Warwickshire Now - APRIL 2022 by PW Media & Publishing Ltd

Warwickshire

Now

Sixth Form at King's High ISA Senior School of the Year See page 30 & 31 for more information

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FURNITURE HAIR TIPS FOR SPRING 2022 APPROACHING RETIREMENT APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 62 t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 1 n

NEWS • HOMES • GARDENS • HEALTH & BEAUTY • GOLDEN YEARS • PUZZLES • WHAT’S ON

n 2 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

Warwickshire

Now

12 APRIL 2022 HOME & GARDEN 08

Choosing the Right Furniture

How Long Should it Last?

Getting Summer Ready

HEALTH & BEAUTY 20

20 22

Mavericks Hair Tips For Spring 2022

GOLDEN YEARS 22

Approaching Retirement

Luxury Goods in High Demand

EDUCATION 28

Young Children Not Reaching Learning Expectations Due to Lockdowns

Sixth Form at King’s High: ISA Senior School of the Year

WHAT’S ON

Puzzles

What’s On

Leamington Music Festival Returns!

WARWICKSHIRE

NOW 01905 723011

nowmagazines.co.uk PW Media & Publishing Ltd

EDITOR

ADVERTISING

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

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

DESIGN

Rachel Seabright 01905 727900 rachel@pw-media.co.uk

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS British Motor Museum Care UK

FHIO GreenThumb John Sankey Juniper Education King’s High, Warwick Kingfisher Centre Kinghams Auctioneers Leamington Music Festival Mavericks Hair & Beauty MollyOllys Myton Hospice

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 Worcestershire Now magazine t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 3 n your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

WARWICKSHIRE CHARITY CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF SUPPORTING MORE THAN 16,000 CHILDREN ACROSS THE UK

“Molly was the reason I started the Charity... when she died, I just knew I needed to help other children like her. Knowing we have made the dark days brighter for more than 16,000 young people is what drives me and the Charity forwards.” Rachel Ollerenshaw and her husband, Tim set up Molly Ollys not long after their daughter, Molly died from a rare kidney cancer. Ten years ago this month, the Charity was officially registered and for such a small charity of only three staff and eight regular volunteers, it certainly punches above its weight. The Charity emotionally supports children between 0 and 18 who have life-threatening illnesses. It does that through its Olly The Brave therapeutic soft toy and award-winning books, as well as donating wishes to children who are facing unimaginable challenges. To date, more than 16,000 children have been supported all over the UK; more than 13,000 Olly books and toys have reached children at over 70 hospitals and more than £3 million has been raised. One of the Charity’s proudest achievements has been funding a Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the past three years. After demonstrating the effectiveness of the role and significantly changing the experience for all those who have benefitted from the service, it is now being funded centrally by the NHS.

Rachel explains with pride; “Whilst working with Birmingham Children’s Hospital on the Magnolia House project, we learnt that there was no Consultant in paediatric Palliative medicine for the area…the position just did not exist. There are only approximately 20 in the whole of the UK. We live in Warwickshire where there is one and so we knew the benefits and importance when we nursed Molly at home. We decided we would raise the funds and directly pay for a Palliative Consultant for Birmingham to help provide the best care for children with palliative care needs. It is fabulous to see what a real difference this role has made and is making to children’s lives.“ Dr Yifan Liang is that consultant and she knows just how crucial her position is; “Families and n 4 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

clinicians are often anxious about a referral to the palliative care team because so often they worry that this is just about end of life. Whereas my role is about making it possible for children to have to have the best life that they can, rather than necessarily about how long their life is. A lot of my job is about making sure that the children are comfortable; that they have their symptoms controlled; that they have access to activities and how to help them make the most of life.”

cancer journey.

Through the success of this palliative post for patients, the hospital has taken on another palliative consultant and they have the opportunity to become a training hospital in the future, once they secure more funding.

Thanks to the Charity I could enjoy going out shopping and forget the worries and stress of cancer and feel like a normal teenager again.”

