WARWICKSHIRE NOW NOVEMBER 2021

Warwickshire

Now

KERB APPEAL CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDARS WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 58

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

TURN TO PAGE 26 & 27 FOR MORE DETAILS

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

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Warwickshire

Now

Contents

04

08 12

November 2021

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

HOME & GARDEN

26

08 Kerb Appeal Christmas

20

12 Gardening jobs for November

BEAUTY 20 Countdown to Christmas: Advent Calendars

WHAT’S ON 26 All the latest events in November

WA R W I C K S H I R E

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EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Daisy Bennett

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

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

How Leamington Spa played a vital role in the creation of guide dogs in the UK Sight loss charity Guide Dogs, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in October, has paid tribute to the town of Leamington Spa for playing a vital role in the creation of its iconic guide dog service. The first four guide dogs in the UK, Flash, Folly, Meta and Judy, were trained in Wallasey, Cheshire, in October 1931.

After this, a temporary centre in Wallasey, known as ‘The Cliff’ was used, but when this site was requisitioned during World War Two, the search for a permanent home for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association began. Several areas were considered including Manchester, Derbyshire and Surrey, but Leamington Spa was seen as the best location due to the rural and urban areas it offered for dog training, its central location and its road networks.

in Leamington Spa had to take a break from their training. Dogs were boarded full-time with local volunteers and guide dog training stopped for three months.

A guide dog begins its formal training at around 12-14 months old.

In normal circumstances, most dogs qualify as working guide dogs by the age of two. To find out how you can support Guide Dogs, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk n

On the 27th July 1940, Edmondscote Manor in Leamington Spa became the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association’s first permanent home, receiving its first blind students in 1941. Since then, Edmondscote Manor, now known as the Guide Dogs Midlands Regional Centre, and the town of Leamington Spa, have remained essential training locations for Guide Dogs.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, around 70 trainee guide dogs

New owner at Hair Salon Warwick transforms salon and clients to create new looks for all You may have noticed a buzz around Hair Salon Warwick recently, new owner Sara Kelly has transformed the salon into a fashionable environment for ladies, gents and kids to sit back and relax whilst enjoying a memorable hair pamper. Based in the centre of Warwick, the salon boasts a welcoming feel backed up by a friendly team that are eager to please their clientele.

The experienced team at Hair Salon Warwick includes Sara, a leading international hair stylist from South Africa, stylists Leia and Shannon from Warwick, stylist Whitney and Salon manager Tiffany from London. Collectively, this powerful all-women team boast some 40 years’ experience in rejuvenating clients’ hairstyles. “Hair is our passion and it is our aim to create styles that suit each individual client. The condition of our client’s hair is our number one priority,” says Sara. “I am passionate about healthy hair and use products that are gentle and kind to the body.”

Services include creative cuts, specialist colour techniques that include popular colour melts, balayage, ombre, highlights; perms, treatments and keratin smoothing systems…. you name it, the salon provides it. Whether you are a bride or in need of trendy waves or an

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updo for a special event, or simply need your regular cut and finish, Hair Salon Warwick will ensure your hair is done with pizzaz and style.

Ongoing education ensures stylists remain in the know with the latest colours ,cuts, styles and techniques.

If it’s the latest innovative product from Schwarzkopf or Wella you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Hair Salon Warwick’s retail counter. A gorgeous Christmas extravaganza gifting range is also available.

Follow Hair Salon Warwick on Facebook and Instagram and see some of the recent client feedback and 5-star ratings, including comments “amazing staff”, “great ambience”, “superb experience”, “excellent service” and “a real treat!”

Call us on 01926 494424 to book your appointment! n

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HERE & NOW

New ethical coffee house starts brewing in Leamington Spa A new, ethically-focused Coffee House (and eatery) is brewing in Leamington Spa: Esquires Coffee opened on the site of the old Coop Department Store, creating 15 new jobs.

Owner Martin Brown, explains: “Other than our coffee blend, Esquires is different with our ethical approach to business: we only sell premium Fairtrade, organic coffee; we source from local Warwickshire suppliers; we have a zero-to-landfill policy and, we support the local community with apprenticeships and training to individuals experiencing barriersto-work. Customers can ‘gift’ coffee through our loyalty scheme. And, we are part of the ‘Too Good To Go’ scheme, eradicating food waste by donating perishable food.”

Martin added: “I am passionate about customer service and also this social aspect to business; this is something that I really want to build on. Having a 10-year lease gives me the space to really grow and develop the customer offering whilst pushing this community agenda.” n

A delicious mix of music at Stratford Music Festival Just under a month to go before the 2021 Stratford Music Festival gets underway with a fabulous introductory weekend of music spanning Mozart to Brahms.

On the afternoon of Saturday 20th November Stratford Town Hall plays host to the Orchestra of the Swan, performing a delicious mix of music from Mozart to Mendelssohn via Tchaikovsky. Artistic Director David Le Page is passionate about audience inclusivity, which shows in this wonderfully accessible programme of classics from three of the world’s greatest composers.

