Warwickshire Now February 2022

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Beauchamp Park, Warwick

DECLUTTER YOUR HOME WEDDINGS WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY 2022 | ISSUE 60

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

TURN TO PAGE 16 & 17 FOR MORE DETAILS

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HOMES • GARDENS • EDUCATION • HEALTH & BEAUTY • PUZZLES • SENIOR LIVING

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Warwickshire

Now

Contents

04

06

FEBRUARY 2022

HERE & NOW 04 All the latest news from around Warwickshire.

HOME & GARDEN

24

06 Declutter your home

WEDDINGS

26

24 Post Pandemic wedding themes

WHAT’S ON 26 All the latest events

WA R W I C K S H I R E

NOW 01905 723011

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EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Care UK

ADVERTISING

L&Q Homes

Kate Gilmartin 01905 727904 kate@pw-media.co.uk

Daisy Bennett Kingham Auctioneers National Trust Royal Horticultural Society

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.

Lis Gardner 01905 727901 lis@pw-media.co.uk

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

Festival of Archery at Warwick Castle this half term This February Half Term encounter the centuries-old art of archery like never before at Warwick Castle!

Their expert archers will unleash a host of exhilarating performances for friends and family before your very eyes. Feel the heat as you witness a variety of spectacular shows throughout your visit.

Uncover the secrets of this historical sport, and behold the arrows soaring before you as our team of resident archers demonstrate their expert skill to provide you with the ultimate family fun entertainment.

They’re full to the turrets with things to do, so it’s no surprise that you’ll want to stay for more than just a day!

Are you inspired by the professionals? You can also take a shot at ‘Have-a-go-Archery’. For more details, go to www.warwick-castle.com

Could you spare some time to support local families who are struggling?

Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart-breaking and overwhelming. All parents struggle at one time or another. That is why Home Start South Warwickshire is ready to support families through their toughest times.

Mum C is a single mum to two boys. After a difficult pregnancy Mum C gave birth prematurely to her second son who weighed just 3lb 2oz. Her Home Start volunteer was with her at the birth so she wasn’t alone during her c-section. Home Start also provided the family with a baby care package which included premature baby clothes so Mum could dress her baby whilst in hospital and not worry about how to afford or buy them. Home Start also arranged volunteer lifts for Mum C so she could visit her baby in hospital, over 30 miles away.

“I am forever grateful to Home Start who have made me feel less alone and not left me struggling.” Mum C This is just one example of the difficulties facing families that we support. Volunteers attend our Preparation Course to give them the skills and knowledge they need to support families facing a range of issues. If you could help a family who are struggling, there are a number of volunteer roles available.

To find out more go to www.homestartsouthwarwickshire.org.uk n n 4 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 60 | February 2022

New Stratford business wants parents to rent their baby clothes to save the planet You might have rented a ballgown or tux before, but what about your kids’ clothes? The principle is the same – if you only need something for a short amount of time, it makes sense to rent it. Babies grow so fast, they may only get a few wears out of something before they’ve outgrown it.

A new online business based in Stratford-Upon-Avon called Borro offers a baby clothes rental service with the aim of saving parents money and saving the planet too. By keeping clothes in circulation rather than on the way to landfill, Borro aims to help reduce the 10% of annual global carbon emissions that the fashion industry is responsible for*. It’s also a hassle free service for parents as there’s no minimum spend, no charge for staining any items, and free returns too. Sometimes choosing the sustainable option can be more expensive, but with renting you can save money on high quality organic brands like Mori, Kite, Newbie, and Little Green Radicals. Try renting now at www.borro-it.com n *Report published by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

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HOME & GARDEN

Declutter your home Spring isn’t far away but it’s never too early to have a deep clean. The Christmas toys that seemed like a good idea at the time, are now strewn in the corner of the room; the 1000 piece jigsaw that was once the perfect picture is now missing seven vital components. It’s time to have a sort out. Separate what you love from what you loathe and organise ready for the warmer months. We give our top tips to declutter and freshen your home.

