Warwickshire Now December 2021/January 2022 by PW Media & Publishing Ltd

Warwickshire Christmas in the Wonderful Solihull

Now

CHRISTMAS TIME PUTTING UP YOUR TREE FESTIVE WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 | ISSUE 59

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

Jingle Bell Jog, Festive Feast, T-Rex-Mas and more... www.solihullbid.co.uk

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HOMES • GARDENS • EDUCATION • HEALTH & BEAUTY • PUZZLES • COMPETITIONS

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Warwickshire

Now

Contents

14 14

DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 HERE & NOW 04 All the latest news from around Warwickshire.

HOME & GARDEN 08 Decorate your home this Christmas 14 The best time to put up your tree

EDUCATION 22 Exams in 2022

SENIOR LIVING 24 Get a good night’s sleep

WHAT’S ON 30 What’s on this festive period

WA R W I C K S H I R E

EDITOR

DESIGN

Dawn Pardoe PW Media & Publishing Ltd dawn@pw-media.co.uk

Daisy Bennett daisy@pw-media.co.uk

01905 723011

ADVERTISING

NOW nowmagazines.co.uk PW Media & Publishing Ltd Lower House, Whyle Lane Pudleston, Nr Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0RQ

Kate Gilmartin 01905 727904 kate@pw-media.co.uk Lis Gardner 01905 727901 lis@pw-media.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Care UK Daisy Bennett King’s High Kingsley School

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictoral media for this publication are sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PW Media & Publishing Ltd or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope. DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PW Media & Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. Please note that if you enter a competition in the Warwickshire Now magazine your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

Birmingham Dogs Home launches ‘Tribute Tree’ to remember lost loved ones this Christmas

The Midlands’ oldest and best-loved animal welfare charity, Birmingham Dogs Home, is inviting dog lovers to pay tribute to lost loved ones this Christmas by engraving their name on their new Tribute Tree sculpture as part of their ‘December to Remember’ appeal. Launched on Monday 15th November, the tree contains 450 gold, silver and bronze leaves for dog parents to honour both family members and their late four-legged friends by writing a personalised message in their memory. Not only will the donated leaf provide comfort to bereaved families, but it will help feed the 150 homeless dogs residing at the charity’s two rescue centres this Christmas. For those unable to make the journey to the charity’s Catherine-de-Barnes centre, the charity has introduced an online memorial page to its website so donations can be made in honour of dog lovers. If you would like to dedicate a tribute leaf, make a donation in memory of a loved one, or donate a Christmas dinner for a dog without a home this year, please visit the charity’s website www. birminghamdogshome.org.uk. n n 4 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 59 | December 2021/January 2022

Andy Bennett plays Leamington Spa

An indie-rock powerhouse, Andy Bennett has had an illustrious career working with the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Liam Gallagher, and Roy Wood. As a singer songwriter Bennet is a versatile artist with influences ranging from Robert Plant to The Beatles. Some of the most influential artists in Bennett’s career have been Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Crosby Still and Nash, ELO, Jackson Brown, Pearl Jam, and Eric Clapton. A talented musician, Andy is multi-skilled playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass and drums. He is also recognised for his songwriting style once described as “musical and lyrical poetry” (Flick of the Finger 2016) To date, Bennett has worked or performed with Andy Fairweatherlow, Paul Weller, PP Arnold, Bev Bevan, Roy wood, Liam Gallagher, Dodgy, Toploader, Brian McFadden at venues including as NEC arena, Wembley arena, Glasgow SECC hydro and Royal albert hall. With his roots evolving from a career with the world-renowned Ocean Colour Scene, Andy has big plans for the future with his alreadysuccessful solo career. See him at Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa on December 18th. Box Office : 07411 428646.n

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HERE & NOW

A Royal audience for Warwick A ground-breaking singing project received a royal seal of approval when HRH Princess Anne visited Warwick School on Friday 5th November.    Children aged 7 – 11 years from local school, St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School performed for the Princess and excitement was high amongst pupils and parents alike.    Headteacher Robert Gargan said: ‘We feel very honoured to have been asked to sing to Princess Anne on her visit to Warwick and are very delighted that Warwick - A Singing Town provided this unique opportunity for us. Warwick – A Singing Town provide a specialist ‘Choral Entrepreneur’ to work with all our children on a weekly basis and this is a very valuable and special initiative.’  n

