started selling kids' clothes on TikTok while on maternity leave and now have my own boutique in Wolverhampton named after my children'

January 17, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'I left my marketing job to become an interior designer in Stafford. I trained with a renowned London designer and help people across the Midlands to create their dream homes'

'I left my marketing job to become an interior designer in Stafford. I trained with a renowned London designer and help people across the Midlands to create their dream homes'

January 11, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Breathwork improved my sleep and reduced my anxiety - now I'm teaching others how to benefit as a coach in the Black Country'

'Breathwork improved my sleep and reduced my anxiety - now I'm teaching others how to benefit as a coach in the Black Country'

January 4, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'We can free up our GP partners': Five tips on staying healthy this winter from a Great Barr pharmacist of 30 years

'We can free up our GP partners': Five tips on staying healthy this winter from a Great Barr pharmacist of 30 years

December 27, 2025

Supporting image for story: Meet the author from Walsall who wants to teach us how to listen to what animals are telling us

Meet the author from Walsall who wants to teach us how to listen to what animals are telling us

Supporting image for story: 'I started my own cocktail business in Staffordshire and teach people how to craft their own drinks from mojitos to daiquiris'

'I started my own cocktail business in Staffordshire and teach people how to craft their own drinks from mojitos to daiquiris'

December 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I started work helping my dad in a West Midlands factory now I make jewellery for footballers and TV stars - Christmas is one of my busiest times'

'I started work helping my dad in a West Midlands factory now I make jewellery for footballers and TV stars - Christmas is one of my busiest times'

December 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'If we can achieve a tenth of Slade's success - we would be absolutely ecstatic': Walsall band The Assist release their first Christmas song

'If we can achieve a tenth of Slade's success - we would be absolutely ecstatic': Walsall band The Assist release their first Christmas song

Supporting image for story: 'I'm doing my bit for the planet by selling traditional and plastic-free cookware on my stall at Newport Indoor Market in Shropshire'

'I'm doing my bit for the planet by selling traditional and plastic-free cookware on my stall at Newport Indoor Market in Shropshire'

December 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Stourbridge singer-songwriter releases Christmas song to raise money for town's hospice

Stourbridge singer-songwriter releases Christmas song to raise money for town's hospice

November 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands wedding pianist explains how she plays her part making priceless memories - and why Spotify can't compete

West Midlands wedding pianist explains how she plays her part making priceless memories - and why Spotify can't compete

November 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Midlands-based Frank Sinatra singer brings The Rat Pack: Christmas in Vegas show to the region

Midlands-based Frank Sinatra singer brings The Rat Pack: Christmas in Vegas show to the region

November 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I've travelled through Europe treating elite athletes - now I help people in Staffordshire achieve their health and wellbeing goals'

'I've travelled through Europe treating elite athletes - now I help people in Staffordshire achieve their health and wellbeing goals'

November 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I fulfilled my dream to open a women's clothing shop in Cannock - now I help women of all ages find clothes they love'

'I fulfilled my dream to open a women's clothing shop in Cannock - now I help women of all ages find clothes they love'

November 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I grew up in Wolverhampton now I'm starring in a one-woman play inspired by Edith Nesbit's ghost stories'

'I grew up in Wolverhampton now I'm starring in a one-woman play inspired by Edith Nesbit's ghost stories'

October 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I started working in landscaping during my school holidays in the West Midlands now I lead a team of five in my own business and I've worked on a McDonalds drive-thru'

'I started working in landscaping during my school holidays in the West Midlands now I lead a team of five in my own business and I've worked on a McDonalds drive-thru'

Supporting image for story: 'I'm living my dream writing cosy crime novels from my home in Wolverhampton'

'I'm living my dream writing cosy crime novels from my home in Wolverhampton'

October 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Clay is therapy' - We meet the owner of a Staffordshire pottery studio who teaches workshops and paint-a-pot sessions

'Clay is therapy' - We meet the owner of a Staffordshire pottery studio who teaches workshops and paint-a-pot sessions

October 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I'm a sleep consultant from Brierley Hill and I offer solutions to help tired parents and children'

'I'm a sleep consultant from Brierley Hill and I offer solutions to help tired parents and children'

October 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It’s the gift of music and passing it on' - We meet a musical couple who sell instruments and offer lessons at their shop in Pelsall

'It’s the gift of music and passing it on' - We meet a musical couple who sell instruments and offer lessons at their shop in Pelsall

September 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: "I loved learning calligraphy so much, I now teach others at workshops in Wolverhampton and Stourbridge"

"I loved learning calligraphy so much, I now teach others at workshops in Wolverhampton and Stourbridge"

September 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: We visit a cosy and friendly Stourbridge tea room where the owner bakes cakes, scones, brownies and blondies from scratch

We visit a cosy and friendly Stourbridge tea room where the owner bakes cakes, scones, brownies and blondies from scratch