Having a tidy home helps manage stress and improve your well-being. Clearing out the home from clutter can help reduce anxiety and give you more time to focus on the things you love about life. Follow these easy steps to help you get a more tranquil living space.

Write it down Plan what you would like to do in your home. Is there a particular area

that needs attention first? Giving yourself a ‘to do list’ can help you methodically work through areas that are problematic. A children’s play area may need more storage space, or a cleaning up rota for the little ones to follow. Plan ahead and decide how you want to declutter the space. Get the tools you need in order to do so and set a time for yourself on each area. Take time to plan your home and how you want it to look.

One at a time Always start with one room at a time. Pick the one that is going to take up the most of your energy and work your way methodically, drawer by drawer, box by box. There is nothing more frustrating than starting with one room, getting distracted and starting to clear up another mess in another area of the house, only to find you’ve come full circle and nothing has been done. Look for the most obvious pieces of rubbish, the packaging or bits of paper that have been forgotten about and that serve no purpose. Bin them, then you can start to focus on what you do and do not want.

Keep Decluttering your home doesn’t mean that you have to empty your house completely. Having the bare minimum is not functional for everyday use. However, what you do need to think about is what you need for daily life and part with things you don’t need in the near future. The aim is to get rid of the items you don’t use most of the time and keep the ones you do. Think about when the last time you used the item and the last time you thought ‘Do I really need this?’

For example, for someone who doesn’t use make-up on a daily basis, I have 5 mascaras. Not necessary and takes up valuable space in the cosmetic drawer. What you’ll find is you’ll have more space in your home to dedicate to what you love.

Store away Anything that you find that you can’t bear to throw away, but don’t have space to put it out on display, can always go into storage.

Whether it’s up in the attic or garage with your Christmas decorations or in a bigger storage unit away from your home, there is no need to drastically erase every memory or keepsake from your life.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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HOME & GARDEN

Donate There are many ways to dispose of your old items.Once you have separated your old clothes and toys, one of the ways to find them a new home is by donating them to family/friends and charities.

There are many charity shops in and around Warwickshire that will gladly take your clean and dry items. Warwick City Council are unable to collect textiles, shoes and clothes for recycling. Their website currently says; ‘‘Recycling companies have introduced tough restrictions on quality due to market conditions and are not willing to accept textiles, shoes and clothes from household collection schemes. This is due to concerns that material will become damp/wet whilst left outside for collection making it unsuitable for re-use.’’

However, they can still be recycled at your nearest recycling centre where 10% of proceeds go to Guide Dogs or they can be donated to a charity shop for re-use. For more information go to www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20792/recycling_-_what_we_collect n

By Daisy Bennett

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HOME & GARDEN

Chris Lacey National Trust

Winter in the gardens Packwood’s contemporary mingled style garden, with herbaceous borders, wildflower meadows and beautiful orchard is the perfect place to dream of carefree days.

The gardens are noted for their exciting and colourful borders and unusual plants.

The winter months are a very busy time for the garden team who are working hard to clear the beds for the spring displays before hard frosts and snow. At this time of year they also have to cut down all the herbaceous plants and clear all the tender perennials from the beds which are kept safe over the winter months in the glasshouses.

Compost is then applied to the borders and spring plants consisting of wallflowers, tulips and forget-me-nots are planted ready for next year. This is a lot of hard messy work for the garden team but neverthe-less essential.

The trees you will see at the Memorial Orchard have been planted in memory of loved ones lost. In late summer and autumn these trees provide a rich harvest of fruit, ripe and ready to become part of our home-made meals in the Kitchen Garden Café. During the winter

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months the trees are in hibernation but visitors are still welcome The yew garden will be opened on 18 February 2022, accessible by guided tour only. These are not pre-bookable in advance and are dependent on volunteer availability.

There are 100 yew trees in the garden, the oldest of which have been growing for over 250 years. The box hedges are similarly ancient and weather and periods of neglect have caused them to slump and bulge into their wonderful mounded ‘cloud’ shapes. Throughout their history the yews have suffered periods of decline. According to legend the yew trees at Packwood represent the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and are over 350 years old.

