15 minute read
Connectivity
Crucial to Recovery
Digital connectivity was high on the Government’s agenda long before anyone had heard of Covid-19, but when the global pandemic struck, it only served to highlight the crucial need for world-leading digital connectivity across the UK.
Leigh Hunt, Regional Partnership Director at CityFibre said: “Not only is digital connectivity underpinning economic and social inclusion, widespread home working and technology adoption today – it will drive the economic recovery going forward.”
CityFibre, the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform, is continuing its £60m digital transformation in Coventry. Work to roll out full fibre started in the north of the city in 2018, moving into the centre last year and has now expanded to the west, including parts of Westwood, Earlsdon, Canley and Tile Hill.
The work being undertaken will go a long way toward helping to achieve the Government’s vision for gigabit-capable connectivity to every home and business by 2025 and 5G to the majority of the UK by 2027. The vision is ambitious – and it is achievable – but only with a concerted effort.
Research* has found that slow internet connection speeds are a key barrier to industrial digital adoption, particularly amongst SMEs. And commercial building tenants deem good connectivity to be vital for business performance.
In addition to improving the performance of lowproductivity businesses, digital connectivity plays a wider role in addressing societal issues such as cutting carbon emissions by reducing need to commute. Nation-wide gigabit-capable connectivity could allow 400,000 more people to work from home, giving greater flexibility over where they live.
In 2020 the number of those working from home doubled, putting a huge strain on our legacy ‘copper’ infrastructure network as household members with competing priorities tried to educate themselves, work, stream, and game simultaneously.
A year later, living with the new normal has meant that for many of us good quality digital connectivity is vitally important to ensure that we can go about our everyday lives - and that is where full fibre comes in.
Full fibre broadband provides the highest level of connectivity, speed, near unlimited bandwidth and has much greater reliability, but it is currently available in less than 20% of homes nationally.
However, Coventry bucks that trend and by being one of CityFibre’s first gigabit-cities, the build is progressing well. Moving forward, the reliance on state-of-the-art connectivity is only going to increase and having this future-proof digital infrastructure will stand the city in great stead as it continues its evolution into a renowned digital hub with world-class connectivity, and the UK begins to tackle economic recovery during these unprecedented times.
To register your interest or check to see if you can connect to a full fibre network visit www.cityfibre.com/Covchamber
*Made Smarter Review 2017 – led by Jurgen Maier
Stress free internet
Enabled by CityFibre’s network
From flexible homeworking, streaming the footy or using apps to help life run smoothly. Great connectivity can give us all a boost. That’s why we’re building a new full fibre network, which enables empowering technologies both now and for decades to come.
Find out which broadband providers are available in your area.
www.cityfibre.com/Covchamber
The Heart of England Conference and Events Centre are thrilled to be welcoming and hosting the Miss England Finals this August. The final has been delayed more than once due to Covid but with August 27th announced as the new date, up to 45 Miss National finalists from all over the country will return to take to the catwalk in this prestigious event.
The show will consist of a sumptuous gala dinner, catwalk contest and live entertainment. Virtual tickets are available now through Miss England tickets@missengland.info
The winner of Miss England will go forward to the 70th Miss World final in Puerto Rico South America later this year with the chance of winning $100,000
The Heart of England site and grounds were also host to the ‘Mr and Miss England SportsRound’ which was held last month which was enjoyed by all.
Local student Kate Marie, 26, who is representing Coventry after winning a Virtual Wildcard heat on the Miss England App said: “I am really excited about the final of Miss England coming to my hometown of Coventry this year.
“It’s going to be an incredible year for Coventry as we have been awarded the City of Culture 2021.
“As we hold various events to celebrate our city, we will expect a major boost in tourism. I think this makes it perfect timing to host the Miss England contest, which celebrates achievements from women across the whole country.”
Kate is studying a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree at Harvard University Cambridge, and wants to get involved with International relations. When she graduates she wants to be a British Diplomat.
Owner of The Heart of England Stephen Hammon, who recently met Miss England when she visited the venue, said he was really excited the venue was hosting the event.
“We’re dedicated and passionate about events and are pulling out all the stops to add that sprinkling of magic and extra ‘wow’ factor to an already incredible event.”
Organiser Angie Beasley from Leicester said “We wanted a venue centrally located for our contestants to travel to with inhouse facilities such as stage sound and light.
“Heart of England certainly fits the bill.
“The contestants are raising funds for Beauty with a Purpose , a charity owned by Miss World which helps disadvantaged children ”
The reigning Miss England – NHS Doctor Bhasha Mukherjee – has been the longest serving Miss England due to the pandemic.
Bhasha, who visited the venue recently between working at Royal Derby Hospital, said “The Heart of England is an ideal location to host the final and it’s such a glamorous venue with the beautiful star cloth and lighting in the main room.
“I’m so impressed with the spacious facilities; the girls will be easily able to socially distance backstage.
“I’m looking forward to crowning my successor there in August if all goes to plan.”