Then later that evening, there’s a rare opportunity to see a performance of Brahms’s German Requiem by the Stratford Choral Society, the oldest choral society in

the UK, at Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church.

As if that weren’t enough, Sunday offers a unique and special treat: the Orchestra of the Swan will perform Prokoviev’s muchloved Peter and the Wolf, narrated by world-famous musician, actress and TV presenter, Toyah Willcox, at the Stratford Play House.

And before all that, if your tastes run to jazz, why not join us at Cox’s Yard on Festival opening night (Friday 19th November) for a lively compendium of pieces from Jaco Pastorius and Victor Lopez, performed by King Eddie’s Revival Big Band – otherwise known as the King Edward VI School Jazz Band.

Visit www.stratfordmusicfestival.com for more on the week-long programme of exciting events and to book tickets. n

A seasonal treat at Coventry Cathedral “a real seasonal treat – superbly chosen sequences of choral music, ravishingly performed … the Christmas concerts of choice for those seeking quiet poetry rather than commercial schmaltz” (Birmingham Post) Following its sell-out performance in 2019, the leading UK choir Ex Cathedra return to Coventry Cathedral on Tuesday 7 December with their magical Christmas Music by Candlelight concert. Audiences across the Midlands have enjoyed this popular programme for many years, and this year Ex Cathedra will give performances in Hereford Cathedral, Leicester, London, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, as well as 5 performances in their home city of Birmingham and the concert at Coventry Cathedral.

Expect spell-binding performances of seasonal favourites, little-known gems and some surprises, all presented – sometimes surrounding the audience - within an atmospheric sequence of music and readings that celebrates the Christmas story in all its guises.

And Ex Cathedra return to Coventry Cathedral again on Saturday 26 February to present When a Child is a Witness as part of the City of Culture year. This powerful, emotional piece by Liz Dilnot Johnson brings different communities and artforms together - within the framework of a Requiem - in response to the human tragedy of war

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and displacement, and celebrates those who offer refuge and hope.

The piece incorporates performances from a range of refugee artists, a refugee choir and local schoolchildren.

Tickets for both concerts are available now, starting at £13 for adults or £8 for under 18s and anyone in full-time education. Full details and booking can be found at www.excathedra.co.uk. n

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HOME & GARDEN

Create a magical kerb appeal Christmas Whenever I think of the ultimate home at Christmas, my mind travels back to the mansion in the 1990 Christmas film Home Alone. All pristine and lit up with a million fairy lights; inviting, warm and magical. With rising fuel costs and budgets tight, how your home looks on the outside may not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds and not everyone is going to have the prospect of decorating a mansion this winter. It is important however to keep your home looking vibrant, to add value to your home, and the entire street. Whether its refreshing your doorstep to cleaning your driveway, we take a look at the best ways to freshen up your homes’ exterior over the festive period.

Brighten up your door A fresh lick of paint on your front door is a simple way of brightening up your home without breaking the budget. Add some colour to your outdoor wood while protecting it from harsh weather at the same time with Ronseal’s 10 Year Weatherproof Wood Paint. Available in 14 different colours, there’s no need for primer so it’s easy to apply and will keep your wood looking good not only in the winter but for a further 10 years. A new door may be a stretch too far for someone if its just to give the house an extra ‘wow’ factor over Christmas, but if you are looking at a more permanent decision, a composite door is very fashionable at the moment. It gives extra security and comes in a variety of styles.

Welcome in the spirit of Christmas by adding a wreath to the front door. Wreaths come in all different shapes and sizes and there are many tutorials online about how you can make your own. You can add in evergreen leaves and pine cones that you can find on winter woodland walks then twist the bracken around a wire frame and CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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• • • • • • • • • • •

Patios Brickwork Slabbing Gravel Landscaping Fencing Property Repairs Roofing Repairs Clay & Block Paving Tarmacing (Red or White) Driveway Maintenence (pressure

•

cleaning and sealing - weed free)

We pride ourselves on our high standard of workmanship We will beat any like for like geuine written quote

01926 674782/ 01789 270869 M: 07961 358367 E: projectspaving@icloud.com To see our current range of work carried out in your local area please visit www.projectspaving.co.uk

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HOME & GARDEN Whenever I think of the ultimate home at Christmas, my mind travels back to the mansion in the 1990 Christmas film Home Alone.

All pristine and lit up with a million fairy lights; inviting, warm and magical. With rising fuel costs and budgets tight, how your home looks on the outside may not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds and not everyone is going to have the prospect of decorating a mansion this winter. It is important however to keep your home looking vibrant, to add value to your home, and the entire street.

Whether its refreshing your doorstep to cleaning your driveway, we take a look at the best ways to freshen up your homes’ exterior over the festive period.

Brighten up your door A fresh lick of paint on your front door is a simple way of brightening up your home without breaking the budget. Add some colour to your outdoor wood while protecting it from harsh weather at the same time with Ronseal’s 10 Year Weatherproof Wood Paint. Available in 14 different colours, there’s no need for primer so it’s easy to apply and will keep your wood looking good not only in the winter but for a further 10 years. A new door may be a stretch too far for someone if its just to give the house an extra ‘wow’ factor over Christmas, but if you are looking at a more permanent decision, a composite door is very fashionable at the moment. It gives extra security and comes in a variety of styles.

flowering plant like the Christmas Rose which is much more robust when the weather worsens. Other plants and trees to conside using are; holly, poinsettia, mistletoe, pine cones and dwarf conifers that can mimick small Christmas trees you can decorate and display at your doorway.