The Kitchen Garden owes much to the vision of the gardening team and a band of dedicated volunteers. Vegetables are planted in rows in beds around a central circular pool. Traditional rotation of crops is observed for best results and the produce is often to be found on the menu of Packwood’s café.

For more details about Packwood go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk n

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Your climate needs YOU! RHS Planet-Friendly Gardening Campaign aims to mobilise 30 million gardeners in ambitious Sustainability Strategy. In World War II The Ministry of Agriculture mobilised gardeners to “Dig for Victory” and feed the country. In today’s battle against the climate and biodiversity crisis, the power of 30 million gardeners can be similarly harnessed. However, a national survey* reveals 8 out of 10 people think the government undervalues the positive impact that gardening can make on the environment.

As Britain’s leading gardening charity, the RHS recognises its unique position to empower the general public to make a meaningful contribution towards climate change targets. Today (13 September) sees the launch in Parliament of the national Planet-Friendly Gardening Campaign, part of the RHS’s ambitious new Sustainability Strategy. When it comes down to what people choose to plant, buy, and consume, it’s about small actions leading to big results.

RHS scientific research shows that if every one of the UK’s 30 million gardeners planted a medium sized tree and nurtured it to maturity, they would store the carbon equivalent of driving 11 million times around the planet. And if each person made an average of 190 kg of compost a year, this would save the carbon equivalent to heating 506,000 average sized houses for a year.

The RHS believes that knowledge is key to bringing about change.

That’s the thinking behind a new “Planet-Friendly sustainability calculator” which will empower gardeners to make the best sustainable plant and gardening choices. This online tool - the first of its type - is being developed through 5 years of RHS funded groundbreaking research into the carbon and water dynamics of the domestic garden.So far the RHS Mains2Rains campaign has received pledges to potentially save 6.6 million litres of mains water (equivalent to 82,385 baths) but there’s still significant scope for progress.

Only 19% of UK gardeners say they have specifically adopted sustainable gardening principles such as conserving water, making their own compost and reducing fossil fuel usage. The transition to peat-free gardening shows people are willing to change their habits. Almost a quarter of gardeners (36%) who currently don’t make compost say they would consider doing so if the council provided free or subsidized compost bins and a manual. As part of its PlanetFriendly Gardening Campaign, the RHS has come up with a list of achievable actions for gardeners: 1. Plant a tree in your community, school, workplace or garden to draw carbon out of the air: Grown to maturity, a small tree stores up to CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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HOME & GARDEN 376kg of carbon; a medium tree 511kg; and a large tree 3,350kg.

2. Water the way Nature intended: Pledge to switch from mains to rains on RHS mains2rains https://mains2rains.uk 3. Go peat free: Protecting precious peatland habitats which are the largest land carbon store and havens for biodiversity will also help reduce flood risks.

4. Make your own compost: Every 1kg of home-made compost saves 0.1kg fossil carbon, which could save more than 19kg carbon, per gardener, every year.

5. Pull up a paving slab (1m²) and grow perennial plants to maturity: Herbaceous perennials (lawn grasses and non-woody plants) draw 3.21kg carbon/m² out of the air; shrubs 19.54kg and trees 40.38kg.

6. Plants for pollinators: Help slow and reverse declines in bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies and other pollinators by growing a wide variety of plants including a mixture of native, near-native and exotic plants to support pollinator biodiversity.

7 Grow your own bunch of flowers: Growing or buying UK-grown cut flowers can save up to 7.9kg Carbon per bunch compared with buying imported bunches.

8. Electrify your garden: Even though 82% of garden tools sold in the UK are powered by electricity, nearly 40%**** of gardeners still use ones powered by fossil fuels. An average gardener uses 9L of petrol a year equating to 7,6kg fossil carbon.

9. Help map UK garden plant biodiversity: Add your garden plants to RHS My Garden online to help the RHS conserve this important biodiversity for future generations.