For more information and ticket info visit www.missengland.info
Heart of England Conference and Events Centre is hosting a brand new festival for witches later this summer
The family-friendly weekend event, organised by a local group of witches called the Coven of Gaia, will take place on September 18th and 19th, and is aimed at those with experience in witchcraft, as well as people who want to learn more.
Set in Heart of England’s 80 acres of woodland, the weekend will offer a range of activities including basic and advanced witch workshops, spell work and divination, and night rituals. There will also be sessions aimed at those with a more general interest in spirituality, including tarot readings, runes, divination and meditation and yoga sessions.
Ancient skills like wood whittling will be on display, along with entertainment from fire dancers and a Viking Village for children. Craft stalls will sell everything from spell supplies to crystals and clothing, and there will be options to buy food and drink for a full family day out. There is even the opportunity to camp if people want to make a weekend of it.
Tickets are £15 per day or £30 for a weekend ticket. One child under 14 is free, with additional children charged at £5 per child. Camping is available but not included in ticket price. Tickets available from www.covenofgaia.co.uk/
Pods, Garden Studios and Bars available and Glamping Facilities at The Heart of England
During Covid, diversification was very much on top of the agenda for The Heart of England Conference & Events Centre. A firm favourite in the hospitality industry, not only were their conferences, events and weddings hit hard but also their restaurant and hotel and glamping offerings too.
They did not sit still though investing heavily in the design and build of new glamping pods, a dining pod, even an office pod and have added to their glamping facilities. You can book a stay right now in a choice of pods, shepherd huts, log cabin or hotel and mention when booking you want an added hot tub!
To book a stay, visit www.stayatheart.co.uk To view the pods and new garden studios visit www.heartpods.uk or call for more information on 01676 540333
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The Fillongley Show 2021
A Traditional Country Show comes to The Heart of England Conference & Events Centre for the first time this September!
A great family day out at a traditional country show in Warwickshire. Livestock, crafts, competitions, rides, entertainment, horticultural, dog show etc.
For 100 years the Fillongley Agricultural Society have entertained the farming community and general public with a show, but for the first time in living memory, the annual Fillongley Show will be held - in Fillongley!
The Fillongley Agricultural Society are proud to announce the return of their traditional show with everything we have learned to love during the pandemic – the countryside, animals, great food, gardening, crafting, wildlife, family time, hobbies and good fun – all can be found at the 2021 Fillongley Show, as well as the usual beloved competitions. To be held this year in the amazing grounds of the Heart of England Events Centre on the Meriden Road in Fillongley, Warwickshire.
We are delighted to announce the return, by popular demand, of the exciting Scurry Driving! Who doesn’t want to watch galloping ponies with brave drivers racing around the course? The hilarious K9 Quackers Sheepdog and Duck Display will be there to entertain all ages with their special ‘duck-u-tainment’ and lots of fun for children and adults alike with the dog show (bring your dog and enter on the day!), brilliant craft tent where you can admire and buy a wide range of wonderful crafts directly from the makers, wide range of trade stands, vintage cars and tractors, heavy horses, panto horse racing, face painting, fancy dress, silver band and so much more!
But it wouldn’t be the Fillongley Show without all the farm animals – livestock you can admire close up and then watch the spectacular winners parade in the ring - cattle, sheep and pigs and a display of poultry and guinea pigs in the fur and feather tent, as well as all the horse events for adults and children with showing classes and show jumping, fancy dress on horseback and the impressive heavy horses.
Why not enter your vegetables, flowers or cakes and jams in the horticultural classes, or your photographs, paintings or other crafts. Get the children to colour the picture in the schedule to win a prize, or make one of the models to compete. If you keep chickens, enter some eggs in the egg competition to win rosettes and cups – all details are on the website.
It’s a great day out for all the family.
www.fillongleyshow.org.uk Facebook - Fillongley Show Est’ 1919. Contact the Show Secretary for all information on 07928 231460 secretary@fillongleyshow.org.uk
SATURDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER
Heart of England Events Centre,
Meriden Road, Fillongley, Warwickshire CV7 8DX
Ticket Prices
Adults £10 • Children Under 5 years Free • Children 5 years to 16 years £3 • Family Ticket – 2 adults and up to 4 children £25 (extra tickets on the gate)
To get your tickets – visit: https://bit.ly/3yuqiiJ Free Parking
People have been flocking back to The Quicken Tree since lockdown lifted. The Quicken Tree at The Heart of England Conference & Events Centre, has been welcoming people back and bookings have been booming!
The managing director of The Heart of England – Stephen Hammon said, “As a modern restaurant and bar with oodles of outdoor space both covered and
Each year The Heart of England Conference & Events Centre are totally overwhelmed by compliments and positive feedback from the food, the entertainment, the staff to the games marquee. They work very hard to deliver The Best Christmas Party Ever!