Add lights Lighting up the front of your house can be daunting when thinking of electricity bills, but a lot of decorations now are made with LED’s, so all you’ll need to buy are a good set of batteries to keep them going through December. You can still add kerb appeal to your home with lights and decorations inside the front windows. Looking into a warm and inviting home, goes past the front door to what you can see on the outside.

For whatever you choose to decorate the front of your home this festive period, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! n

by Daisy Bennett

Welcome in the spirit of Christmas by adding a wreath to the front door. Wreaths come in all different shapes and sizes and there are many tutorials online about how you can make your own. You can add in evergreen leaves and pine cones that you can find on winter woodland walks then twist the bracken around a wire frame and adding LED candles to light throughout advent. You can also add bows, small figures, dried fruit, toys, even sweets, to bring your own personality to your wreath..

Clean your windows and frames You may already have a window cleaner that comes from time to time to give your windows a clean. Or you could give the home a regular once over yourself. A simple way of cleaning your windows is by mixing one part water to one part vinegar in a small bucket, then using a cloth (or mop for the higher windows) and give them a deep scrub. After drying, apply a window cleaning spray and wipe with a clean cloth. A clean, sparkling window shows off what you can see from the outside looking in. Make your Christmas tree visible from the outside and place any prominent decorations in the front room.

Driveway Cleaning a driveway throughout winter, may seem like a tedious job, but if forgotten about during this time, can lead to more problems when spring comes. A perfect way to give your drive or path a fresh new look is to use a hose to remove all unwanted debris, then apply a solution to the damp surface and wait for around twenty minutes for it to do it’s job, then scrub hard broom or brush. If there is a real weed problem with the driveway, you may need a stronger, more potent detergent to remove them before scrubbing away any debris.

A beautiful garden An unkept front garden is not what anyone wants to see whether they’re prospective buyers or its you coming home from a long day at work. You want to create a warm and inviting feeling for anyone coming to the house. If you have a front garden, keep on top of any unwanted plants, weeds and trim back anything overhanging on walls, paths or the front door. Add potted plants and trees to create the perfect entrance. Choose a winter foliage or an evergreen

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Ronseal’s 10 Year Weatherproof Wood Paint www.ronseal.com

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HOME & GARDEN HOME & GARDEN

Pruning and your November Gardening jobs How to Prune Before you start clipping, it’s best to know what you’re looking to remove. Prune any dead, dying, or diseased branches. If you’re dealing with disease, cut well below any affected areas and don’t prune when it’s wet outside, since water can spread the harmful stuff. You’ll also want to cut back any limbs encroaching on walkways or mown areas so they don’t get broken off. Thinning branches in general also allows more sunlight and air to reach the centre of trees and shrubs.

Get the right gear for the job. Drop into your local garden centre as each of us have different grips and strenghens. Make sure they are durable yet lightweight. Some have rolling gears which help prevent cramping of your hand. Try to buy the best you can afford and get them sharpened regularly.

You should have deadheaded all the perennials by now if not there is still time to cut the heads off now. After the first frost, cut down and mulch the area well for next year’s growth. However, you should skip clipping and dead heading if the dried flowers or seeds are useful for propagation. During the Autumn it is best not to clip woody plants as at that time of year they don’t produce a protective tissue called callus. Fungal spores, bacteria, and insects could find a foothold in open wounds.

As we move into winter it is a great time to prune many trees and shrubs since insect and disease pressure is minimized, and the plant architecture is clearly visible. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or hazardous limbs. Clip the unwanted side shoots, as well as any crossed or rubbing branches. Somes of the species suited for winter pruning include poplar, spruce, junipers, fruit trees including cherries and plums. Don’t be tempted to prune your roses yet.

What else to do in November?

November is the ideal month to start making plans for next year. Be ruthless with plants that performed badly; remove and replace with a better variety. Make notes of all your good ideas, ready for next year.

Don’t be too efficient during your final tidy up of the year. Provide over-wintering nooks and crannies for our helpful garden creatures

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such as hedgehogs, toads and ladybirds. Leave tufty grasses, small log heaps and piles of leaves to keep them safe until next spring.

They’ll reward you by being on hand to control early pests.

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HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN Soil matters • Keep off wet soil in all parts of the garden to avoid compacting and damaging the structure. If you absolutely have to walk on it in the wet, stand on a plank to spread your weight. This is especially important for clay soil.

• Protect bare soil during the winter months. Use autumn leaves as a mulch (cover) during winter weather. Don’t worry if there are fungi growing in the leaves; they won’t harm your plants.

• Don’t stop weeding. Hoe off/pull out any annual weeds, and dig out perennial ones that are revealed. Compost green foliage, but not seed heads nor perennial weed roots.