10. Eat more home-grown, UK, local and seasonal fruit and vegetables. n www.rhs.org.uk

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HOME & GARDEN

Bigger is better for families at Beauchamp Park Bigger, as the saying goes, is better and this is true when it comes to describing the newly released four bedroom detached family properties at L&Q’s Beauchamp Park development off Gallows Hill in Warwick.

All private sale four bedroom detached homes come with a highquality ‘premium’ specification as standard – at no extra cost. Fully fitted bathrooms are complete with stylish chrome/stainless steel fittings, kitchens are equipped with AEG appliances, there’s lighting and fully fitted flooring throughout along with turf and paving to the rear garden. Plus, depending on the stage of the build, buyers can also style the interior from a choice of three colour palettes to ensure their home is just as they want it before they move in.

Residents will also enjoy the variety of beautiful, scenic public open spaces, footpaths, cycleways and children’s play areas within the development.

There’s also a choice of independent and state schools nearby which between them can provide families with an education from primary through to sixth form. This combined with access to a host of bars and eateries, shopping facilities, parks, open spaces and entertainment venues in Warwick, means the development is the ideal choice for buyers with children.

Claire Brenlund, L&Q’s Sales Director, said: “Beauchamp Park enjoys an enviable setting in one of the country’s most desirable locations. n 16 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 60 | February 2022

It has been carefully planned with families in mind and is the ideal choice for buyers who are looking for a property they can grow into in years to come.”

For more information visit lqhomes.com/beauchamppark n

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Pay up or sell up - the stark choice facing homeowners under new social care reforms Many homeowners may still have to sell their homes to pay for their own care later in life as reforms which were meant to tackle unfairness in the way the social care system is funded fall short of levelling the playing field, according to one leading Midlands law firm.

FBC Manby Bowdler’s Wills, Probate and Lifetime Planning team have been through the finer details of the social care reforms due to come into effect in October 2023, including the latest guidance notes from the Government, published on 19 November, which clarify how council support affects the cap. The firm is urging people to check the small print before they decide on their own care plans as they could be left significantly out of pocket.

“The Government announced the reforms with a promise that no-one will pay more than £86,000 for their care but this so-called ‘care cap’ is very misleading,” says Carina Kervin, Partner in FBC Manby Bowdler’s Wills, Probate and Lifetime Planning team.

“Firstly, the new guidance notes reveal that only payments people make themselves from their own funds will count towards the cap.

This means that any means-tested council funding you receive will not go towards the maximum amount you will be expected to contribute to your care costs.

Carina adds: “While the reforms to social care funding have been largely welcomed, homeowners need to understand the implications of the rule changes on their future plans. Many may still have to sell their home during their lifetime to pay for their care or alternatively, their families will have to sell it in the event of their death.

“Ultimately, despite these proposed reforms, we are still likely to see a generation of people who have saved all their lives unable to leave anything significant behind for their loved ones.”

The best course of action for people who wish to protect assets from care fees is to take advice at the earliest opportunity. With appropriate planning, people can protect assets to pass on to the next generation. The problem is that people often leave it too late.

If you would like to know more about how social care reforms will affect you, please visit https://www.fbcmb.co.uk/media-hub-area/ answering-your-care-cap-questions/or contact Carina Kervin on 01743 284143 or email carina.kervin@fbcmb.co.uk for an informal discussion with one of FBC Manby Bowdler’s Will, Probate and Future Planning team. n

ANSWERS

“Secondly, care is the only thing covered by the cap, and not daily living costs which go towards food, energy bills and accommodation.

“As such, all of the money you will be paying for living costs (which can add a considerable amount onto the weekly cost of your care) will not be taken into account when the Government decides how much you should be contributing to your own care, and this could eat through any savings or assets you have very quickly.”

The Government also promised that nobody needing care should be forced to sell their home to pay for it. But Carina has warned that this too isn’t as clear cut as it appears.