Join Jingle Bell Jog Solihull BID are on the lookout for budding Santas to take part in the Jingle Bell Jog and raise vital money for charity. The family fun run, kindly sponsored by Touchwood, will see hundreds of Father Christmases running, dancing and jingling around the 2.5km course through Solihull town centre on Sunday, December 12th. Entrants will receive their own Santa suit and they’ll also pick up a Santa medal and Solihull BID Christmas tote bag filled with discounts for town centre venues when they cross the finish line. The fun event, whilst putting smiles on plenty of faces in the town centre, will also be raising cash for Change Into Action, a charity supporting rough sleepers and homeless people at risk of sleeping rough in Solihull. Over £2,000 was collected through the Jingle Bell Jog in 2019 and it is hoped that amount will be comfortably surpassed this time around. Melanie Palmer, Chief Executive of Solihull BID, said: “This is the ‘Christmas Spirit’ in a nutshell. A great event bringing family and friends together in a fun environment, knowing that as they jog, they are also helping those less fortunate at this time of year. It’s such a fantastic sight to see hundreds of Santas of all ages, and even the odd four-legged friend, bringing festive cheer to all!” As well as having plenty of fun, your entrance fee will be helping to raise vital funds for the Change Into Action charity. Registrations cost £12 for adults and £8 for children under 12, plus booking fees. To sign up for the Jingle Bell Jog, head towww.solihullbid.co.uk/jingle Change into Action is an Alternative Giving Scheme in Solihull, supporting specialist organisations and outreach services working to change the circumstances of rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming rough sleepers. Working alongside agencies such as the West Midlands Combined Authority, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and West Midlands Police, Solihull BID hopes to make a lasting difference. n

See Rapunzel at The Theatre Chipping Norton Knights, maidens, sword fights and sea-storms, sweeties and singalongs – this joyful reimagining of Rapunzel has it all! Treat your family to a trip to the Panto this Christmas at the beautiful Theatre Chipping Norton. It doesn’t matter if you’re age 4 or 94

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there’s something for everyone. Tickets make a lovely Christmas gift or perhaps book in for January as a tonic for those January blues. Either way tickets are selling FAST so we recommend booking soon to avoid missing out on the fun! www.chippingnortontheatre.com. Box Office: 01608 642350. n

Pershore Market Opening Times 2021

Wednesday December 15th 9-4.30pm Thursday December 16th 9-4.30pm Friday December 17th 9-4.30pm Saturday December 18th 9-4.30pm Sunday December 19th CLOSED Monday December 20th CLOSED Tuesday December 21st 9-4.30pm Wednesday December 22nd 9-4.30pm Thursday December 23rd 9- 4.30pm Christmas Eve 9-1pm Christmas Day CLOSED Boxing Day CLOSED Monday December 27th CLOSED Tuesday December 28th CLOSED Wednesday December 29th 9-4.30pm Thursday December 30th 9- 4.30pm New Year’s Eve 9-1pm New Year’s Day CLOSED Re open Wednesday January 5th 2022 normal times Tombola on Friday December 17th. Please note that if the restrictions change, the market may have to change their timetable to suit.

Happy Christmas!

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HOME & GARDEN

A wonderful Christmas Time Christmas 2021 is all about feeling nostalgic; bringing back the traditions of yester year and remembering a time of good old fashioned traditions. We go back to basics to find out the true meanings of some of our favourite decorations.

The ritual of putting up your tree and hanging decorations throughout the home is forever instilled in our festive childhood memories. From handmade projects to heirlooms passed through the generations, a home filled with joy around Christmas starts with magic, excitement and sparkle. I always watched my mother lay out the decorations in the run up to Christmas Day, meticulously placing every bauble on the tree and the wreath on the front door. She knew what she was doing, and she was very good at it. It was as if she was one of Father Christmas’s best elves sent straight from the North Pole. Even now, as I try to recreate the beauty of Christmas through my own style....it is not the same! The way we decorate our homes over the festive period has been passed down through hundreds, if not thousands of years. And not all Christmas traditions were passed down through religious reasons; some are to celebrate the winter solstice or anicent folklore. Here we delve deeper into the background of some of our favourite traditions to find the true meaning of Christmas. The Christmas Stocking There are many tales of how the Christmas stocking came to pass. One legend goes that Saint Nicholas tried to help a poor family in secret. Knowing full well that the family would not willingly accept charitable donations, he threw a bag of gold coins through an open window under the cover of darkness and it landed in a stocking that was drying next to the fireplace. This led to the custom of putting out a sock, stocking or in some countries, a shoe at Christmas time for St Nicholas to drop a gift in on Christmas Eve. Pulling a cracker The first version of the cracter, invented by Tom Smith, had love messages wrapped around sweets which were more like fortune cookies. As the cracker progressed into a much larger mechanism, the sweet was dropped and a ‘bang’ incorporated with little trinkets and gifts added. Now a true staple of Christmas Dinner. n 8 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 59 | December 2021/January 2022