• Continue to collect fallen autumn leaves and pile them, keeping them damp, in large bin bags or heaps, to make leaf mould.

Composting • Avoid bonfires. If the compost bin is still overflowing, just store excess material in bags until the heap subsides enough for more to be piled in.

• Leaves with blotches are safe to compost as their diseases are generally air-borne and composting will break it all down. However, never add plant roots with soil-borne diseases such as Brassica clubroot and onion white rot. Their spores will survive the composting process.

• Give the heap a turn to aerate and stimulate the composting processes.

• Check its consistency - if too dry add wet materials like nettles and green weed foliage and water them in. If too wet, add scrumpled junk mail, cardboard and small twigs which are good high-carbon materials and will aerate the heap.

• Wood-waste needs to be composted until it’s thoroughly broken down, black and crumbly. Soaking large piles of shreddings with nettle tea will speed up the process. Alternatively, use fresh shreddings as path-coverings to keep feet mud-free in wet weather.

Sharing the hire-costs of a shredder with neighbours is an economical way of dealing with piles of prunings. n

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UPVC is a very durable product and is designed to last, the problem is that it fades and can become discoloured over time making it look unpleasant.

Using our revolutionary painting system and equipment we can restore the appearance of all UPVC products such as windows, doors, facia/guttering; we can even spray life back into your old conservatory making it look brand new again!

Save thousands reviving your UPVC compared to a huge cost to replace it.

Call today to arrange a survey of your home.

OUR DIFFERENCE

We offer more colours - pick any colour, we will colour match it perfectly.

We will change any misty or damaged glass units.

We install new locking mechanisms.

All work comes with a 10 year guarantee.

Weather protection/ Fresh look & feel / No peeling or flaking

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

ANSWERS You’ve found the answers!

The puzzles are on page 39

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SENIOR LIVING

Enjoy your old age at Kineton Manor Old age can be delightful time with more freedom and time to relax. The time can be spent reading, walking in the garden and relaxing, whilst at the same time having a life free of daily chores. Imagine being free to live your life in peace and dignity whilst still being able to see your family and friends when they visit.

Kineton Manor is a beautiful country house surrounded by lovely gardens with beautiful views. Situated close to the centre of Kineton, it is one of five, Teaching Care Homes in the UK and is accredited by the Gold Standard Framework for palliative care.

The home is well staffed with professional registered nurses and trained carers. No agency staff are used, meaning continuity of care. The en-suite rooms are fully furnished and many on the ground floor have French windows giving access to the garden.

We believe in giving our residents choices – whether that is where to eat their meals, rising and bedtimes, where to sit and whether to join in the many activities or not. Our residents are encouraged to continue with any of their hobbies or pastimes.

Fees are inclusive of meals, laundry, hairdressing, chiropody and incontinence products. We aim to provide the highest standard of care whilst giving priority to the individuality of residents, always ensuring that they receive the warmth and respect that they deserve.

Please telephone for more details and to arrange a visit. n

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BEAUTY

Countdown to Christmas Countdown to Christmas is style with these advent calendars that are full of wonderful treats for a daily mini-pamper.

CHANEL N°5 THE CALENDAR HOLIDAY - £610 Shaped like an enormous bottle of N°5, this holiday calendar was designed as a work of art and is available in limited quantities. It contains some of the CHANEL House’s most iconic products. Among its many surprises are a limited-edition ROUGE ALLURE lipstick inspired by N°5, LE VERNIS in a new shade of red, and a bottle of N°5 Eau de Parfum, as well as a bracelet bearing the number 5, a one-of-a-kind snow globe, and a host of other accessories dedicated to the fragrance and designed just for the occasion. www.chanel.com n 20 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 58 |November 2021

BEAUTY

L’OCCITANE LUXURY ADVENT CALENDAR - £99 Featuring a curated selection of L’OCCITANE favourites, our Luxury Advent Calendar is for the gifter, or self-gifter, to indulge in a little pampering in the lead up to the holidays. You will uncover a delighta-day, including a full-sized product every week, best-sellers such as our world-renowned Shea Butter Hand Cream, Almond Shower Oil and Divine Cream as well as new scents, hair care products, skincare and makeup. Oh, and another thing about our Premium Calendar... we encourage you to continue using it after the 25th December.

With its delicate design and gold foil stamping, it transforms into the perfect place to stash your jewellery. uk.loccitane.com

CLARINS WOMEN’S 12 DAY BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR - £65 Clarins invites you to discover a world of Festive Wonders with our collection of Christmas treats. Our Women’s 12 Day Beauty Advent Calendar is back and bursting with Clarins classics. 12 days of joy including a full size Supra Volume Mascara and Intense Natural Lip Perfector and 10 travel-size treats, from skincare to make-up must-haves. www.clarins.co.uk

L’OCCITANE CLASSIC ADVENT CALENDAR - £55 Our timeless Classic Advent Calendar holds an array of our most-loved products, made with ingredients cared for by our cherished producers.