This year they’re thrilled to bring to you
'THE SNOW MUST GO ON'
A choreographed Queen-themed cabaret spectacular starring undoubtedly the greatest front man of them all - Freddie Mercury. One of the greatest Rock bands of all time, their extraordinary appeal owed much to the boundless charisma of their incredible vocalist.
We aim to capture the Majesty of his performance in our unique tribute. www.cw-chamber.co.uk
The Quicken Tree
Bar and Grill at The Heart of England
uncovered, everyone has been making full use of what we have to offer. We’re a firm favourite with locals and non-locals alike, I think that’s down to us having something different that very few others can offer. We have 160 acres of land, lakes and activities running for the kids and plenty of space to run around whilst parents can enjoy their food and drinks out on the terraces overlooking the land whilst keeping an eye on their children. We’ve also recently added ‘The Posh Pod’ a very cool glassed pod that’s perfect for socially distanced private dining.”
If you’d like to book a table please call 01676 543300. For more information visit www.quicken-tree.co.uk
Activities will be running throughout the summer holidays for the kids so keep an eye out on their facebook page for updates. www.facebook.com/quickentreerestaurant/
The SNOW MUST GO ON with Christmas Parties
With their spectacularly Christmas themed party room, the amazing venue provides the ultimate setting for a party, with spectacular lighting, video projection, theming and separate games marquee packed full of entertainment.
A welcome drink is waiting for you as you arrive for your party. Your host Stephen Hammon will then invite you to sit and enjoy your beautifully prepared three course festive feast.
The wonderfully talented team of performers will entertain you with a special cabaret performance set to some of your favourite Queen songs; featuring dance, acrobatics, fire, climbing high into the air and spinning across the stage in a wheel of steel.
But that's not all, so 'Don't Stop Me Now' because after dinner, if you 'Want To Break Free'... The Games Marquee opens. The Marquee is packed full of games, amusements, entertainment and photo opportunities. There is a Fun Casino with Blackjack and Roulette tables, Rocking Rudolph, Sumo Santas, Snowboard Simulator, Virtual Reality Downhill Skiing, Giant Games and much much more and to top it all off... The Waltzers! With it's own bar, the Games Marquee is the place to be for those who want to have fun.
Meanwhile, back in the main room, 'It's A Kind Of Magic' it's where the party people strut their stuff. The resident DJ will entice you to the dancefloor with a brilliant selection of music, spectacular lighting and lasers. You can bust your moves until the early hours.
They’re 'Under Pressure' to top the last Christmas Parties but as they said: “We Are The Champions' of the Christmas Party Scene - You'll be going Ga-Ga as we recreate the 'Kind Of Magic' that Queen were famous for - with a little extra besides to Rock You.
Freddie may no longer be with us but.... THE SNOW MUST GO ON”
HOW TO BOOK Visit our website www.christmasattheheart.co.uk Book tickets by calling 01676 540333
£20 per person deposit is required at the time of booking with the remaining balance due 4 weeks before the date of your event. Group bookings must be made in one go to ensure you are seated together. Please send any drinks preorders 4 weeks in advance of the event.
ROAD 2 HELL
The live action Horror Drive Experience at The Heart of England - Coventry, wins a prestigious Industry Award making them officially, the best drive thru scare experience in the country!
Following on from the enormous success of last year’s event, it’s the announcement all horror fans have been waiting for: the award winning ROAD 2 HELL returns this October with another dose of gruesomely good fun!
And after scooping one of the top Scare Industry awards, it’s now also officially the best drive thru scare experience in the country!
Heart of England Conference and Events Centre have again teamed up with Masters of Horror AREA 51 to bring you what is now recognised as the biggest, baddest and best interactive drive thru horror show in the UK.
The team said “You’ve heard the rumours – maybe you escaped with your sanity intact last year? Whatever the case, we dare you to take a drive into our Forbidden Forest… and find out what horrors its Evil inhabitant s have in store for you in 2021.
In 2020 we nailed it; catering for over 25K visitors across 30 nights of Horror – even the Pandemic couldn’t stop us in our tracks. Split in half by a sudden lockdown, we came back with a devilishly good Christmas Twist.
We can already report demonic howling in the night and the sound of splintering trees as the creatures of the night once again draw their plans against you, and begin to set their traps accordingly.”
Heart of England Horror shot straight to the top of everyone’s Halloween event lists, attracting hundreds of 5 star ratings from punters and reviewers alike. The experience was so well received, it was nominated in multiple categories in this year’s prestigious Scare Awards – the SCARs - battling it out amongst the likes of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Tulley's Shocktoberfest
A fully immersive 1.5 mile, 20 minute journey takes you deep into lost woodlands, encountering multiple blood chilling scenarios along the way – the hideous monsters that haunt this evil place will be your pursuers. We do hope you’ll be safe inside your cars.. time will only tell. If you follow the map and make it out alive then you’ll have one heck of a horror story to tell!
It’s all terrifyingly good in-car entertainment; a fully fleshed festival of fear set in the dark Heart of England, just 10 minutes from Birmingham International Airport…