Christmas Tree All around Western Europe, from the Scandinavian countries to the CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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HOME & GARDEN Celts decorated their version of a Christmas Tree during the winter solstice and Yuletide festivals. It wasn’t until the Victorian age that the idea of decorating a small tree in your home for the festive period became mainstream. Many of the ornaments and baubles originated in Germany. Made from glass, paper and cardboard, these ornaments adorned small evergreens and firs from the first day of advent. A star or angel on top of the tree has more of a Christian symbol; appearing high in the sky to guide prople to the birth of Jesus. See our guide to the perfect time to put up a Christmas tree on page 14 Christmas Lights Candles were first used to decorate the home at Christmas. People used wax and pins to stick the candles to the trees. After the invention of light bulbs and electricity, the first Christmas tree to be lit by electric lights was seen in New York in 1882. They symbolise life, happiness and prosperity for the coming year. Tinsel Tinsel as we know it in the UK is a fairly modern idea, originating in the post Victorian era. But decorating your Christmas tree with silver and sparkly material dates back to Germany in the 17th Century when it was adorned on the tree as a symbol of wealth; adapting to more inexpensive material as the decades and centuries passed. Tinsel however can be made from material that can be harmful to yourself, your pets and the environment. Alternatives include, making a paper chain to wrap around your tree; cutting stars out of unwanted fabric and even making a garland out of dried fruit and spices.This will not only be good for the environment but also make the room smell delicious! Wreath The shape and substance of the wreath represent eternal life and

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along with the addition of a candle during Advent, it symbolises the light that Jesus brought into the world. The wreath invites the spirit of Christmas into the home and the hope of good luck for the coming year. A popular plant over the Christmas perod and also used to decorate wreaths are the holly and ivy, used originally to celebrate the winter solstice and thought to fend off evil spirits into the home. However you wish to decorate your home this festive season, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2022. n By Daisy Bennett

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Long awaited environment act passed Warwickshire Wildlife Trust welcomed the passing of the Environment Act on November 10, which will help the UK Government make significant progress in tackling the climate and nature crises. Along with other NGOs, MPs and Peers, we have campaigned for this bill for more than three years and look forward to seeing it receive Royal Assent in its current, much-strengthened form. The inclusion of a legally-binding 2030 species abundance target has the potential to boost efforts to reverse the decline in wildlife and will put the UK on the path towards protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. In Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull we need help to achieve this target. Our Nature Recovery Fund appeal will allow us to double the land we manage for nature by 2030, providing new homes for wildlife and connecting people with nature. If you’d like to help them achieve these goals for wildlife on your doorstep, please consider joining the Trust as a member for as little as £3.50 per month. Your support is vital for the work that they do. n Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

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HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

When to put up a Christmas tree

Many are torn between putting a Christmas tree up in November or holding out until Advent. The best route is to consider both tradition and the lifespan of your fir. Knowing exactly when to put up a Christmas tree can be unclear for many of us. Between tradition and what social media tells us, you may be torn between holding out until Advent – beginning the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, November 28th 2021 this year or waiting until Christmas Eve as you finish work! Family traditions and preferences are one thing but then there’s the question of how to ensure your gorgeously decorated Christmas tree doesn’t die before December 25. Sarah Fishburne, Director of Trend and Design at The Home Depot says ‘How – and when – you deck the halls is different for everyone! When should a Christmas tree be put up? Traditionally, a Christmas tree would be put up to mark the beginning of Advent which is a time of celebration, anticipating Christ’s birth. Many of us now put our trees up in November but there’s no hard and fast rule, it’s more down to personal preference in terms of your holiday traditions and what level of upkeep you feel comfortable with. Theoretically, you can keep a tree alive for a month, but in practice, most cut down trees will only stay fresh for two to three weeks; after that, the tree will just shut down and begin shedding its needles. ‘Because fresh-cut trees have a limited life, purchase one that was recently harvested. Most types of Christmas trees that are freshly cut usually last between four and six weeks, so be careful not to purchase too early. You may have a little more time if you’ll be keeping yours in a room that’s cool and gets plenty of natural light; heating really dries out Christmas trees, so bear that in mind. There are also various hacks you can try to keep your Christmas tree alive for longer, but if you tend to be forgetful, the safest thing to do is to get your tree during the second week of December – that way, you’re guaranteed a fresh-looking tree on Christmas Day. Firs things First 1. Take off a slither off the stump. 2. Sit in a bucket for a night and a day before bringing it in. The later you bring it in, the fresher it will be. 3. Get a stand that can hold water. 4. Feed it with lemonade, sugar water or florists cut flower food. 5. Be careful not to overfill the stand, and put your Christmas tree somewhere away from the radiator or open fires. So choose your Christmas tree wisely and dress it like a pro to enjoy it in all its glory throughout the holiday. And if you go down the artificial tree route ensure you pick the best fit for your home and get clued up on light safety. Most modern artificial trees operate with LED lights for added energy-saving and safety benefits. The local Fire Brigades also recommend using LED string lights on live trees. They don’t get hot to the touch, so they’re a lot safer. No matter if you are using a live tree or an artificial one, we recommend to always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.’ n