Magnolia House is another project that Molly Ollys supported that opened in February 2017. The Charity worked with health professionals at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to create and furnish Magnolia House at a cost of £45K. This has given the hospital a safe, non-clinical and comforting space where medical teams and families can have important discussions about diagnosis, treatment and end-of-life care. More than 2,500 wishes have also been granted all over the UK since the Charity began in 2012. Each wish the Charity donates is unique like each child and over the years, there have been many weird and wonderful wishes delivered. One teenage boy who was a big fan of police interceptors asked to be arrested by police as his wish and of course, the Charity made sure that happened. Rachel remembers it well; “This was certainly an unusual one but very special. We helped organise a 16th Birthday party for the boy and the police turned up at his party and arrested him in front of all his friends and family which he was delighted about.” One child the Charity recently supported with a wish was Ella Richards from Warwickshire who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma when she was 15. Ella faced a serious health battle, but after six months of chemo, she was given the all clear. Molly Ollys gifted her a £500 Bullring shopping voucher which she spent on fake eyelashes and eyebrow treatments after losing her hair, as well as a lovely bracelet which has 10 carefully chosen charms symbolising every step of her

Mum Melanie said: “Ella had the gift voucher at the time she was at her lowest and weakest, it gave her such a boost and such a focus. To be honest she would have really struggled without it, it brought light to a dark place.” Ella – now 17 - remembers the gift well: “Molly Ollys helped me through the chaos of my diagnosis and chemotherapy, their gift gave me something to really look forward to.

Supporting children and their families emotionally and financially is the key purpose of Molly Ollys and their strapline - which still rings true 10 years after it started - is ‘making the dark days brighter.’ Over the years, Olly The Brave soft toy lion has helped support thousands of children, normalising the effects of chemo and comforting them when they were afraid. Olly has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane with different coloured manes to change Olly into. This helps children to feel ok when they lose their hair and if it grows back differently, they can put a fun one on Olly. Six-year-old Flo Stokes from Atherstone has high risk Neuroblastoma which is quick spreading and has a high rate of relapse. She’s undergoing intense chemotherapy treatment and Olly has helped her enormously. Her mum Hannah: “The concept of Olly The Brave is a really good idea, a really simple way to get it over to the children in a non-medical and comforting way. It’s a work of genius and the Charity deserves all the support it can get.” Flo’s family are trying to raise £250,000 to take her to America for a vaccine which they hope will save her life. To donate, please visit: www.gofundme.com/f/fundraising-for-flo?qid =17bf7f9654c46ef4b85b2335b7f104b2 n

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HERE & NOW

Popular ‘Land Rover Show’ returns for its eighth year at the British Motor Museum! obstacles to showcase the technology and

is a great two-day celebration of this iconic

capabilities of the Land Rover and Range

marque and a fantastic day out for all the

Rover models. There will also be the chance

family with displays, live music, parades, and

for visitors to ride in one of the new Defenders

club celebrations. Camping in the grounds

over the various obstacles.

is also available on the Friday and Saturday

Well-known

Land

Rover

journalist

and

specialist Emrys Kirby will host two workshop

evening for those wanting to make a weekend of it and enjoy the great atmosphere!”

talks on the Saturday about the Land Rover

Those looking for much sought-after spare

Stage Two Register vehicles. At the centre of

parts can browse for merchandise and vehicle

the show will be the Arena where Dave Barker

parts in the trade area. The Museum and

will lead an enthusiastic and knowledgeable

Collections Centre will also be open where

team,

and

visitors can view the wide range of Land Rovers

inviting owners, restorers, club members and

in the collection, including the original HUE 166

enthusiasts to share their stories.

which is the first Land Rover ever produced.

Visitors can also enjoy live music from The

Anyone wishing to enter their Land Rover into

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

the show can do so online for just £9. This

“Symphonic Six” who will be playing at the

includes entry to the show for the driver and

show for the first time as a small troupe on the

one for the weekend. Additional tickets are

Saturday. Whilst the popular singing trio ‘My

available to purchase if extra passengers are

providing

live

commentary

Favourite Things’ will be returning for another

required. Advance ticket prices are £14.50 per

The hugely popular Gaydon Land Rover Show returns for its eighth year on 7 & 8 May at the British Motor Museum. The dedicated weekend show will once again showcase hundreds of Land Rovers from 1948 to the present day and is one of the biggest days in the calendar for Land Rover fans and families.

year to perform on the Sunday.

adult, £9 per Child (5-16 years), Under 5 free,

Families will enjoy the ‘Mini Me’ kids trial with

Camping is just £10 per person for per night

mini vintage and modern Land Rovers touring

when booked in advance, with two children

around the show arena. Children are invited to

able to camp for free with a paying adult. n

Rover vehicles with all Miniatures welcome.

To find out more information about the show

The Jaguar Land Rover Experience will be returning to the show with their daunting

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British

Motor Museum stated “The Land Rover Show

on/gaydon-land-rover-show

come along and display their ‘Mini Me’ Land

£12.50 per Concession and £40 for a Family.

please call 01926 895300 or visit the website www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-

Discover all about Bees this Easter at Stratford Butterfly Farm!

