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SENIOR MEMBERS of the Judiciary, Magistracy, Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service, the Police & Crime Commissioner, and senior police officers joined Mayors and Mayoresses, cadets and leading multi-faith figures in Coventry as the city hosted this year’s West Midlands’ Annual Justice Service.
More than 400 invited guests attended the event hosted by the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Louise Bennett OBE DL, and held at Coventry Cathedral to celebrate and recognise the efforts of individuals who work in the administration of justice in the region.
The service was also attended by Col. George Marsh MBE TD DL, representing Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, and given in the presence of Lady Justice Thirlwall DBE, Lady Justice of Appeal and Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, the Senior Presiding Judge for England, and Wales.
The service was officiated by the Very Reverend John Witcombe, the Dean of Coventry and Chaplain to the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, who said this year’s event marked an historic occasion for Coventry. Not only was this the first time the city had hosted the event, which has always taken place in Birmingham, this landmark occasion had also taken place during Coventry’s year as the UK’s City of Culture.
During his sermon, the Dean spoke of Coventry’s status as a city of peace and reconciliation and the importance of helping those around us to achieve their full potential – a key theme in Louise’s shrieval year as she advocates equal opportunities for young people from all walks of life.
In addressing the congregation Louise said: “It seems very appropriate that, today more than any day, here in the city of peace and reconciliation, we offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to the judiciary, the magistracy, all of those who work in our courts and tribunal services and our legal system, our police, prison and probation services, emergency services and health care professionals.
“A thank you for all the work you do to keep us safe, not least during these unprecedented and constantly changing times of a Covid19 pandemic.
“Your work to administer justice, to give peace and hope to those who seek justice, to care for us and to keep us safe in our daily lives is invaluable. “It is immeasurable.”
The event ended with a reception and choral music from Fridays’ Choir – a community interest company founded by Tyler Campbell to provide a safe, sociable event for 15 to 17 year olds every Friday and steer them away from knife crime, gangs, and violence.
Guests were also invited to join a VIP tour of the Turner Prize exhibition, taking place at the nearby Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
A new artisan produce shop championing local independents and a 1950s-style dessert diner have been unveiled at an award-winning Warwickshire hotel.
This is an exciting new endeavour by No Ordinary Hospitality Management, the company which manages Coombe Abbey Hotel, just outside of Coventry. The two new outlets, which have seen a £185,000 investment, are inside the visitor centre at Coombe Abbey Park.
No Ordinary Hospitality Management also runs The Café in the Park, Kiosk in the Park and an ice-cream kiosk located within the grounds of the 500-acre parklands.
The launch coincides with Luminate Coombe, a family-friendly illuminated Christmas light trail, and is located close to outdoor tree top adventure site Go Ape.
The Sundae Club with its retro teal leather booths and diner bar stools combined with baby pink walls has an authentic 1950s vibe. There’s even a playlist airing music from the era.
Visitors can order a wide variety of ice cream sundaes, waffles, crepes and shakes ranging from a Knickerbocker Glory sundae to caramel shortcake waffles and mango milkshake, along with vegan potted ice-creams, cheesecakes, cakes and hot drinks.
The Abbey Artisan Market is fully stocked with produce from local suppliers, including Coombe Abbey Gin specially created by 1000 Trades Distillery, an award-winning artisan spirits producer in Redditch.
Founder Philip Warren set up the distillery last year and has already clocked up two top spirit awards in the last 12 months.
He said: “It’s fantastic that Coombe Abbey is supporting our distillery. For us, it’s a massive opportunity for brand awareness with such a large footfall to the park and it’s a very good idea to diversify the business on their part.”
A range of Christmas gift packs are also available, plus Holy Cow artisan curry kits, preserves and chutneys from The Bay Tree and Cotswold Fayre as well as outdoor wear from Regatta Clothing.
No Ordinary Hospitality Management also operates a number of historic buildings in Coventry: St Mary’s Guildhall, a Grade I-listed medieval building in Bayley Lane currently undergoing a £5.6 million restoration project, and six beautifully restored historic cottages offering boutique stays for short breaks.