You will find our iconic Verbena and Almond shower products, youthboosting Immortelle skincare, and our best-selling product… Shea Butter Hand Cream! uk.loccitane.com

NEW AND IMPROVED HAIR SALON IN THE CENTRE OF WARWICK

CLARINS MEN’S 12 DAY SELF-CARE ADVENT CALENDAR - £65 Clarins Men’s 12 Day Self-Care Advent Calendar includes products and 10 travel-size treats, from skin to body care all must haves for him. Try the best-selling products from our men’s range and find your firm favourites. You’ll be left feeling refreshed and ready for the new year. www.clarins.co.uk

LET US SPOIL YOU THIS AUTUMN WITH A FREE TREATMENT AND BLOWDRY WITH ANY COLOUR SERVICE* BOOKED FOR NOVEMBER. CALL US ON 01926494424 TO BOOK *PATCH TEST REQUIRED

www.hairsalonwarwick.com

58 Market Place, CV344SD

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EDUCATION

How to teach your children about...Sustainability As a parent it’s important to lead by example and educate your children about sustainability from the offset. But what is the best way to teach your little ones about sustainability?

can offer hours of fun for kid’s craft projects. Milk carton bird feeder to homemade musical instruments are some of the many things you can make with the recycling and the best part of getting crafty is that it offers a fun lesson in sustainability.

1. Share clothes When your children outgrow their clothes don’t just throw away or push to the back of the wardrobe but explain to your children that someone else is going to love their clothes and pass it on to their siblings or friends. Recycling outgrown and unwanted clothes will help to avoid buying more items.

5. Have fun in the garden Another great way for teaching your children about sustainability is to spend time in the garden. By having the fulfilment of growing your own fruit and vegetables and using your food waste to make compost. Gardening will teach your children to love recycling since they will be able to see and enjoy the benefits.

2. Make recipes with leftover food There’s nothing that’s more shameful that throwing food away, all because we’ve cooked or bought too much. As a nation we throw away more than 4.5 million tonnes of food each year1 and so its important that we all do our bit to reuse leftovers. From making soups and pies there are plenty of recipes out there and get your children involved in cooking a fun meal together with the leftover ingredients.

BusinessWaste.co.uk campaigns for tighter laws to discourage littering, wasteful behaviour, and to encourage greater recycling.

We’re the waste company that hates waste. n

3. Walk to places where possible Teach your children that its important to walk to places instead of jumping in the passenger seat. From walking to school and to the local shop, public health research shows that children who do some form of exercise, especially a walk, before school do better in class2.

Not to mention the positive effects such as lowering emissions.

4. Get crafty From the bottles, jars and boxes that quicky fill up the recycling bin

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CHRISTMAS

Santa at the Schoolroom

New Christmas experience this December Think of one of the most magical buildings in Stratford-upon-Avon, add a sprinkle of fairy dust and the result is Santa at the Schoolroom. This enchanting family experience, created by Tell Tale Presents, will be taking place for the first time at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall.

December; Sunday 19 December; Monday 20 December; Tuesday 21 December; Wednesday 22 December; Thursday 23 December.

Book tickets: ShakespearesSchoolroom.org display. n

Visitors will embark on a journey through the 600 year old building, with lots of Christmas characters to meet along the way including Santa, who will be making himself at home by the fireplace in the Master’s Chamber.

A festive quiz gets things underway in the Guildhall, where fun-loving Puck will share riddles and Thursday the Elf will tell a Christmas story. The Georgian Schoolroom will be full of Christmas crafts and games. And the revelry will continue with a ‘What the Dickens?’ encounter in Shakespeare’s Schoolroom with Charles Dickens.

Tickets are £10 per person (under 2s free). The experience lasts between one hour and one hour and 20 minutes. Participants will receive a small gift from Santa.

Dates: Saturday 11 December; Sunday 12 December; Saturday 18

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CHRISTMAS

A Magical Night time light display in time for Diwali Sunday, November 7 at 4.30pm A magical night-time light display is set to roll through the streets of Coventry in time for Diwali as part of a city-wide celebration of some of the city’s most significant historic landmarks.

Lullaby - a moving light and sound artwork created with help from Coventry citizens – will travel through residential areas on over 100 illuminated bicycles in November.

The flotilla of lights on two convoys of decorated bicycles will be accompanied by music and specially-commissioned bike bells, which will begin their journeys on Sunday, November 7 at 4.30pm. One route will pass by the Starley memorial in London Road Cemetery, a key historic landmark in Coventry’s heritage story. The other route will leave from Foxford School and ride through Longford before arriving at Foleshill Road.

Lullaby, created by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram, will also feature as part of Abundance, a City of Culture event celebrating light, hope and freedom beginning and ending at the Indian Community Centre on Cross Road in Foleshill.

Qualified group leaders from British Cycling will guide two flotillas of bicycles playing the relaxing soundscape through the streets of Longford and Cheylesmore before converging in Foleshill at a cultural procession for Diwali.

The display will feature an ambient sound composition by Dan Jones and Guy Hughes as it travels through residential streets, arriving in the heart of Coventry’s South Asian community.