September 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'A seaside shop in the middle of Halesowen': We visit the independent gift store which offers so much more than shopping

'A seaside shop in the middle of Halesowen': We visit the independent gift store which offers so much more than shopping

August 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I set up a new luxury grazing and event styling business using the creativity and precision skills I learned as a nail technician in Wolverhampton'

'I set up a new luxury grazing and event styling business using the creativity and precision skills I learned as a nail technician in Wolverhampton'

Supporting image for story: "I taught beauty and holistic therapy in West Midlands college classrooms for 25 years and now I have my own holistic and tarot business in Bewdley"

"I taught beauty and holistic therapy in West Midlands college classrooms for 25 years and now I have my own holistic and tarot business in Bewdley"

August 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: ‘I’m having the time of my life’ - Shropshire-born classicist and TV star Mary Beard on her new podcast

‘I’m having the time of my life’ - Shropshire-born classicist and TV star Mary Beard on her new podcast

August 23, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It's my happy place': Meet the business owner who opened her dream interiors shop in Wombourne and helps people decorate their homes for Christmas

'It's my happy place': Meet the business owner who opened her dream interiors shop in Wombourne and helps people decorate their homes for Christmas

Supporting image for story: 80s pop legend Nik Kershaw talks Live Aid and shares his song writing process ahead of his West Midland tour dates

80s pop legend Nik Kershaw talks Live Aid and shares his song writing process ahead of his West Midland tour dates

August 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I'm chasing my dreams by setting up my own business creating bespoke Maiyan furniture in the West Midlands - and I do stand-up comedy in my spare time'

'I'm chasing my dreams by setting up my own business creating bespoke Maiyan furniture in the West Midlands - and I do stand-up comedy in my spare time'

August 14, 2025

Supporting image for story: 1980s pop legend Nik Kershaw announces new tour including dates in Walsall, Dudley, Stafford and Birmingham

1980s pop legend Nik Kershaw announces new tour including dates in Walsall, Dudley, Stafford and Birmingham

August 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I've returned to teaching after leaving my job at a West Midlands school seven years ago - it's great to be back in the classroom helping others to discover their creativity'

'I've returned to teaching after leaving my job at a West Midlands school seven years ago - it's great to be back in the classroom helping others to discover their creativity'

July 31, 2025

Supporting image for story: "I write psychological thrillers - here's what to expect from my new book which is out now"

"I write psychological thrillers - here's what to expect from my new book which is out now"

July 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Garden library opens in memory of "much-loved" Staffordshire nursery nurse

Garden library opens in memory of "much-loved" Staffordshire nursery nurse

July 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I became a funeral director in Stafford to help families through their time of grief after leaving my VIP chauffeur business and abandoning plans to become a police officer'

'I became a funeral director in Stafford to help families through their time of grief after leaving my VIP chauffeur business and abandoning plans to become a police officer'

July 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I'm living my dream as a pitchside announcer for Walsall FC and an esports event host - I keep thinking things can't get any better, then they do'

'I'm living my dream as a pitchside announcer for Walsall FC and an esports event host - I keep thinking things can't get any better, then they do'

Supporting image for story: 'I opened a cosy and relaxing pottery studio in Newport and haven't looked back'

'I opened a cosy and relaxing pottery studio in Newport and haven't looked back'

July 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I opened a shop just for dogs in a very dog-friendly West Midlands town where people come to treat their pets to a day out and we've got so many treats for them'

'I opened a shop just for dogs in a very dog-friendly West Midlands town where people come to treat their pets to a day out and we've got so many treats for them'

June 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'We run a mobile veterninary service across the West Midlands and can treat pets in the comfort of their own homes which brings so many benefits'

'We run a mobile veterninary service across the West Midlands and can treat pets in the comfort of their own homes which brings so many benefits'

Supporting image for story: 'His heart was open to everybody' Black Country band raise money for hospice in memory of 'kind' musician

'His heart was open to everybody' Black Country band raise money for hospice in memory of 'kind' musician

June 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I'm a travel expert and I plan people's dream holidays from my office in Brewood'

'I'm a travel expert and I plan people's dream holidays from my office in Brewood'

June 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: Watch: Stourbridge singer-songwriter Susy Wall performs a song from her new album which celebrates the Black Country

Watch: Stourbridge singer-songwriter Susy Wall performs a song from her new album which celebrates the Black Country

June 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It’s very calming and therapeutic' - Albrighton charity helping people reap the benefits of angling

'It’s very calming and therapeutic' - Albrighton charity helping people reap the benefits of angling

May 31, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I started a craft business in Bearwood while pregnant and now I sell to customers around the world'

'I started a craft business in Bearwood while pregnant and now I sell to customers around the world'

May 24, 2025

Supporting image for story: "I left teaching to become an osteopath and now help people in pain at my practice in Eccleshall"

"I left teaching to become an osteopath and now help people in pain at my practice in Eccleshall"