The plan is for Coombe Abbey to grow as a destination day out, as well as a four-star hotel well-known for its extensive top-class social events programme and acclaimed afternoon teas.
Richard Harrison, managing director of No Ordinary Hospitality Management, said: “Our desire is to drive visitors to Coombe as more of a destination and to give people an extra reason to visit.
“We’re passionate about supporting local suppliers in The Abbey Artisan Market and would like to invite local food and drink producers across Coventry and Warwickshire looking to showcase their products in the store to please contact No Ordinary Hospitality Management.
“With The Sundae Club, we had an idea to create a fun, colourful dessert diner with a 1950s feel in a different setting as usually they’re found on the high street. Hopefully it will be the first of many.”
First look inside the new Abbey Artisan Market
Warwick researcher to explore search for flavour in modern Britain
The UK’s love affair with tasty food from around the world wasn’t dented by lockdown, with home delivery services bringing Indian, Chinese, Thai and many other international cuisines to the doorstep.
But what drives people’s love of new flavours and willingness to experiment? How did olive oil change from being something bought from the chemist in tiny bottles to tackle medical problems, to becoming a key ingredient in home cooking? And how does exposure to new flavours and ingredients influence society?
Dr Mandy Sadan, associate professor in the global sustainable development (GSD) department at the University of Warwick, will explore ‘Flavour in the Making of Modern Britain’ thanks to the award of a major research fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust.
The project will begin in September 2022 and will run for three years.
Describing the project, Dr Sadan said: “Flavour is a really important part of national, regional and local food systems but it’s under-researched and poorly understood.
“It’s becoming clear that the search for flavoursome food has probably been one of the most important drivers of human social and cultural development.
“I hope that my research will contribute to new ways of thinking about the global shaping and creation of Britain as a corrective to simplistic dialogues about ‘multiculturalism’ and the economic and cultural contribution of different communities. "There is a much bigger story waiting to be told about population-level changes in flavour preference that I want to explore. The emergence of the new flavour and ingredients houses, technological developments, and understanding the chemistry of flavour are all important factors. Flavour preference is a very complex issue involving neuroscience and nurture, as well as a host of wider environmental factors.”
Every year, the Leverhulme Trust awards around 30 major research fellowships, which are intended for “wellestablished, distinguished researchers in the humanities and social sciences to complete a piece of original research”.
College marketing team named ‘best of the best’ in industry awards
The Marketing team at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) has won two Gold and one Silver FE First Awards and been judged as ‘Best of the Best’ amongst its peers as part of a national scheme run by the College Marketing Network.
The Gold awards recognised the NWSLC prospectus for its digital interactivity as well as its highly successful campaign to broaden the college’s reach using digital and social media. The team also won a Silver award for innovation and creativity after it led a VR project that enabled school pupils to access college facilities remotely during lockdown. As a result of its performance in three of the 11 awards categories, the college was named ‘Best of the Best’ overall.
The FE First awards, presented annually to further education colleges who have excelled in a variety of marketing disciplines, were presented by Rachel Smith, Chief Executive of the College Marketing Network at on online ceremony on 29 November.
The NWSLC marketing team worked with design agency, Leicesterbased Creative62 and digital agency Unity to design a magazine style interactive prospectus that included elements of gamification including quizzes, social media filters, live chat through a personalised avatar, the hologramisation of the principal, and a live speed reaction test.
Anita Ladva-Cheung, Marketing and Communications Manager at NWSLC said, “The college is delighted to have been recognised in so many categories through these awards and particularly thrilled to have been named as the best team overall.
“NWSLC is always keen to embrace innovation and showcase its digital capabilities to reinforce the way in which colleges offer pathways to futureproofed careers. Our audiences expect a level of digital interactivity including within printed communications including the use of AR, VR, holography, and video to bring messages to life off the page. We wanted to create an interactive prospectus that included gamification to stimulate engagement and get young people thinking about their post-16 options.”
Winning the award for digital and social media, the college’s Facebook Live series was launched when the usual channels for reaching out to its audiences were limited by coronavirus restrictions. The NWSLC team were looking for the best route for engaging with parents to reassure them about college options and enable them to ask questions.