The bicycles will ride past memorials in London Road Cemetery in honour of James and John Kemp Starley, the godfathers of bicycle invention, ringing the specially-tuned bells designed by sound collective Friend or Foe. Leading each flotilla will be a Hail pedicab – an electrically-assisted

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tricycle cab – decorated with lighting designed by local artist Avtar Kaur, while Sustrans, which is behind the National Cycle Network, will host creative workshops on the day of the ride. Students from Foxford Secondary School, Blue Coat Secondary School, Earlsdon Primary School and All Saints Primary School will help Avtar prepare the pedicabs while decorating their own bicycles.

The project is part of the activity programme supporting the National Lottery-funded restoration of London Road Cemetery – a partnership between Coventry City Council and Historic Coventry Trust.

Sarah Allen, at Historic Coventry Trust, which is presenting Lullaby, said: “Luke Jerram’s Lullaby is a great way to connect young people and families in the city with this year’s Diwali celebrations, and is set to be a real spectacle on a dark November evening.

“School pupils will be able to get involved by decorating their own bicycles before joining the convoy, while residents can enjoy the mesmerising sound and light display passing their front doors.

“The event will be part of a major City of Culture event that will see exciting displays and performances bringing a real sense of community to the city in a very visible way, and we’d love to see people sharing their photos of Lullaby on Twitter via #LullabyCoventry.”

The first Lullaby took place in Bristol in 2013 and has since featured in Tilburg, Holland; Portland in Dorset; Derry, Northern Ireland; Perth, Australia and the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival in London.

The project is being brought to Coventry with the support of National Heritage Lottery Fund, National Lottery Community Fund and Coventry City of Culture Trust, presented by Historic Coventry Trust in partnership with Coventry City Council and Arup, which has provided the lights featured in the display. n

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What's On NOVEMBER Saturday 6th Warwick Town Bonfire Hampton Street, Warwick Warwick holds a reputation for grand community occasions and one of the most eagerly anticipated is the town bonfire, proudly staged at Warwick Racecourse on Saturday 6 November. Join thousands of locals in the terraces to enjoy an awe-inspiring view of the giant blaze in the centre of the park, followed fireworks, set to light up the sky. This year’s theme…..is James Bond, so expect to be shaken and stirred by the occasion. Including live music, bars and food and drink outlets. The town bonfire is being run as a charity fund raiser for the Lions and Rotary Clubs. Adults (+15): £8, Children (aged 4 - 14): £2, Under 3s go free. Gates open: 5pm, Junior show: 6pm Main fireworks display: 6:30pm.

Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th Cloudscapes Warwick Arts Centre University of Warwick, Coventry Cloudscapes is a contemplative artwork where you are invited to stop and cloudgaze and consider your place in the world.

Lie back on giant comfortable beanbags and listen on headphones to the 45-minute piece narrated by artist and creator Lorna Rees, where she soothes you with her personal musings on cloud formation interspersed with stories about her relationship with the troposphere and on the journey of a lifetime she took, accompanied by her Father.

An enjoyable, uplifting and reflective experience. After listening to the work, audience members are invited to visit the Cloud Museum housed in a vintage horse trailer. It’s a piece with three threads – about climate change, cloud formation and a journey across the USA with my Dad - driving the route 66 cloud gazing with him. 12-4pm, outdoor - free event.

Sunday 7th Light Switch on The Parade, Leamington Spa As we celebrate Diwali, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab and start the countdown to Christmas, come and enjoy a packed programme of entertainment for all the family! There is a bumper yuletide market, fairground rides and some of the best local talent performing on the stage! Lights will be switched on at 5.15pm. The event runs 10-6pm.

Stratford Rugby Club’s Town Bonfire The news the town has been waiting for, the Stratford Rugby Club’s Town Bonfire and Fireworks is back ! After a year off - the annual Bonfire and Fireworks will take place at Stratford Rugby Club, Loxley Road. There will be food, sweets, mulled wine, fairground rides and other games and stalls, along with the usual huge bonfire and sensational fireworks to music. Famously regarded as the biggest and best display in the area, the event is open to all members of the public and we look forward to welcoming the wonderful people of CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

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WHAT’S ON

our town to the club on the night. Gates open 5pm, Bonfire Lit 6pm, Fireworks 7pm. Entrance is payable on the gate - Adults £6.50, Under 15’s £3.50, U3’s - Free. As usual road closures will be in place around the club, parking at the club is available to disabled badge holders only, so please plan your trip and parking accordingly

Friday 12th - January 9th Winterglow Immerse yourself in all things seasonal, with an impressive line-up of activities and excitement on offer in Malvern this winter. Build your own Christmas adventure by choosing any combination from the festive experiences that folllow; Ice Skating on one of the region’s largest covered real ice rinks, afterwards visit our indoor Ice Cafe for a hot chocolate or mulled wine. Journey on their Arctic Express land train, visit the elves workshop and meet Santa with personalised grotto experiences. Head out on their Illuminated Light Trail, featuring light tunnels, giant flowers, lake with dancing water fountains, and a warming fire garden. See the Malvern skyline from a birds-eye view, in the town’s first ever Giant Observation Wheel located within the new Festival Food Quarter. For more information go to; www.winterglow.co.uk

Saturday 20th Stratford Choral Society Holy Trinity Church 1 Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon Tickets are now available for Stratford Choral Society at Holy CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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WITH TOYAH WILLCOX NARRATING PETER AND THE WOLF

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WHAT’S ON Trinity Church Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire on Sat 20 Nov 2021 at 7:30pm.