She says: “The reality is that if you don’t have adequate funds to pay for your care home placement (either from savings or income) and you don’t qualify for National Health Service or Local Authority funding, then your home becomes a fundamental part of the equation. This could mean selling your home in your lifetime to fund your care or entering into a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) with a Local Authority.”

The Government is championing the use of DPAs and says these loan agreements with a Local Authority will be available to all. In a DPA, the Local Authority agrees to pay your care costs upfront and the money for your care is recouped from the sale of your house after your death or at any time the property is sold during your lifetime, which of course greatly diminishes the inheritance you are leaving to your loved ones. These DPAs are subject to interest and administration fees, so advice should always be taken before entering into such an agreement. n 18 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 60 | February 2022

You’ve found the answers!

The puzzles are on page 30 1

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SENIOR LIVING

Quality care in Stratford Upon Avon

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.

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.

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

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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.

Ambleside care home, Dodwell CV37 9TG care.uk.com/ambleside Email: Julia.joy@careuk.com Priors House care home, Blackdown CV32 6RW care.uk.com/priors-house maria.cridge@careuk.com *As rated by the Care Quality Commission in England and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland.n

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EDUCATION Trustees of the Princethorpe Foundation on Thursday 6 January, gave the green light for work to commence on Princethorpe College’s new £8m Science Centre.

The Science Centre, which features 10 brand-new, state-of-theart Science laboratories, will ultimately transform the College’s entire campus allowing other areas to be redeveloped and departments clustered within the main school building.

The project, the College’s largest and most ambitious to date, has undergone a comprehensive and lengthy design, planning, costing and tendering process over the last five years. The contract for the main build has been awarded to Trendgrey Construction Limited, based in nearby Stockton. Headed up

by MD Nick Henderson, who has been with the company for twenty-two years, Trendgrey is well-known to The Princethorpe Foundation having completed the Sixth Form Resource Centre at Princethorpe in 2014 The Gables at Crackley Hall in 2016 and the Horton Centre at Crescent School in 2021.

Preparatory work will now begin, before the contractor moves onto site over February Half Term. The construction is estimated to take around 14 months with the building expected to open its doors for teaching in September 2023.

Members of the Princethorpe community interested in supporting the project through personal or corporate naming rights, sponsoring an engraved paver, wall brick or Periodic Table element in the new Centre can contact the Foundation’s Development Office for more details at makingadifference@ princethorpe.co.uk n

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Green light given for Princethorpe’s New £8 million Science Centre

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WEDDINGS

Post-pandemic wedding trends Last year, the marriage rate fell by 69% in the UK, with approximately 73,600 weddings and same-sex civil partnership ceremonies postponed to 2021/2022. Those who were lucky enough to wed had to limit the number of guests, host virtual ceremonies, socially distance, and scrap the reception buffet.

But as the economy slowly tries to rebuild, we reveal several wedding trends that will emerge after the pandemic.

Go Digital The industry implemented a digital model during lockdown, and the demand from couples continues to grow. With the likes of businesses adjusting to the ‘new normal’ offering virtual bridal appointments and online venue tours, planning a wedding has been made easier for future brides and grooms. Livestreaming a wedding was once reserved for celebrities and royalty, but thanks to clever technology platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Skype, loved ones are

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able to attend virtually on the big day.

Make your wedding Eco Friendly The growing trend towards supporting local businesses and minimising environmental impact will continue to influence couples’ planning decisions. Reports suggest that just one wedding alone can produce as much as 20kg of plastic waste – from cups, gift bags and fake confetti. Shifting to more sustainable décor such as invitations made from recycled paper, vegan menus, and composting any leftovers will help to reduce landfill waste and better impact the environment.

Sober-curious ceremonies Champagne, an open bar, alcohol has always been seen as essential for the big day, but more and more couples are putting alcohol-free alternatives on their wedding menus. Those choosing to avoid or reduce their alcohol intake for personal or wellness reasons will add another trend to future weddings. Offering a quality soft drink menu

combined with mocktails make your sober guest feel as welcome as the ‘party people’ Creative catering A wedding cake doesn’t need to be four feet tall and traditionally flavoured – more and more couples are personalising their cake as smaller guestlists have led to innovation.