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said, “We place a significant emphasis on online and digital skills at the college and teach them ourselves including through our Digital Skills Academy. We take a whole-organisation approach to keeping abreast of the latest developments so we can inspire our students with exciting career ideas that open routes into industry.
“The Marketing team continuously adapt their approaches to our audiences finding new ways to reach people and communicate the benefits of further education. I am proud of their achievements and very pleased that the work of the team has been recognised as part of this scheme.”
Adults urged to improve their learning power
Thosewho arelookingto learn a new language, progress intheir current skills,gain a qualificationor just do somethingthey've always dreamed ofarebeing urged to look at what’s on offer throughWarwickshire AdultandCommunityLearning (ACL).
ACL providesa high-quality range of accessible courses for adults across the county, which range fromfunctionalskillsEnglish andMaths tolanguages, arts and crafts.Some of the courses lead tonationally recognised qualifications.
Courses startedinJanuary 2022 ina variety of subjects and enrolments are open now.
Cllr Jeff Morgan, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for children, families and education, said: “AdultandCommunity Learning has been recognised for its work with different groups and for helping to bring communities together through learning and enjoyment.
“The serviceplays a vital role in supporting residents on their journey to learn skills to enter, return to or progress in work.
“The courses have shown that learning at all ages makes people happier, healthier, more confident, capable andresilient. Even for those who aren’t looking to progress in the workplace but are just looking for something to expand their skills and personal sense of wellbeing, there’s a lot to be gained from getting involved and having a go.”
Among the courses on offer is the sugar craft course for those interestedin food art.
Ifforeign languagesare of interest, there’s thechance to learn Latin, Italian and Spanish.
For Warwickshire residents interested in improving their English abilities,orwhoaspire toprogress in their career andenhance employment prospects,ACL hasorganisedfast track English courses. This could lead toa level two English qualification withintenweeks, whileother qualifications can be achieved in spelling, grammar and punctuation.
The courses runacrossthe day and evening, making it easy to fit your studies around your work and childcare commitments.
For more information, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/acl and click ‘Find a Course’.
Meet skills challenges head on!
Back, from the left, Graeme Stewart (HORIBA MIRA), Damian Pearce (UK Battery Industrialisation Centre), Dr Marc Henry (MTC), Prof Rohit Bhagat (Coventry University), Stuart Bage (GE Power Conversion). From, from the left, Steve Doyle (EVera Recruitment), Dr Benjamin Silverstone (WMG, University of Warwick), Cllr Jim O’Boyle (Coventry City Council), Marion Plant (CWLEP), Cllr Kam Kaur (Warwickshire County Council), Vicki Mills (Potenza CNH).
Coventry and Warwickshire should look at the skills shortage to help deliver the net zero vehicle revolution not as a problem but a challenge it can meet, a major event heard.
The Future of Vehicle Electrification Skills Summit was organised by Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council at the MIRA Technology Institute in Nuneaton.
Around 50 delegates heard from a wide range of speakers who explored the huge change electrification is bringing to the vehicle industry. They also gave insights into the skills needs of a rapidly-evolving industry and told how the region can be a leader in the field.
Electrification is a key focus of CWLEP in its Strategic Reset Framework, which is committed to green recovery, embracing innovative low carbon technologies and driving forward as the region’s lead on the country’s electrification revolution.
Dr Benjamin Silverstone, assistant professor at WMG, University of Warwick, and lead for the National Electrification Skills Framework, was among the keynote speakers along with Steve Doyle, CEO of EVera Recruitment, STEM ambassador and advisory board member to the University of Warwick for its apprentice battery degree.
Dr Silverstone said Coventry and Warwickshire was ideally placed with its rich heritage and global reputation in the automotive industry to be a trail-blazer in vehicle electrification.
He said: “We have to view this as a challenge – and one we can rise to. We need to inspire younger people to view this as a stimulating and rewarding career, rather than a job that helps us solve a problem.”
CWLEP board directors Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council, and Cllr Kam Kaur, portfolio holder for economy and place at Warwickshire County Council, also addressed the audience.