Stratford Butterfly Farm is inviting visitors to discover all about Bees on Tuesday 19 April when Matthew Ingram, a beekeeper from Holt Hall Apiary, will be in the Discovery Zone with his bees. Holt Hall Apiary is a small independent bee farm in Staffordshire with over 140 hives. Visitors will be able to interact with and learn all about these wonderful pollinators.

During the Easter holidays from 9 – 24 April, the Butterfly Farm will be re-launching its popular Meet the Mini-Beast handling sessions and will be holding Beetle and Snake demonstrations in the Discovery Zone. Children and adults can take part in the sessions with the Education Team and hold creatures such as an African Land snail, Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, and a variety of Stick Insects. The Beetle demonstrations will also show visitors the complete life cycle of a beetle, whilst the snake demonstrations will allow visitors to have a close look at the resident Rhinoceros rat snake or Mexican n 6 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

black kingsnake and to find out all about these fascinating animals. Sessions will be available daily at either 11am to 1pm or 1pm to 3pm.

There will also be pupae preparation displays to enable visitors to learn about the journey of the pupae from the tropical rainforest to the Butterfly Farm. Visitors can talk to the Education Team and see how the pupae is prepared before it is placed on wooden rods within the Emerging Case.

stunning and colourful butterflies in our

tropical rainforest setting, discover all about bees and treat yourself to some of the delicious honey in our shop!” To guarantee entry during the Easter holidays it is recommended to book tickets in advance from the online booking system. The Butterfly Farm recommends reading the ‘Information’ section of the website to help plan a visit. Please note the handling sessions are not available

The Nature Inspired Giftshop has a wide range of fairtrade gifts and sells soft drinks, snacks, confectionary, and ice-creams. It also stocks the honey made at Holt Hall Apiary which comes in several flavours including lemon, cinnamon, heather, chocolate, ginger and cut honeycomb.

Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday,

Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager at Stratford Butterfly Farm said, “This Easter come and enjoy the relaxing pleasure of walking amongst some of the world’s most

except Christmas Day. For more information

and Easter Monday. For more details on timings, please visit the events page of the website. n To see hundreds of spectacular butterflies, insects, reptiles, and spiders visit the Butterfly Farm from 10am to 6:00pm, last entry 5:30pm. Open every day of the week including admission prices and group rates, please visit the website at www.butterflyfarm. co.uk or telephone on 01789 299288.

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Also find us at Gatteridge Street, Banbury, OX16 5DH or visit www.thekarpetkingdom.co.uk

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HOME & GARDEN

h t ing

g i eR

r u F t h

e r in tu

e. itur d. n r u e of f u start e E c PAG pie et yo HE T w R g ne OVE ED g a tips to n INU i T y N u dy CO en b e han h w r om side with s n o c d s to n han g n i o th is t of Now o l ea hire e ar rwicks r e a Th yW l i k Luc

s o o h C

n 8 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

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HOME & GARDEN

Start with shapes that you love, this may sound obvious but trust your own eye. Consider the room as a whole and think about what the main elements are, be practical, and ensure that you provide space for side tables and lamps (you need places to put your drinks and books), if you do this, you’ll have a good idea of how much space you can allot to your upholstery pieces. Consider the age and location of your property. Country homes and urban homes need different solutions. It’s how the pieces work together that counts, try to avoid three-piece suites, they create heavy blocks in a room, presenting everything on the same level and missing opportunities for something more interesting. Think about the leg heights, it might be good to have some pieces with longer legs as they tend to have a lighter visual impact. Also, consider that we are all different shapes and heights, so think about how you prefer to sit when you’re relaxing. If you like to have your legs up, then make sure the sofa seat is deep enough to accommodate this if it isn’t you might need a sofa with a chaise end or an ottoman. If you like to lie down on your sofa, make sure it is long enough for you to stretch out. Consider that some family members or friends may want to sit higher or lower, have head support, or read by the window, so it’s really useful to n 10 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

have some upright chairs or small sofas that can be pulled into play when needed. Always measure the space where your sofa is going to go carefully. It’s so disappointing to go through the process only to find that something doesn’t fit. Make sure you measure up your door frames and allow for any tight angles, radiators, banisters or other architectural impediments. Some sofa legs are removable to help deal with access issues. Choosing a sofa for your home is one of the most important furniture decisions. Make sure that it’s comfortable for you. Even cheap sofas cost a lot of money and frequently end up in landfills so it’s worth spending time to get your decision right. Ideally, your sofa will serve you for a long time before being passed on to future generations, so always buy the best that you can afford. Good sofas improve with age as the cushions soften with use. Regular plumping of seat and pillow cushions will improve their longevity. Once you’ve chosen the shapes you like, you’ll be ready to think about fabrics. Upholstery Fabrics The colours, patterns and textures you choose for your room can tell a story of understated luxury, playful exuberance, a formal or relaxed approach, and all stages in between. Fabrics create connections between the elements of a room, they don’t have to match so you