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Prestigious national double win for King's High King’s High School, Warwick is celebrating a prestigious national double win, after being announced Senior School of the Year and winner of the Excellence and Innovation in Performing Arts Award, at the Independent Schools Association’s UK awards. King’s High was also Highly Commended for Sport and Fine Arts. Head Master, Dr Stephen Burley, said: ‘These are significant national accolades that our whole school community can take great pride in. Over the last year - along with so many others - everyone has worked incredibly hard, pulled through challenging times, and shown such a positive and inspiring spirit. ‘I am incredibly proud of the team effort that has gone into these achievements, and the superb work of our students, staff and

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governors which has been recognised. It is exciting for us all to see the success of the school celebrated nationally, and how the tremendous work of the whole community is strengthening King’s High’s position at the very forefront of girls’ education. ‘The award for Excellence and Innovation in Performing Arts is a particularly apt accolade for our superb Drama and Music Departments. Recently, we have been treated to an outstanding Senior Production of Everyman at the Bridge House Theatre, which showcased the strength and depth of theatrical talent across King’s High and Warwick School. The quality of music in school continues to flourish. Our weekly Inspire Music series has been a huge hit with pupils and their families and combines our own musical talent in school through encounters with world-class musicians.’ n

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EDUCATION

Be the best version of yourself at The Kingsley School Since 1884 The Kingsley School has had an excellent reputation for high academic standards and first-class pastoral care, based in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa. A through school for girls aged 3-18, with a co-educational Prep School also taking boys aged 3-11, Kingsley is small enough for everyone to be known and large enough to offer a range of opportunities to develop gifts and talents. At Kingsley, you are a name and not a number. Kingsley combines high academic performance with a determination to offer a broad, deep and enriching curriculum, demonstrating how hard work and effort alongside kindness, team work and a strong moral code are vital for a fulfilling life and personal success. A Kingsley education is a holistic education – our aim is to develop strong independent young adults who are well-mannered, well qualified and resilient. Leavers take up places at first choice universities and prestigious apprenticeship schemes, pursuing a range of ambitious careers. The school maintains a sense of tradition, whilst keeping up with the modern and preparing children for the future. The beautiful Edwardian buildings are warm and welcoming places of learning, whose sense of community and family permeates. When people walk through Kingsley’s doors, they often say they feel like they have come home. There’s no place like Kingsley. Website: www.thekingsleyschool.co.uk Tel: 01926 425127” n

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EDUCATION

GCSEs and A levels 2022: How exams will run next summer

The government has set out how exams will run this year - and what will happen if they are scrapped again. The Times Educational Supplement (TES), this week published a guide for teachers. Could exams be cancelled next year? The government has made it clear again today that it is “firmly committed to exams going ahead in summer 2022.” The TES however noted that not so very long ago it had also been committed to the idea of exams going ahead in the summer 2021 For 2022 exams going ahead remains plan A but this time the government has a plan B. How will exams take Covid disruption into account? After a consultation run by Ofqual the government has confirmed that the following mitigations will be in place for next summer’s exams • Students taking GCSEs in English literature, history, ancient history and geography will not need to cover the usual range of content in the exams – the exam boards have published information on their websites on how this will work for each of their specifications in these subjects. • Students taking GCSEs in all other subjects will be given advance information about the focus of the content of the exams to support their revisio. • Students taking AS and A levels will be given advance information about the focus of the content of the exams to support their revision • Students taking GCSE mathematics will be given in their exams copies of formulae they would in other years have to memorise. • Students taking GCSE physics and combined science will be given in their exams a sheet covering all the equations they might need to apply in the exams. Exam boards are also publishing formulae and equation sheets to help students in GCSE maths and some GCSE science exams, giving students time to familiarise themselves with them before exams. When will students get advance material of exam topics? The Department for Education has said that advance information for GCSE and AS and A levels will be published no later than 7 February 2022. It will give at least a week’s notice if it decides exam boards should publish the information before that date. n 22 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 59 | December 2021/January 2022

