8 minute read
News
‘Real life’ dinosaurs are set to make a ‘roar-some’ return to Hatton Adventure World this summer. Millions of years ago they ruled the earth, but now they are back! Families can venture to Hatton to admire these amazing pre-historic creatures from July 23- September 4.
The primeval beasts will be brought back to life using state-of-the-art animatronics, puppetry and SFX. The event will feature Europe’s largest walking dinosaurs including the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex, towering Brontosaurus & ferocious Raptors. Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with the dinosaurs as well as learning how to tame them with the Dino Rangers interactive, hilarious and educational shows, plus other dinosaur activities.
Johnnie Arkwright, owner of Hatton Country World, said: “We launched Dinosaurs Alive last summer, which was incredibly popular with children of all ages. This summer, Dinosaurs Alive will be even bigger and better than before with more dinosaurs and state-of-the-art special effects! Hatton is such a great attraction for families to visit, especially being outside with plenty of space with so much to see and do over the summer holidays.”
Older children can also enjoy a full programme of activities including three outdoor Laser Combat challenges; Death Match, Domination and Capture the Flag! There are also family shows featuring magic and puppetry each day. Visitors can also feed farm animals, handle exotic creatures in Scales and Tails, watch Falconry Displays and cheer on the famous Sheep Grand National. Plus, there’ll be Tractor Safari Rides, Funfair & Bouncy Castles, and the giant indoor soft play area, Snorty’s Superslide Mania.
Dinosaurs Alive includes full entry to Hatton Adventure World. Tickets cost from £17.95 per child and adult. All day parking is £2. Hatton Adventure World is open every day throughout the year (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day) from 10am to 5.30pm.
For more information visit https://adventure.hattonworld.com/ “We launched Dinosaurs Alive last summer, which was incredibly popular with children of all ages. This summer, Dinosaurs Alive will be even bigger and better than before with more dinosaurs and state-of-the-art special effects!"
Hospitality hub receives double award
A popular food and drink hub in Coventry has celebrated its first anniversary in style by winning two awards.
Metropolis Bar and Restaurant received the Food Hero Community Award at the Foodie Awards – held at Fargo Village, Coventry – and one of its employees, Kevin Prior, was named Employee of the Year.
The popular bar and restaurant operates under the auspices of PET-Xi, a leading regional training provider, and is focused on supporting people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) with the job opportunities that enable them to develop their hospitality skills.
Metropolis, the result of a partnership with Historic Coventry Trust, first opened its doors in July 2021 and is now an award-winning bar and restaurant with 20 staff – with 50% of all profits going to community projects which restore buildings in Coventry.
Kevin, 34, joined the Metropolis team as a kitchen porter after completing PET-Xi’s Level 2 Customer Service course, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
While training, Kevin was given CV support, tips on how to create a professional first impression, advice on how to develop customer relationships and shown different techniques to call upon when dealing with customer feedback.
Fleur Sexton, CEO and co-founder of PET-Xi Training, said: “Coming away from the esteemed Foodie Awards with the Food Hero Community Award and Employee of The Year prizes is a really special way to celebrate our first year as a bar and restaurant. We’re really proud to have been recognised by the Foodie Awards for our efforts.
“When we first opened last June, our aim for Metropolis was to establish it as a casual, relaxed dining and drinking experience for all, while also providing a platform for young people to gain qualifications and some welcome hospitality experience.”
For more information visit www.metropolis-restaurant.co.uk/
Lawyers to embark on bike ride for children’s charity
Lawyers from Stratford firm Lodders are taking on a three-day,185-mile bike ride from York to Warwick to raise thousands of pounds for local children’s charity, Molly Ollys.
Mike Wakeling and Alastair Frew, both partners at Lodders, are taking part in the charity’s fundraising cycle ride in July. The ride leaves York Castle and will finish at the Durham Ox in Shrewley near Warwick two days later.
Rachel Ollerenshaw and her husband, Tim, set up Molly Ollys not long after their daughter, Molly, sadly died from a rare kidney cancer.
The charity, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, emotionally supports babies and children up to 18 who have life-threatening illnesses, and their families, to help with their emotional wellbeing. It provides gifts to individuals and donates therapeutic toys and books to children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.