get to decide how loose or tight you like your associations to be. A mixture of textures in similar tones generally looks more formal, urban and calming, with further interest added by introducing an accent colour or texture that enhances a quality from a treasured painting, rug, or vase. Whilst a more relaxed mixed and mismatched assemblage of colour and pattern can evoke the comfortable, generational layering of the classic English country home. The way your fabrics are put together allows you to build your scheme and layer it to fit your story. Let practicality play its part; think about how you live and who uses the furniture, dogs, cats, and red wine spillers. Some fabrics have a stain repellent finish which will go some way to keeping things looking good. Pieces in hightraffic areas such as family or living rooms will need durable fabrics, while furniture treated to less wear and tear, such as a bedroom chair, can sport any type of textile. Fabrics are graded with a ‘rub count’, technically known as a Martindale Test. The higher the number the more durable the fabric. As a rule, 25,000 rubs is considered to be adequate for general domestic usage. Think about it as layering, be intuitive and have fun... it’s just like getting dressed but for your home. n www.johnsankey.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

How Long Should it Last? Can the predicted lifespan of furniture be calculated? What consequence does this have when retailers calculate partial refunds for items such as sofas, mattresses and soft furnishings that haven’t stood the test of time? are

Likewise, before making purchases, it’s crucial

typically ‘big ticket” items that

you ask the right questions to make sure the

come with the expectation

piece is suitable. In theory, this should ensure

that these goods are made to last. Once

you’re getting the right information to receive

you’ve found a piece that fits with your

the best service possible from your furniture

budget, space and aesthetic, you’d probably

for the longest possible time.

be reluctant to replace it any time soon. The

Technically speaking, higher quality furniture

introduction of the ‘Right to Repair Law’ in the

should outlive that which is of a lower quality,

UK last year, designed to combat ‘premature

however,

obsolescence’ of electrical goods by placing

regardless of the original quality.

Furniture

purchases

a duty on manufacturers to make spare parts available to consumers, marks an important step in the move towards a more sustainable approach to everyday products.

wear-and-tear

unavoidable

The rule of six The six years within which you can potentially enforce your consumer rights can be a useful benchmark, but it’s not an indication as to

One way of ensuring furniture longevity,

maximum durability since the law applies

is for retailers to supply accurate and

to a myriad of consumer products; from

comprehensive care guides to ensure that the

a Biro to a Bentley. So what’s the position

life of items can be prolonged if the correct

when a lower value item is sold which may

maintenance

not reasonably last for six years with normal

instructions

are

followed.

n 12 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

use, or when a big ticket item should last considerably longer? It’s important to look at the information available to enable you to make a purchasing decision and to consider what’s fair within specific circumstances. This is also subject to any guarantees offered by the retailer or manufacturer. If a mattress is sold with a ten-year guarantee, it’s surely reasonable to expect that with the appropriate care, it will last at least for a decade. What does the law say? The implied terms state that furniture should be of satisfactory quality which does include an element of durability. Therefore, furniture should be sufficiently heavy-duty enough for it to be fit for its intended purpose. The law also includes a reference to the price paid CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

are then available if the repair is impossible or can’t be carried out in a timely manner or without significant inconvenience to you. Of course, a price reduction would only be appropriate if the goods still function, but could be used to recognise an aesthetic issue, for example. This is important as in the first instance, at least your entitlement is for the issue with the furniture itself to be remedied and a physical repair may be considered as the most sustainable option.

which can also be taken into account. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 places an even greater emphasis on the information which is available and so care instructions and product specifications will be important evidence in assessing the potential lifespan of a product and how it should be maintained to ensure its expected longevity.

What happens if a known fault occurs prior to the six years? The consumer remedies are tiered such that, in the event of a fault, once the time for a short term right to reject has passed (30 days after delivery), you’d be entitled to a repair or replacement in the first instance. The second tier of remedies, a refund or price reduction,

AINS BARG W NO LE AB AVAIL

n 14 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

If a fault is found later down the line, the law allows the retailer to account for the number of years usage the consumer has enjoyed prior to this fault, this is known as a partial refund. This means that if a fault occurs and a repair or replacement has either already been attempted or cannot be undertaken, a partial refund may be the most appropriate remedy. It is worth noting that the refund cannot be apportioned within the first six months, but if an issue arises after that, usage can be recognised by the retailer making a financial deduction. For example, a sofa costing £600 which develops a fault when it’s three years old, and which can’t be repaired or replaced, could see a partial refund of £300. CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

How are partial refunds calculated? Some furniture can reasonably be expected to last more than six years during normal usage (for example by virtue of its price, quality or guarantee period), whereas some items can’t be expected to last even half this timeframe. For example, if it’s stated that a mattress should only last three years, then a partial refund would be calculated on this basis; on the other hand retailers need to be aware of setting unrealistic expectations when specifying a guarantee period which could also be used to calculate a partial refund. Ultimately, a practical view should be taken on these questions because there’s no set number of years each item should last, and each case is judged on its own merit.