What happens if exams are cancelled again? If the government does decide to cancel exams, then it plans to use teacher assessed grades (TAGs) again as in 2021. The government announced that if exams are cancelled the Secretary of State would set out to Ofqual the government’s policy on how TAGs should be used to determine grades in the summer of 2022. How will schools be expected to gather evidence for teacher assessed grades? Schools have been told to assess pupils in exam-like conditions to provide evidence for TAGs just in case Covid leads to exams being cancelled in 2022. This says that schools should plan assessment opportunities to a timetable that secures evidence which could be used to inform TAGs. In order to build up evidence for these grades, schools have been told students sitting GCSEs, AS and A levels and the Advanced Extension Award should be assessed under examlike conditions wherever possible. Although it says this could be done in the classroom rather than an exam hall. The advice given is that students should not know the questions in the assessment beforehand. They should work independently and without assistance (other than as required for a reasonable adjustment) Plus they should not have access to books or revision notes and the assessment should be timed and supervised. This in short means that TAGs should be evidenced in old exam conditions. The government have also said schools do not need to start working out TAGs unless it is announced that exams are cancelled. What else do school leaders need now? Heads have welcomed schools having a contingency plan in place. Julie McCulloch the director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders told the TES that not to have one “would risk a repeat of the chaos of the past two years.” But she has called on schools to now be given more support to minimise the workload around carrying out exam style assessments to ensure schools have evidence for TAGs. She said: “This plan will mean considerable workload for schools and colleges. To mitigate the additional workload, the exam boards should produce banks of assessment questions that can be used flexibly by schools and colleges to construct exam-style papers.” n

Enrol on a part-time course for adult learners Celebrate the New Year by learning a new skill at your local WCG (Warwickshire College Group) College, based in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick Trident, Rugby and Moreton Morrell. From part-time leisure courses to professional qualifications, there is something for all adult learners to enjoy this New Year. WCG knows that their range of lifelong learning programmes are essential to strengthening communities and making sure that local people can succeed in their personal goals and career aspirations. There are a wide variety of adult part-time subjects on offer across all our Warwickshire colleges, including: ·

Accounting (AAT)

Animal Welfare

Art, Design & Crafts

Assessment

Blacksmithing

Construction

Counselling

Electrical

Engineering

ESOL

Floristry

Health & Wellbeing

Hospitality & Catering

· · · · · · · · · ·

Human Resources (CIPD) IT & Computing Languages Machining & Manufacturing Marketing (CIM) Motor Vehicle Multimedia & Video Personal Trainer Welding & Fabrication Plus, much more!

All course delivery will adhere to COVID-19 guidance and could include both face-to-face and remote delivery elements. Don’t forget, WCG also has over 50 short courses available to study now from the comfort of your own home. Subjects include: Writing; Nutrition; Animal Health Care and much more! Visit wcg.ac.uk/ distancelearning For more information and to enrol on an adult part-time course at Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick Trident, Rugby and Moreton Morrell colleges, visit wcg.ac.uk/adultlearning or call 0300 456 0049. n