Lodders’ serial fundraising duo are no strangers to long-distance charity bike rides – Mike and Alastair were part of Lodders’ cycling team that completed a 310-mile London to Paris ride in 2019 that raised over £7,000 for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.
Mike Wakeling said: The charity is very dear to me. Molly was at school with my son Ben, and I know her parents Tim and Rachel well. When I heard about the York to Warwick Bike Ride, I knew I wanted to take part and help raise funds to support Molly Olly and its team to continue their amazing work.”
Rachel Ollerenshaw added: “The tenth anniversary cycle ride is an important moment for Molly Ollys and for us as Molly’s family. We are hugely grateful to the team at Lodders for participating, and their contribution will certainly make the dark days brighter for children facing extremely challenging circumstances.”
For more information and to support Michael and Alastair with their fundraising for Molly Ollys, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/molly-ollys-lodders For more information on Lodders, visit: www.lodders.co.uk
One-year milestone for business support scheme
A business programme run by a premier training provider which has helped fledgling Warwickshire entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into reality celebrated its first successful year at a special event showcasing the impact the funding is having in the region.
The Business Futures Celebration Event, held at the Metropolis Bar and Restaurant in the heart of the city of Coventry, championed the budding businesses that have benefited from the Business Futures programme set up by the award-winning PET-Xi.
PET-Xi is now looking to help more people who have a great idea for a business but need a helping hand in getting it started.
At the event, several former PET-Xi trainees showcased their businesses, spoke about how they have benefited from PET-Xi’s Business Futures Programme, and how they applied the skills they picked up on the course to their business.
PET-Xi founder, Fleur Sexton, led a talk on the firm itself, discussing how the next generation of local businessowners can use Business Futures to pick up a range of business and advice, enabling them to turn their business idea from concept to reality.
Fleur said: “I know what it’s like to be at the beginning of a business journey – and how essential it is to get out there and make connections and stay resilient when things go wrong. It’s so important that businesspeople surround themselves with a great support network and connect with as many like-minded entrepreneurs as possible.
“As a Warwickshire-based business, PET-Xi knows how to help facilitate these discussions – enabling innovators to share ideas and work together to deal with the unique trials and tribulations that come with owning and running a business.
“The Business Futures event was the perfect way for us to reflect on the progress we’ve made and shine a light on the amazing people and businesses in the region that we’ve worked with.”
Business Futures is a governmentfunded programme through the UK Community Renewal Fund, which is allocated locally through Warwickshire County Council. Participants must be aged between 16 and 65, unemployed and living in Warwickshire.
Bromwich Hardy scores with new sponsorship deal
Bromwich Hardy are sponsoring Coventry Rugby Club
Award-winning commercial property agency Bromwich Hardy has signed a new sponsorship deal with Coventry Rugby Club.
Tom Bromwich, founding partner of the Coventry agency, said the deal was an excellent opportunity for the expanding firm to show its continuing support for its home city.
“We’re very fortunate to be growing the business and now find ourselves working all across the country,” said Tom.
“But Coventry remains our home and we’re delighted to be able to play our part in supporting the city through this sponsorship deal.
“Coventry Rugby Club has a proud tradition in the history of the sport in this country – with a long list of international players having represented the club – and is an ambitious and forward-looking club.
“Last season they finished eighth in the Championship – the second tier of English rugby – and reached the final of the Championship Cup. Off the field, they play a huge role in the community through their foundation and outreach activity, and it’s a pleasure to be involved with them.”
Matt Cannon, general manager from the club, said he was delighted to welcome Bromwich Hardy to the team.
He said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Bromwich Hardy on board at Butts Park Arena – they have a fantastic reputation locally and I cannot wait to work with partner Dawn Cooper and Tom to drive the relationship forward.
“Their professionalism and work within the community is something we admire and we’re thrilled to announce this partnership and enjoy many match days together in the Platinum Marquee.”
The deal widens Bromwich Hardy’s sporting sponsorships which also include being shirt sponsor for Kenilworth Rugby Club and support for Coventry Alvis Football Club and Cardiff Met Netball Club.
Bromwich Hardy is one of the country’s largest independent commercial property agencies, regularly featuring in independent lists of the most active firms in the industry.