However, the

product, information relating to it and any guarantees will play a role when calculating the lifetime of a product. Whilst it is important that consumers and retailers alike understand the remedies that are applicable to faulty products, choosing the right remedy to fit the circumstances is equally important. A retailer may feel it’s disproportionate to replace a faulty item after it has received four years’ usage, whereas a price

reduction is of limited value if the damage is such that the goods cannot be used for their intended purpose. Equally, consumers may be happy to receive more than one attempt at repair if it means a more sustainable approach to the application of their rights.

big ticket items, customers are offered an additional layer of protection and our members reinforce a commitment to manage complaints formally and at a level that is higher than what the law prescribes. “In addition, we support businesses and their

Kevin Grix, CEO and Chief Ombudsman, Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman said, “Our not-for-profit, government approved, voluntary Ombudsman scheme has been helping parties resolve disputes for more than a quarter of a century. When purchasing

customers in finding solutions when disputes occur without having to use the courts which can be costly and time-consuming, which in turn promotes fair trade and inspires consumer confidence.” n To find out more visit www.fhio.org

Warwickshire

Now

If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact our sales team.

n 16 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

Kate Gilmartin

Rachel Seabright

Tel: 01905 727904 Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727900 Email: rachel@pw-media.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

WITH THIS ADVERT* *T&CS APPLY

Evesham 01386 897 854 Freephone 0800 6965 468

AREAS WE COVER: STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, BIDFORD-ON-AVON, SHIPSON-ON-STOUR, @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 17 n HENLY-IN-ARDEN, ALCESTER, STUDLEY, LEAMINGTON SPA,t KENILWORTH, SOUTHAM AND WARWICK

HOME & GARDEN

Getting Summer Ready With warmer, longer days on the horizon, the beautiful bright colours of your garden are best enjoyed alongside a lush, green lawn. As the centrepiece of your garden, GreenThumb Lawn Treatment Service will ensure your lawn reaches its full potential as a weedfree, healthy, and well-loved lawn. Not only do we have over 35 years’ experience in caring for millions of lawns, but we also continue to pioneer innovative solutions in Lawn Care, boldly leading the way in our industry as the most recommended Lawn Treatment Service in every part of the UK. As summer approaches, it’s essential that you keep your lawn healthy and strong in preparation for the rising temperatures, increased humidity, and reduced rainfall; this is where our NutraGreen ‘Summer Ready’ Treatment can help. Our ‘Summer Ready’ Treatment is applied between April and June and features a fully coated fertiliser designed to give your lawn a timed release of nutrition over several months, feeding your grass and stimulating growth. This sophisticated treatment also includes a weed control to help eradicate weeds which are unwelcome in your lawn, keeping your lawn looking its best, ready for summer. An added benefit of our ‘Summer Ready’ Treatment is that you can also receive an application of our fantastic water conserver, Oasis. Now is the perfect time for an Oasis n 18 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

Treatment as it helps your soil to make the best use of any available moisture, meaning you’ll need to water up to 80% less. Our popular Oasis Treatment now features an innovative, highly concentrated seaweed extract which has proven to have an almost immediate visual effect on the colour of your lawn. This unique solution improves the quality of your grass, benefits root development and helps with stress tolerance; what’s not to love! At this time of year, we recommend implementing a regular mowing regime to help your lawn be the best it can be. Dry, sunny days are the best conditions for