“Pure Pleasure“ THE GUARDIAN ☆☆☆☆☆ Supersize Polyphony THE TIMES ☆☆☆☆☆“Splendid” Naked Byrd THE INDEPENDENT ☆☆☆☆☆ BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Thursday 20th - December 11th The Nutcracker Birmingham Royal Ballet are excited to announce the first performances outside London of the spectacular Royal Albert Hall production of The Nutcracker. After 30 years, Sir Peter Wright’s legendary production will be undergoing a major renovation, thanks in large part to generous support from our audiences through the annual Christmas Big Give appeals. It will return, refreshed and revitalised, to Birmingham Hippodrome’s stage in November 2022, allowing us this unique opportunity to present a special adaptation of our London production on our home stage this year. For one year only, Sir David Bintley’s breathtaking London production will be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome. The show opens on a wintry soundscape - the Dickensian tones of Simon Callow as Drosselmeyer echo across the auditorium as he introduces the story and Tchaikovsky’s glorious score is placed at the centre of the action, with the orchestra out of the pit and on a platform raised above the stage. Scenery designer Dick Bird’s wall of mirrors reflects spectacular scenic elements that bring the 19th century to vivid life, such as Drosselmeyer’s toyshop, the Stahlbaum’s beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and the scary midnight world in which King Rat battles the Nutcracker doll and his band of toy soldiers – all enhanced by beautiful projections, conjured up by the award-winning 59 Productions. And, of course, in front of all this the Company’s world-class dancers tell this most nostalgic of stories and bring the magic of Christmas to Birmingham Hippodrome once again. For more information, go to www.brb.org.uk CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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☆

www.armonico.org.uk Registered Charity No.1103159

Jenkins’ The Armed Man

Handel’s Messiah

November 10th, 7pm Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry 02476 524524 TICKETS: From £16.50

December 8th, 7.30pm. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, 02476 524524. Soloist: Countertenor Iestyn Davis.

TICKETS: From £15.

December 23rd, 7.30pm. Malvern Theatres, 01684 892277. TICKETS: From £25.

ARMONICO CONSORT & ORCHESTRA AC ACADEMY CHOIRS DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER MONKS

Come and Sing at Christmas with John Rutter FESTIVE VOCAL WORKSHOPS

December 18th, 2-5.30pm Coventry Cathedral 01926 334418 TICKETS: £16.50

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER MONKS

Carols by Candlelight ARMONICO CONSORT DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER MONKS

December 20th, 7.30pm The Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick. This performance has been generously supported by David Phillips & Phillips and Becker Accountants Ltd.

01926 334418 TICKETS: From £15.50

F. Scarlatti & J.S. Bach ARMONICO CONSORT DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER MONKS SOLO VIOLIN: RACHEL PODGER

January 29th, 7.30pm. Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, 01926 334418. This performance has been generously supported by David Phillips & Phillips and Becker Accountants Ltd. TICKETS: From £13.50 February 5th, 7.30pm. Malvern Theatres, 01684 892277.

TICKETS: From £28.

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WHAT’S ON

Sunday 21st Leamington Christmas Markets Sun, Nov 21, Nov 28 and Dec 5 AT 10-5pm.

The Royal Leamington Spa’s Christmas Market is a must-visit destination for all those wishing to experience a traditional Christmas.

Join us to get your Festive preparations off to a cracking start! Within the stunning surroundings of the historic Regency architecture and under the twinkling Christmas lights, you’ll find over 60 attractive stalls brimming with goodies, unusual gifts, stocking fillers, decorations and artisan food and drink.

Thursday 25th Warwick Victorian Evening Market Place, Warwick, CV34 4SA Warwick’s popular Victorian Evening is back! Join them for a Victorian market from 12pm in the Market Square followed by the themed rides and fun starting at 5pm. Time: 12-7.30pm. Cost: Free. The lights will be switched on at 7pm.

Friday 26th Kenilworth Warwick Road Christmas Lights Switch On Warwick Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1QG Time: 4-8pm. Christmas returns to Kenilworth! Join us on Warwick Road in Kenilworth for stalls, rides, food and festive celebrations! Cost: Free.

Lights will be switched on at 6pm.

Warwick Castle Ghost Hunt Castle Lane, Warwick, CV34 4QU Warwick Castle dates back to 1068. This impressive castle makes for a CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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WHAT’S ON fantastic ghost hunting location, whether you are new to ghost hunts or a seasoned investigator. You will get to explore many rooms such as the dungeons, old gaol, undercroft, tower basements and more.

The castle has a long history and has seen much murder and torture.