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SENIOR LIVING

Get a good nights sleep When’s your bedtime? All over the shop? Join the club… We all know that for people of any age having a healthy, consistent sleep routine is important. What time should people sleep for their heart health? It turns out, it shouldn’t be too late but not too early, either. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the “most significant cause of mortality” across the world, the researchers of a new study published Tuesday in European Heart Journal - Digital Health said. There has also been evidence linking poor sleep and cardiovascular risk. For their study, the researchers collected data on 88,026 people in the U.K. Biobank who were recruited from 2006 to 2010. Instead of getting data via self-report, the researchers collected data on the participants’ sleep onset and waking times by making them wear a wrist-worn accelerometer for seven days. During a mean followup of 5.7 years, researchers identified 3,172 cases of cardiovascular diseases among the participants. Interestingly, the risk was lowest for those whose sleep onset was between 10:00 and 10:59pm. Compared to them, those who went to bed between 11 to 11:59 had a 12% higher risk for cardiovascular disease while those who hit the sack at midnight or even later had a 25% higher risk. But those who fell asleep earlier than 10pm. also had a 24% greater risk. When the researchers analyzed the data by sex, they found that the risk was particularly strong among women. In fact, only the sleep onset risk for those who fell asleep earlier than 10pm. was considered “significant” in men. Take the pressure off Perfect sleep? It doesn’t exist. So while you may really want to nail your sleep routine, taking the pressure off is important – especially if you’re feeling trapped in a cycle of insomnia. “If you take a ‘normal’ person’s sleep, it’s not perfect all the time,” says Dr Guy Meadows of Sleep School the UK’s leading expert (sleepschool.org). It’s very easy [for an insomniac] to think the grass is always greener and it must be perfect all the time, but the reality is that normal sleep is disturbed for a multitude of reasons, whether that’s a stressful day, aches and pains, whatever it is.” Being told things like ‘just relax’ and ‘you’re over-thinking this’ can be immensely frustrating. But the harder we try to sleep and the more we worry about it, the further away that peaceful slumber can seem (thanks brains!). Meadows reassures though, this is not about blaming yourself. Human brains are designed to identify sources of worry and getting into an anxious cycle with it is very normal. The trouble is, this can put is in a state of hyper-arousal – aka our own personal sleep-blocker. We can also begin to obsess about it. Time to ACT The Sleep School pros are pioneers of a system called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – a more evolved version of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), in a sense. “It’s about taking the struggle out of sleep. Putting your effort into the things you care about in your life, rather than putting it into the struggle [to sleep],” explains Meadows (they launched a Sleep School app earlier in 2021 where users can tap into this). This isn’t about avoidance or not n 24 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 59 | December 2021/January 2022

letting yourself admit that struggling to sleep is impacting you (it’s hard!). It’s about slowly, slowly shifting the focus away from fixating on the sleep struggle, giving that space to grow, and taking the power back. Another key element in ACT is to focus on your values and stay connected with those – even when you’re knackered. And self-kindness/compassion are very powerful tools when it comes to breaking any sort of anxiety cycle; Meadows notes there’s even research on how self-compassion can aid sleep. Little acts of selfkindness during the day – like a 10-minute walk, making a nourishing lunch and watching a movie – “might seem relatively mundane and small, [but] they actually help to promote a better mental environment from which sleep can emerge”, says Meadows. Put that phone away (or at least try) Lost count of the times you’ve vowed to stop looking at your phone before bed, only to find yourself engrossed in a lamb-herding video two hours later? Yes, we know these dopamine-triggering devices trap us into sleep-sapping spirals and mess with our melatonin (sleep hormone). But, well, we’re still doing it. n

ANSWERS You’ve found the answers! The puzzles are on page 38

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SENIOR LIVING

Quality care you can trust When a family is thinking about care for a loved one, they want the best - they want to know that the care home they choose will put their loved one’s safety, happiness, and wellbeing first.

Ambleside care home, Dodwell CV37 9TG

Care UK’s Ambleside care home in Dodwell and Priors House care home in Leamington Spa provide residential, dementia and nursing care, giving families peace of mind that their loved ones can stay living at the home should their needs change.

care.uk.com/priors-house

Living in a Care UK home is all about quality of life. Every colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences. The lifestyle team organises a huge variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day. Often families are so caught up in the day-to-day care of their loved ones that the personal relationship they share can take a step back. Once their relative has settled into our homes, they are able to focus on spending quality time with them again just enjoying each other’s company. With the extra support that our care home offers, new residents are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily activities. Whether your loved one enjoys a quiet cup of tea in bed before starting the day, loves going for strolls in nature, or enjoys a chat over a beer, the teams will spend time to enable them to continue living life the way they want to. Ambleside and Priors House are part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one of the UK’s most successful care home operators* with over 35 years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people. To find out more about care for yourself or a loved one at Care UK, contact our friendly team today on 0333 455 3593. n 26 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 59 | December 2021/January 2022

care.uk.com/ambleside Email: Julia.joy@careuk.com Priors House care home, Blackdown CV32 6RW maria.cridge@careuk.com *As rated by the Care Quality Commission in England and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland. n

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WHAT’S ON

Munching great fun An enduring children’s classic comes to Warwickshire this Christmas. Fifty years after it was first published, writer/ illustrator Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar has become one of the best loved children’s books in the world, available in 62 languages and selling over 54 million copies. Now, the book wiggles its way onto stage as Warwick Arts Centre presents The Very Hungry Christmas Caterpillar Show. Alongside The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the show also features three other Carle classics - the festive Dream Snow, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear - all brought to life by four master puppeteers commanding dozens of enchanting puppets. “Eric Carle’s work has delighted young readers for generations,” says Jonathan Rockerfeller, the creator and director of the stage production. “For so many children it is almost a right of passage to be introduced to reading from this book – and it is the perfect introduction to the theatre, with 75 incredible puppets coming to life in front of their eyes!”