Mecalac announces new UK excavator dealer
Mecalac has announced the appointment of a new dealer to its UK and Ireland distribution network.
Headquartered in Stanton under Bardon, Leicestershire, Cooks Midlands will be responsible for retailing Mecalac’s globally-acclaimed excavator portfolio across the East Midlands.
Alongside new product sales, Cooks will deliver service agreements and aftersales. Renowned for extensive product knowledge, unrivalled sector experience and unbeatable on-site support, the team is trusted by countless construction professionals across the region.
Commenting on the announcement, Mark Royse, head of sales at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, said: “As a global leader in the compact equipment marketplace, further developing our distributor network is a key corporate goal. Alongside increasing access to our latest range of innovative excavator models, this strategy aims to broaden our national service and maintenance reach.
“With considerable pedigree in the market, we look forward to working with Cooks to drive widespread brand awareness and build strong bonds with excavator operators across the East Midlands.”
Darren Cook, managing director at Cooks Midlands, added: “Mecalac’s unique excavator range is innovative, productive and developed to set the standards in both performance and capability. There is growing demand for the latest models across the Midlands, especially when it comes to forestry, agriculture and groundworks applications, so we’re confident that Mecalac’s portfolio will be well-received by owner-operators, site managers and rental firms alike.
“With a range renowned for performance, capability, flexibility and reliability, we’re looking forward to joining the Mecalac network and introducing more customers to the globally-acclaimed brand.”
For more information visit www.mecalac.com/en and www.cooksmidlands.co.uk.
Workshops to get your brand and marketing flying
Chamber members Glued have designed a range of Zoom virtual workshops to help your organisation grow throughout these challenging times.
Whether you're a start-up looking to develop your USP; an established business wanting to refine your messaging; work towards a rebrand; or engage new and existing customers - the Agency’s growing series of workshops will give you practical tools to succeed.
• Messaging to maximise brand awareness workshop • Creating a powerful brand workshop • Email marketing: where to start workshop?
All virtual workshops aim to connect you with new audiences. Take a look at what people say about Glued’s virtual workshops: ‘Really useful space to think and develop my work on this. 10 out of 10.’
COVID memorial artwork seeks local sponsors
In March 2022, a unique public memorial will be built in Nuneaton & Bedworth, home to George Eliot and the country’s largest Armistice Day Parade.
Sanctuary will stand as a remarkable temporary structure and communal space of healing, built by the local community to commemorate the nation’s loss during COVID. Artichoke, a producer of extraordinary live events, will bring its unique approach to public art to the region, inviting people to come together in the spirit of remembrance and hope.
Working with American artist David Best and his crew, together they will build an intricately carved wooden structure in the Miners’ Welfare Park in Bedworth – dubbed “the town that never forgets”. Best is known for his soaring temples, built at Burning Man and elsewhere, quiet places for contemplation and reconciliation. Sanctuary will stand open to all for seven days, from March 7-13 2022, offering a space to remember our loved ones and act as a beacon of hope to mark rebirth, recovery and regeneration of the whole community.
Delivered in collaboration with Coventry-based company Imagineer, Sanctuary will bring people together from across the area and provide real opportunities for employment and training, working through local colleges, community groups and other local partners.
Sanctuary is seeking local businesses who want to play their part by supporting this oncein-a-generation opportunity. The Sanctuary Business Club starts from £500 + VAT and offers a range of benefits in return. Whether your company is looking to engage employees, boost your profile, or you’re simply a champion for everything Nuneaton & Bedworth has to offer, there’s a package for you.
Please get in touch with Ma-ayan Plane, deputy development director at Artichoke to find out more: Ma-ayan.Plane@artichoke.uk.com
Sanctuary is produced by Artichoke in association with Imagineer, is supported by Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund and Sanctuary Business Club partners.
The Leadership Coaches have been awarded the Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year award by the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.
Having launched in January 2020, just before the pandemic hit, here at The Leadership Coaches, we have spent most of our time in business adapting to not only working from home but launching without our primary route to market.