mowing, however it’s important that your mower blades are kept sharp or replaced to avoid causing damage to the grass plant. It is also important, especially during the summer months, that your grass isn’t cut too short as this will weaken it, attracting unwanted weeds. When dry, we advise raising the height of your cut from 1” up to 2” and give it a good drink the day after mowing. Let’s create the lawn we both love. n Contact your local GreenThumb branch today! www.greenthumb.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Mavericks Hair Tips For Spring 2022 Spring is always a great time to revamp your style, and as we embrace a new spring wardrobe there’s nothing better than a fabulous hairstyle to set off the look! You don’t always need to have a massive change, sometimes the little tweaks are the best, it could be that new fringe you’ve been thinking about for a while or the face framing baby lights to lift and lighten and take you into spring and update your style. Though the real thing is how good it is to make a change and the great feeling you get from it, and the often empowering experience it brings. So it’s really up to you, how daring you want to be, wether its total restyle for a new you or a few hairstyle tweaks to update your look for a new season. Here are some of the looks you may like to try: BOUNCY, FACE-FRAMING LAYERS Here’s one of the looks that we are seeing on the trend radar for Spring / Summer 2022: a move towards face framing shorter layers that frame the face, often paired with 70’s style curtain fringes and bouncy blow dry’s that accentuate the layered look. On shorter to mid length styles we’ve seen over the last season the shag style which is a heavily layered cut which can give lots of body and this works great on the natural thickness and movement of the hair. That rock ‘n’ roll finish is going nowhere, for 2022 which is a good thing as it also continues the movement towards embracing our natural texture and bringing out the best in our curls. Long layers, which are essentially an extension of curtain bangs/fringes and shags( choppy layers), are also growing in popularity, with more and more asking for more dramatic layers around the face, with the shortest layer below the jawline. NATURAL CURLS AND TEXTURE This year, consider wearing your curls natural and loose, and maybe try a middle parting. Texture in all of its forms will dominate the hair world in 2022 ,the curly hair movement in particular, is growing and growing. We are seeing more of these looks on television showing more Black presenters, hosts, and stars wearing their hair in it’s natural texture. If you’ve been toying with the idea of styling your natural curls for a while, take this as your time to embrace the curl. Before you take the plunge, its important that you’ve got all the right products formulated specifically for curly hair in order to get the most out of your curls. If your unsure speak to your stylist for some n 20 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

styling tips and product recommendations for your type of natural curl.

and conditioner to neutralise any warmth with its cool violet and blue pigments.

The Bob The bob is going nowhere for this year, and will continue to dominate throughout 2022. The bob is classic and there’s lots of ways to wear it, anything from chin to collar length, with the iconic Alexa-style bob remaining at the forefront, but there are so many new variations changes in length, shape, volume and styling to look out for. The 2022 bob will be more exaggerated with more natural texture and for the brave a shorter fringe.

Face framing This has to be one of the most requested techniques at the moment. It focuses on the hairline and perimeter bordering the face. It’s usually created using a mix of different foiling techniques such as baby lights or back - to - back slices depending on the result you want to achieve. It can also be created using a freehand technique for softer, more natural looks. It’s a technique that suits all hair types and colours from an ashy blonde to warm blonde and even a deep, cool chocolate brown. The face frame can add a pop of colour around the front by choosing shades a couple of levels lighter than the overall result.

Blow Out Shine Even if you’re still not tempted by the glossy big blow dry, one way to tap into the luxe looking trend is with a polished finish to your hair, whatever your look. A professional blow dry is the ultimate way to achieve this polished, expensive-looking hair. But if you’re styling at home, seek out products and electrical’s that create that luxury salon finish for you.The big old school blow-dry is predicted to have a big come back this year, glossy, full bodied and glamorous, it’s very Adele inspired look The Mixie The mixie is a combination of a shorter version of the mullet, with a pixie haircut, It’s effectively a short pixie, but all the edges are longer, which lends a much softer look. It can work on straight, wavy or curly hair. The mixie cut is easily wearable for every day, the key to this cut is to ensure it’s full of texture, work a styling pomade or wax into the roots for an angled and edgy! Here are some explanations of the most popular colouring techniques Balayage This freehand painting technique is used to create beautiful graduated, natural, soft blended results. It can be used on all hair types and colours. Perfect for when you want a low maintenance and natural look, but also want some contrast through the colours. Balayage is a free hand personalised colouring service, so every colour is unique to you, it will take longer than some other techniques, as this is very technical service & each colour is personalised. Often a toner is needed and its recommended for home use to keep the colour looking fresh, to use a silver shampoo

Baby-lights Baby lights is a very fine subtle highlight used to create a soft, super-blended result. These small sections will usually lift to a clean white blonde so different volumes or tones can be used to achieve the result you want. Baby lights are popular in areas such as the hairline, natural partings or in general overall to give a result that looks like it has just been lightened from the sun. These Hi-lights can be used on all hair types, but are popular in fine hair as it grows out softer and leaves no heavy line of demarcation. If your thinking of having a change always ask the advise of your stylist who can recommend what styles will suit your face shape and hair type. It does really help us when you bring some images of styles and colours you like, it helps the stylist understand your expectations and they can work with you to achieve the results needed, and yes sometimes it does take a few appointments to realistically get to the end goal. Make sure you get some home care styling tips of your stylist, so you know you have the right products and equipment to recreate your look at home. n Mavericks Hair and Beauty Priory Road, Alcester, B49 5DY Tel: 01789 766222 Tel: 01789 766333 www.maverickshair.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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GOLDEN YEARS