First performed in Australia in 2015, the stage production moved to New York the following year where it broke box office records, and attracted celeb’s with families such as Chelsea Clinton, actress Emily Blunt, and How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris, before opening in the West End at the end of 2016 to equal acclaim. “I asked a four-year-old coming out of the show why people should come and see it,” Jonathan recalls of an early performance. “He told me ‘It was the best-est most amazing, incredible show he had ever seen in his entire life, and I can not wait to see it again’. Coming from a four-year-old that’s the highest possible praise, and why we do this show.” The Very Hungry Christmas Caterpillar is at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, from Monday 13 to Friday 24 December 2021, with morning and early afternoon performances. For tickets and more information, see: warwickartscentre.co.uk. n

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Gallery returns Following a major refurbishment, Warwick Arts Centre’s prestigious Mead Gallery reopens in January with a major exhibition from leading contemporary artist Rana Begum. Entitled Dappled Light, the exhibition features a series of new large-scale works that respond specifically to the gallery’s architecture, including vibrant paintings, sculpture, and installations. Through a variety of materials and painterly techniques, Rana explores the shifting perceptual effects of light as it interacts with her work and the gallery space. Elected as a Royal Academician last year, Rana blurs the boundaries between sculpture, painting and architecture, drawing from the urban landscape as well as Islamic art’s geometric patterns. The free exhibition runs from 13 January to 13 March 2022 at Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry. Details: warwickartscentre.co.uk n

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What's On

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

DECEMBER Until January 9th Coventry Glides Coventry Cathedral Ruins Get your skates on and glide into the festive season as Coventry Glides returns. Book a daytime skate in the glorious winter sun, or come in the evening and take in the beautifully lit historical surroundings. This magical ice-skating experience in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral is a festive day out for all the family, with food and drink options available too. Tickets start at just £5 (limited availability) so make sure you book early for best prices. Skate hire is included in the ticket price. Get a warm feeling inside with a delicious hot drink and cake before or after your skating session, add on to your booking for just £4.50. We recommend you wear gloves on the ice and thick socks. Skaters must be aged 5 or above, and skaters under 12 years old must be accompanied by a skating adult. Coventry Glides is brought to you by Coventry City of Culture Trust and Coventry City Council with support from Coventry Business Improvement District. www.coventry2021.co.uk/what-s-on/coventry-glides/

Abstract Art Prints for sale from internationally renowned 20th Century British Artist. Quality prints at affordable prices from a small local business. Scan QR code or go to royturnerdurrant.com for more details.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

If you love both the splendid choral grandeur of Bach and Handel, but also the polychoral works of the Venetian baroque and the ornate complexity of Tallis’s Spem in Alium, this programme of Francesco Scarlatti’s rarely performed works must not be missed. To complement these incredible works, international violinist Rachel Podger returns to treat both our audiences and performers to her totally unique and inspirational approach to Bach’s virtuosic Violin Concerto in A Minor and Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G Major from ‘La Stravaganza’.

Dates: 29th January 2022 7:30 pm, Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk 5th February 2022 7:30 pm, Malvern Theatres, Worcestershire 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

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Until January 8th

www.warwick-castle.com/

Beauty and the Beast Belgrade Theatre This year we present the enchanting tale of Beauty and the Beast. One of the most popular panto titles ever, this long-awaited production will be extra special and guaranteed to bring a touch of magic, mayhem and monstrous fun to your festive celebrations. Things are looking bleak for beautiful Belle! Kidnapped by a frightening beast, she is locked away in a terrifying castle with little hope of escape. But unbeknownst to her, the beast is a handsome prince under the curse of an evil enchantress. Only by changing his selfish ways and finding true love can he ever hope to break the spell. Will the Beast change his ways in time? And will Belle ever get back home? There’s only one way to find out! Written by and starring Coventry’s favourite dame Iain Lauchlan, Beauty and the Beast will feature the breath taking sets, crazy costumes and seasonal silliness that make a trip to the Belgrade such an unmissable treat for thousands of families every year. Iain will once again be joined on stage by Craig Hollingsworth as his calamitous sidekick and together the dynamic duo will bring comedy and chaos to your Christmas celebrations! After a year’s wait, tickets for Beauty and the Beast are selling fast! Make sure you book early to guarantee the best seats at the best price on your preferred date – it would be Beastly to miss out! We look forward to welcoming you and your family back to the Belgrade, where Coventry celebrates Christmas. Tickets from £13.50 www.belgrade.co.uk/events/beauty-the-beast/

December 7th

Until January 3rd Christmas at the Castle Warwicks Castles yuletide makeover includes elves, a 20 foot Christmas tree, light trail and the ever popular open air skating rink.