Committed to diversity and inclusion in everything we do, exceptional customer service, integrity, and social responsibility, we pride ourselves on our ability to supply leadership coaching, management development, bespoke consultancy services, and leadership and management courses.
Having been awarded the heroes award by HRH the Duchess of Sussex for our voluntary coaching support for the NHS, RCC, and local support our coaches provided to their communities, we are thrilled to have won the award, which celebrates businesses across Greater Birmingham.
Director of leadership Zoe Lewis said: “It was a delightful surprise to be awarded Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year at the prestigious Asian Business Chamber of Commerce! We were amongst exceptional organisations, and I was thrilled to see our fantastic team recognised.
“Some of the key points stood out in our application; we live our values, deploy an agile strategic plan, achieve excellent client feedback, and do good for our communities and the world around us. We are becoming our vision, which is to be synonymous with the phrase ‘leadership coaching’ and the first organisation you think of when you have leadership and management development opportunities. I’d like to say a huge thank you to our whole team who made this possible, as well as the ABCC, GBCC & the fabulous award sponsor Awan Marketing.”
Telegraph journalists have literally been sleeping on the job.
They were staying at the Telegraph Hotel, which has been converted from the former Coventry Evening Telegraph building where bedrooms have been fashioned out of the old newsroom.
Among them was Asif Khan. He was reunited with Colin Walkey, who he worked with in the mid-1970s and who he had not seen since Colin helped him and his late wife Joan, who had also worked at the Telegraph, to move to London in 1977 to further his career when he went to work for Visnews, now Reuters Television.
They were among a reunion of 20 journalists that worked at the newspaper and who returned to the city to stay at the Telegraph Hotel in Corporation Street, taking the opportunity also to visit some of the many redevelopment projects which are taking place.
Clare Turnbull, who organised the reunion and worked at the newspaper from 19781986, said it had been wonderful meeting up with so many old colleagues.
She said: “Asif and Colin had not seen each other or chatted since Asif left Coventry so it was a wonderful reunion after nearly 45 years!
“We were all blown away by the new hotel. Some of us saw it four years ago when it was in the process of being refurbished. We were all so impressed by the overall quality and finishing of everything as well as the attention to detail.”
The 88-room Telegraph Hotel, which opened in May, has been included in the prestigious Sunday Times 100 Best British Hotels guide. It is operated by Bespoke Hotels following a two-year £18 million investment programme by owners Complex Development Projects.
General manager Amy Windsor said: “It was fantastic to receive such glowing comments from a group of journalists who spent so much of their working lives in this building – I assume it was the first time they had slept in the building!”
Bedworth Junior School gets makeover from college students
The headteacher of a Bedworth school has praised the work of students from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) who have given the school a makeover as part of a project to help improve the environment in its local community.
Foundation learning students at the college’s Nuneaton Campus worked tirelessly to overhaul the grounds at Exhall Junior School in Bedworth, weed the garden, redecorate the IT room and refresh the staffroom kitchen. They also refurbished an outdoor shelter in the grounds and provided a fresh and colourful coat of paint for the fence and benches.
Robert Mann, headteacher at Exhall Junior School, said: “We’re so grateful for the hard work of the NWSLC students. We’ve been amazed by what they’ve achieved and impressed with the difference they’ve made to our school facilities. Local residents have complimented us on our new look and we can’t thank the students enough for their hard work.”
The project is part of a ‘Respect’ scheme adopted by NWSLC to encourage good citizenship amongst its students. Students on the foundation learning programme have special educational needs and disabilities.
Their tutor, Ian Lee – himself a former pupil at the school – explained the rationale for the scheme and said: “We aim to provide students with live projects that give something back to the local community while enabling them to improve their teamwork, leadership and communication skills and help them to develop transferable skills for independent living. Achievements like these increase our students’ self-esteem and help their mental health and wellbeing.” “As a group, we assessed the work that needed doing and drew up a plan to make improvements where we could. The students have been delighted with the outcome and with the positive reaction they’ve had from the school. For me, it was lovely to return to my old school and brought back great memories.”
For more information visit www.nwslc.ac.uk
Sleeping on the job!