Planners are seeing unique cupcakes designs and spectacular grazing boards flood their Pinterest and Instagram feeds.

Hygiene is also at the forefront of everyone’s minds, so serving individual portions rids the worry of a cramped buffet and shared cutlery.

According to research, couples needlessly throw out a tenth of all their wedding food – this is whopping £488 of food waste at the average sized wedding.

Businesses, brands, and suppliers are continue adapting to consumer demands – from the venue to the vows – to ensure they offer the best possible experience for future newlyweds. n

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What's On FEBRUARY Friday 11th - March 6th

Spectacle of light NEW Dazzling Spectacle!

Enjoy this beautiful illuminated trail through the majestic woodland of Compton Verney and around the parkland all lit under the stars.

Explore the stunning light installations, walk through the changing Light Curve, immerse yourself in the Carpet of Colour on the main lawn and be amazed by the sparkling light beams across the lake. Sip delicious Mulled Wine and Hot Chocolate as you meander along this beautiful trail. Take a moment by the house to tuck into scrumptious street food and mouth-watering treats. Booking for the Spectacle of Light is essential. No tickets will be available on the door.Tickets from £22 for adults. Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ.

Saturday 12th Lantern Walk 2022 St Richard’s Hospice beautiful Lantern Walk returns for 2022. Join at dusk to walk a beautiful 1.5-mile route around the grounds of National Trust Croome, and help us light up the night sky in the run-up to Valentine’s Day.Whether you’re joining us to remember a loved one or just to enjoy the picturesque setting of Croome, the evening is set to be a magical experience for all. All participants

n 26 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 60 | February 2022

over the age of 5 will receive a lantern and LED candle to carry along the route, and LED wands will be provided for little ones, lighting up the parkland of Croome as we make our way around the route in procession. Certain areas along the route will be lit up, giving you CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH the opportunity to experience Croome like never before. There is no minimum sponsorship or donation amount, any money raised is greatly appreciated. It is the additional money raised through sponsorship and donations that makes a huge difference to the individuals and families we support and care for ? The on-site cafe will be open throughout the evening selling hot drinks and light snacks.

We encourage participants to bring drinks flasks along with them as these can be used in the cafe. For more information and to book your tickets for the Lantern Walk by visiting www.strichards.org.uk/event/ lantern-walk-2022/ Birmingham’s Craft & Flea Craft & Flea is a collection of independent makers, collectors, designers and creatives all under one roof! Shop small and shop local in their authentic crafty twist on the traditional flea-market with a huge selection of products from illustration to vintage bric-

a-brac, plants to jewellery, ceramics to candles and SO much more!

This is not a typical craft fair. Stalls have been handpicked based on their high quality, on-trend products. £2.50 Entry. Under 12’s – free (do not require a ticket) The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, B9 4AA Birmingham.

Sunday 13th Ballet Training - Adults Ballet Training classes, taught by former and current Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers and based on the choreography for Carlos Acosta’s new production of Don Quixote, which premieres in Birmingham in February. Tickets: £22 No dance experience necessary, for adults of all abilities.Birmingham Royal Ballet, Thorp Street, Birmingham. www.brb.org.uk CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Discover Shakespeare's Schoolroom Standing in the heart of beautiful Stratford-uponAvon is the Grade I listed building where the world’s greatest playwright went to school and had his first experiences of theatre.

national treasure and is why historian Michael Wood has described Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall as “One of the most atmospheric, magical and important buildings in the whole of Britain.”

It is also one of the few remaining examples of a medieval guildhall in the country, with 600 years’ worth of stories to be discovered.

A sense of life as it would have been during Shakespeare’s time is part of an engaging, interactive, and authentic visitor experience that includes soundscapes, projections, films, and very knowledgeable guides.

This rich combination makes it a

Visitors are invited to step into the shoes of the young Shakespeare, to sit in the very room that he sat in as a pupil, to take part in a live Tudor lesson, to learn about William’s father John and to soak up the atmosphere of a late medieval Priest’s Chapel where rare medieval wall paintings were uncovered during the restoration of the building and which has had recent new interpretation throwing new light on the history of the building itself.