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Quilled Christmas Decorations Workshop Come and explore the wonderful world of paper quilling, and learn to make some wonderful Christmas decorations. At this workshop you will learn various techniques to shape the paper and build your design, opening a world of possibilities. These will make gorgeous hanging decorations, either for yourself, or as the perfect festive gifts for friends and family. Tickets are £25, price includes all materials http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/museum Christmas Dinner Masterclass Do you want to know how to make your Christmas dinner truly special and bursting with flavour? This course is going to put your mind at ease and give you all the inspiration you need to create the perfect roast dinner from scratch! Learn to make: Christmas Dinner Wellington; Seasonal Sides; Sloe Gin Cranberry Sauce; Workstations are £90 single station or £130 for a shared workstation. Advance booking is essential. Book online at www.beckettsfarm.co.uk/product/christmas-dinner-masterclass/

December 18th O Radiant Dawn – Music and Readings for Christmas Saint James’s Singers present their hugely popular Christmas Concert with conductor Julian Harris and reader David Troughton, in St Mary’s Warwick on Saturday 18th December at 7:30 pm. Advance booking is strongly recommended. Tickets are £17.50, £12.50 and £10 from the Saint James’s Singers’ box office on 07359 114362.

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Discover a Lighter Life - A lighter body and a lighter outlook for 2022 As a trained weight-management mentor with LighterLife, I’m hearing from lots of clients who are concerned about how their weight has the potential to affect their health and their lives. They are delighted with the fast weight loss aspect of the LighterLife program but more importantly really value the support I can give them, to achieve long term weight management; crucial if the pounds are not to creep back on. I’m delighted to be supporting our community achieve their weight loss goals. It’s so great to see them go onto live a fulfilling, healthy and happy life and achieve so many things that were off limits due to their weight. The secret to successful weight loss lies in what’s going on in our minds, not simply on what’s going into our mouths. Combining expert, nutritious, stress -free eating plans with my free-to-attend Xpress meetings achieves fast, effective weight loss and helps clients understand what triggers overeating in the first place. The mentoring is less about recipes, exercise and calorie counting and more about getting the life tools to really manage your weight. The LighterLife ground-breaking approach of food and behavior change, has helped over 500,000 people to change their mindset, achieve their weight goals and enhance their lives. As a weight management mentor, it’s my passion to be the support that we all need sometimes, to get to where we want to go, I know what that’s like, using the plan has made a huge difference to my life and weight challenges. For more details contact: Colette at colette.bardell@lighterlifementor. com or call 07726 307097. n

Top tips for a healthy 2022 1. Connect with other people Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can Help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth; give you an opportunity to share positive experiences; provide emotional support and allow you to support others. 2. Be physically active Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by raising your self-esteem. 3. Learn new skills Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by boosting self-confidence and raising selfesteem; helping you to build a sense of purpose; helping you to connect with others. 4. Give to others Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by creating positive feelings and a sense of reward; giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth helping you connect with other people. 5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness) Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”.n

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Puzzled?

Merry Christmas from Mavericks Hair & Beauty

SUDOKU - HARD

If you get stuck, the answers can be found on page 24 3

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WORD SEARCH

Find and cross out all the listed words. The words may go horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and backwards. JOLLY JOY MERRY MISTLETOE NOEL NORTH POLE

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REINDEER

VEGAN SULPHATE FREE PARABEN FREE QUINOA PROTEIN SUNFLOWER OIL GLUTEN FREE ORGANIC

SLEIGH STOCKING TREE WREATH ELVES FROSTY GIFT GIVING GREETINGS HOLIDAY

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at Mavericks Hair & Beauty

BELLS CANDLES CANDY CANE CARDS CELEBRATE CHIMNEY CHRISTMAS RUDOLPH SANTA SEASON

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MAVERICKS HAIR AND BEAUTY WWW.MAVERICKSHAIR.CO.UK PRIORY ROAD, ALCESTER, B49 5DY 01789 766222 766333

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Warwickshire Now December 2021/January 2022

Articles inside

Decorate your home this Christmas

The best time to put up your tree

Get a good night’s sleep

Exams in 2022

All the latest news from around Warwickshire