Approaching Retirement There are many things to consider as you approach retirement. It’s good to start by reviewing your finances to ensure your future income will allow you to enjoy the lifestyle you want. You should also consider how you’ll stay active and social after you leave work. Age UK can help you prepare and support you through the retirement process. The new State Pension In 2016 there were several changes made to the State Pension. What is the new State Pension? The new State Pension is a regular payment from Government that most people can claim in later life. You can claim the new State Pension at State Pension age if you have at least 10 years National Insurance contributions and are: • a man born on or after 6 April 1951 • a woman born on or after 6 April 1953 Can I claim my State Pension and keep working? Yes, you can. However, here are some things you should bear in mind: • Any money you earn won’t affect your State Pension, but it may affect your entitlement to other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. • Be aware that State Pension is taxable, so when added to your earnings it may put n 22 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

you into a higher tax band. • When you reach State Pension age, you won’t have to pay National Insurance anymore, even if you keep on working. How much State Pension will I get? The full rate of the new State Pension will be £179.60 per week (in 2021/22) but what you will get could be more or less, depending on your National Insurance (NI) record. You can check your how much State Pension you could get on the government website or, you can request a paper statement if you prefer. How is my pension amount worked out? If you have already built-up NI contributions under the pre-2016 system, you’ll be given a ‘starting amount’. This will be whichever of the following that’s higher: • Either the amount you would have received under the pre-2016 system including basic and additional pension • Or the amount you would get if the new State Pension had been in place at the start of your working life. If you’re ‘starting amount’ is more than the full amount of the new State Pension (see above section), any amount over that level will be protected and paid on top of the

full amount when you start to claim the new State Pension. If your starting amount is less than the full amount of the new State Pension you may be able to build up a higher level of new State Pension through contributions and credits you make between 6 April 2016 and when you reach State Pension age. So, your State Pension amount will be the higher starting amount figure plus the value of any qualifying years you add from 6 April 2016 onwards, up to the full rate of the new State Pension. What happens if I was in a ‘contracted out’ scheme? When working out the ‘starting amount’ for your State Pension, a deduction will be made from both calculations if you were in a ‘contracted out’ personal or workplace pension scheme – for example, if you have been a member of a public sector pension. The deduction is made because in this case normally you will have paid NI contributions at a lower rate because you were paying into a contracted-out pension or some of your NI CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

GOLDEN YEARS

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GOLDEN YEARS

contributions were paid towards your private pension instead of additional State Pension. What happens if I made no NI contributions before 6 April 2016? Your State Pension is calculated entirely under new State Pension rules. You must usually have at least 10 qualifying years in your NI record to get the new State Pension. Your new State Pension is more likely to be calculated in this way if you’re born after the year 2000 or became a resident of the UK after 2015. If you have: • 35 years or more of NI contributions, you will get the full amount • between 10 and 34 years of contributions, you will receive a proportion of the pension • less than 10 years of NI contributions, you aren’t usually eligible for the new State Pension. Can I use my partner’s contributions? The State Pension is based on your own contributions and in general you will not be able to claim on your spouse or civil partner’s contributions at retirement or if you are widowed or divorced. However, if you’re

n 24 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

widowed you may be able to inherit part of your partner’s additional State Pension already built up. If you are a woman who paid the reduced rate ‘married woman’s contributions’, you may be able to use these contributions towards the State Pension. Can I increase my State Pension? If you’re not on course to get a full State Pension, there may be some things you can do to help boost your pension. You don’t have to claim your State Pension when you reach State Pension age. This is known as deferring, and could mean that you get extra State Pension when you do claim. How much extra you get will depend on how long you defer claiming it. The State Pension increases by 1% for every 9 weeks you put off claiming it, or around 5.8% for each full year. This may not apply to you if you get certain benefits. If you’re a carer and don’t work, this could affect your NI record and impact your State Pension amount. If you care for someone at least 20 hours per week, you could get Carer’s Credit to help maintain your NI record.