This is a visitor experience full of fun, excitement, and drama worthy of Shakespeare’s legacy.

We will be open over February halfterm from Saturday 19th-Sunday 27th February’. Find out more at www.ShakespearesSchoolroom.org n t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 27 n

WHAT’S ON

Tuesday 15th Kosmos February 15th at 7pm, £20. A marvellously eclectic mix of music from all over the world. Each member of Kosmos is an international soloist in their own right and all have travelled extensively. This is a concert for all ages with early start and no interval to make it family-friendly, and it promises an inspirational mix of Tango, Gypsy, Balkan and music from the Far East, referencing classical composers, with fearless improvisation and virtuoso technique.

Tuesday 22nd - Saturday 26th The Da Vinci Code Based on the novel by Dan Brown. Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff & Duncan Abel. Directed by Luke Sheppard. The blockbuster story that captivated the world is now an epic stage thriller. The curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered, and alongside his body are a series of baffling codes. Follow the pulse-racing journey as Professor Robert Langdon, played by television favourite Nigel Harman (EastEnders, Hotel Babylon) and fellow cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Hannah Rose Caton) attempt to solve the riddles, leading to the works of Leonardo Da Vinci and beyond, deep into the vault of history. With guidance from teacher and friend Sir Leigh Teabing, played by family favourite Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf, Death in Paradise), Langdon and Neveu embark on a breathless race through the streets of Europe. The pair must decipher the labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever. Tickets From £13.50 Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GS. n

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Lighting the Way Rare Lalique Lamps Shine at Auction A pair of exceptionally rare and recently discovered Art Deco table lamps from the 1920’s led the way in an auction of 100 Lots celebrating the glass of Rene Lalique and his contemporaries in the Cotswolds.

The pair of lamps designed by the world-famous French master of Art Deco, Rene Lalique comprise stepped pyramid frosted glass shades mounted on silvered metal bases with stepped plinths reminiscent of a skyscraper by fellow Frenchman and renowned ironworker Edgar Brandt (1880-1960).

Measuring 53cm high, the ‘Grand Depot’ table lamps were designed in collaboration between the two masters in 1928 and although the metalwork is unmarked, both shades are engraved R. Lalique. They are illustrated in the catalogue raisonne.

Created just prior to The Great Depression for the Le Grand Depot a Paris, a luxury goods store on Rue Drouot, they were purchased back in the 1970’s by the current vendor with a discerning eye ‘for a nominal amount’. Very few examples of the lamps have appeared at auction.

Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director at Cotswold based auctioneers, Kinghams who discovered the lamps comments on the find: ‘Lalique glass is revered the world over by arbiters of taste. From tiny menu holders, perfume bottles, vases to car mascots and monumental installations - all evoke the glamour and decadence of the roaring 1920’s.

Adrian goes on to say, ‘Current demand and prices achieved for rare items of Lalique are enjoying a boom. We recently achieved a record price of £140,000 for the holy grail of car mascots, the Renard (fox). Mascots and vases aside, Lalique produced many aspects of lighting such as ceiling/pendant lamps but the Grand Depot table lamps in my opinion embody the quintessential hallmarks of the Art Deco era with two masters of their craft united - Rene Lalique and Edgar Brandt’.

Lot 76, the lamps were offered at Kinghams Auctioneers Rene Lalique & His Contemporaries auction on 9th December and sold for £32,000 and purchased by a private buyer in South Africa.

Find out if you are sitting on a fortune with Kinghams free valuation services for all manner of jewellery, watches, silver, paintings, antiques and collectables. Home visits are available for large/multiple items, estate clearance and downsizing advice.

For further information, please contact Adrian Rathbone on 01608 695695 or email adrian@kinghamsauctioneers.com

By Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director, Kinghams Auctioneers, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. n

t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 29 n

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n 32 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 60 | February 2022