Can you brave a night of ghost hunting at Warwick Castle with Haunted Houses Events? Will you cope walking through the castle in the dead of night? Maybe you will encounter the ghost that caused a builder to flee the castle in terror. Whatever happens you can be sure of a warm welcome and friendly hosts that will stay with you during your vigils so you can get to know them and feel more at ease during your evening of ghost hunting. www.haunted-houses.co.uk/event/ warwick-castle-ghost-hunt-friday-26th-november-2021 Price: £75 per person. The event runs 9pm-3am.

Friday 26th Alan Carr at Warwick Arts Centre Alan’s back on tour! Alan’s back on the road with a brand-new stand-up show ‘Regional Trinket’. From the exhilarating high of his star-studded wedding day to the low of lockdown stuck on a farm, a lot has changed since Alan’s last tour four years ago, including Alan.

Nowadays, it’s all about finding happiness and joy in the small things - why be a national treasure when you can be a Regional Trinket?!The event starts at 8pm. To book tickets go to www.warwickartscentre.co.uk.

Friday 26th - December 23rd Christmas Party World 2021 Over the past 8 years Christmas Party World at The NEC has become the go-to destination for the ultimate Christmas party experience. Join us with friends, family or colleagues for an incredible evening you won’t forget.

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WHAT’S ON For Christmas 2021, we present the ‘Rio Carnival’... welcoming the bustling city of Rio de Janerio; Brazil’s most iconic party destination, accompanied by a delicious festive dinner, disco and dance. A night of high-octane entertainment, delicious food and drink, all set within the beautifully themed venue. Perfect for a company Christmas party or a special night out with friends. Tables of 8 and upwards. Visit www.thenec.co.uk now and reserve tickets for 10 days without obligation and with our 100% refund guarantee.

Saturday 27th Stratford Town Fun Quiz Trail Join in a very enjoyable quiz trail walk past timber-framed mediaeval buildings, Shakespeare’s Homes, RSC Theatres, the Avon Riverbank leading to Trinity Church, plus lots more. look for clues to answer a mix of historical, observational and a couple of fun questions around Stratford Town Centre with a little competitiveness thrown in the mix.

After a short introduction from your Trivia Trail Host, teams of up to six set off from The Mercure Shakespeare hotel for 90 minutes of screen-free time, returning for scoring and prizes for the winning team members. Perfect for entertaining visitors, families, friends, schools, team-building, hen parties and birthdays. Adults £12.50, Child aged 9-16 £5, Child 8 and under free. Buggy, dog and wheelchair friendly.

Call/text 0771 8574544, email jane@jrpromotions.biz to book or visit www.jrpromotions.biz/#triviatrails

DECEMBER CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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WHAT’S ON

Saturday 4th Motown Trio ‘The Dreamettes’ at Nailcote Hall Nailcote Hall - Hotel, Golf & Country Club A Stunning Trio of Ladies in full Motown Glamour Singing and Dancing to original choreographed routines. Guaranteed to fill the dance floor with all your favourite Motown hits including The Supremes, Martha and The Vandellas, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. The Dreamettes perform live at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire on Sat 4th Dec 2021. Call 02476 466 174 or visit their website at www.nailcotehall.co.uk

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th Stratford Playhouse Santa Show Join Santa’s elves Jingle and Belle With another tale they’d like to tell of a Christmas spirit that flew away And help them both to save the day. Join Jingle & Belle for a special adventure and meet Santa ! ideal as a pre-Christmas treat. Every child receives a free Christmas present from Santa Total running time 45 minutes (approx) plus meet and greet with Santa. To buy tickets, go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/ stratfordplayhouse2/the-santa. Times are as follows; 4th 3pm, 5th 11am and 1pm.

Ride experience returns to Coventry Transport Museum this year!

Wander through a magical winter wonderland of festive activities and snowy scenes before taking a ride on an enchanting vintage sleigh, pulled by two trusty reindeer. Your next stop? Lapland. Meet Santa, tell him your Christmas wishes and collect a special gift. Vintage Sleigh Ride and Winter Wonderland Ticket Prices: Child (with gift & 2 accompanying adults) £10; Additional Adults (accompanying a child’s visit) £2; Individual Adult (no gift, includes museum admission) £5.

Book your tickets now!The Vintage Sleigh Ride and Winter Wonderland includes museum admission tickets for the day of your visit. Please arrive on time - visitors will be allocated their Sleigh Ride and Santa visit within the pre-booked one hour slot. There are no gifts for adult riders of the sleigh. FREE for under 1s who do not require a gift when accompanying a paid visit. Schools or community groups and must pre-book via info@culturecoventry.com or call 024 7623 4270. SEN Sessions available on Tuesday, 7 December & Wednesday 15 December - please pre-book via info@culturecoventry.com or call 024 7623 4270. n PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES FOR INFORMATION REGARDING COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS.

Saturday 4th - 23rd Vintage Sleigh Ride This Christmas make family memories to cherish! The Vintage Sleigh

Warwickshire

Now

To book into the December/January issue of Warwickshire Now, contact:

Kate Gilmartin

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

01905 727904

n 38 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 58 |November 2021

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

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