If you get Carer’s Allowance, you automatically receive Carer’s Credit. If you aren’t eligible for Carer’s Allowance you could still get Carer’s Credit. If you live abroad or used to, you may have a gap in your NI record which could affect the amount of State Pension you’ll get. You may be able to get a pension from the country you live/ lived in. Contact the department responsible for State Pensions in that country. If the country is in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, then the DWP may be able to help you contact them. If you reach State Pension age after 6 April 2016, you might be able to use the time you worked abroad to make up some of the qualifying years that you need to get the new State Pension. This depends on the country you lived in though. If you have gaps in your NI record If you have gaps in your record and want to boost your State Pension, you could make voluntary NI contributions. How much these are and if you are eligible will depend on your individual circumstances. n

GOLDEN YEARS

Luxury Goods in High Demand Cotswold auctioneers Kinghams reported record breaking results from their newly combined Jewellery, Watches & Designer Goods auction held on Friday 18th February. The highly anticipated event

for £22,968*, a Rolex Submariner ref. 5513

surpassed all expectations and

bracelet watch, estimate of £6,000-8,000 sold

has created a buzz around the

for £11,484* and a Hermès 1999 Chèvre de

auction house. Resident jewellery and watch

Coromandel Constance handbag, estimate of

specialist David Pregun, who manned the

£1,200-£2,000 sold for £4,083.20*

rostrum comments.

Support and feedback following the sale has

‘The sale was a huge success and looks set to

been unanimously positive with many marking

go from strength to strength. The addition of

their calendars and eagerly counting down

designer goods to the existing sale diversifies

the days until the next Jewellery, Watches

the client base and adds a new element to this

and Designer Goods event. Items already

luxury sale’.

consigned include Patek Philippe watches and

Sophie Higgs, Kinghams’ newly appointed

luxury branded handbags.

designer goods specialist, was thrilled with the

Kinghams are now inviting consignments for their

results too. She remarks.

next specialist auction on 17th June. For free

‘I couldn’t be happier. It was a lot of hard work but I’m so pleased that it all paid off.”

and offered something for everyone. Highlights include an Art Deco aquamarine and diamond estimate

£3,000-5,000

of your jewellery, silver, watches or designer goods to enquiries@kinghamsauctioneers.com,

The 430-lot sale was split into three sections,

pendant,

and confidential valuations, please email details

sold

phone 01608 695695 or come along to the free valuation days held every Tuesday 10am-4pm at the Moreton-In-Marsh auction centre. n *final values are inclusive of the 23% plus VAT Buyer’s Premium.

Warwickshire

Now

Loetz for Boudon & Klur, Art Nouveau Glass Vase. Sold for £3,200

10-12 Cotswold Business Village, London Road, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 0JQ 01608 695695 adrian@kinghamauctioneers.com www.kinghamsauctioneers.com

If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact our sales team. Kate Gilmartin

Rachel Seabright

Tel: 01905 727904 Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727900 Email: rachel@pw-media.co.uk

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GOLDEN YEARS

n 26 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

GOLDEN YEARS

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EDUCATION

Young Children Not Reaching Learning Expectations Due to Lockdowns Two years since schools closed to most pupils, younger children’s learning is showing no sign of recovery, according to one of the largest reports into the impact of the pandemic on primary school children. Children in Year 3 (aged 7- 8 years old) experienced a steeper drop in their learning during the Covid crisis than older primary school children, and the pandemic has delayed their recovery more severely. The Juniper Education National Dataset Report, March 2022 – The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on primary school children’s learning examines teacher assessment data from over half a million pupils representing more than 6,000 primary schools. It looks at the percentage of pupils achieving, or exceeding, what is expected for their age (age related expectations) for all pupils who were in primary school at the start of the pandemic – the current Years 3 through to 6. The report reveals that nearly one in three of all Year 3 children has not met age related expectations in reading, writing or maths compared with around just one in five before the pandemic, when these pupils were in Year 1. In autumn 2019, 82% of Year 3 pupils

n 28 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

achieved age related expectations in reading, 79% in writing and 83% in maths. Two years later these figures have dropped to 68%, 58% and 69% of pupils respectively. Recovery slowest in youngest pupils The report indicates that not only has younger children’s learning suffered the most during the pandemic, but it is also yet to show signs of recovery. The number of Year 3 pupils working at age related expectations has fallen progressively from pre-pandemic levels right through to autumn 2021. However, there are some early signs of recovery in the older year groups with a slight uplift in attainment during the autumn term. Year 6 reading attainment increased from 70% in summer 2021 to 73% in autumn 2021. Writing attainment rose from 60% in summer 2021 to 63% in autumn 2021, and maths went up from 67% to 70%. Of the three core primary subjects, writing suffered the most from the pandemic. All year groups in the study saw steeper drops in writing than in reading or maths. The biggest fall in writing attainment

was for Year 3, with only 58% of children where they should be for their age in writing compared with 79% prior to the pandemic. Inequalities growing between disadvantaged pupils and their peers The Covid crisis has exacerbated inequalities by widening the attainment gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their classmates. In autumn 2019, 68% of disadvantaged children (those who qualified for Pupil Premium) met age related expectations in maths compared to 82% of their peers – a 14-point gap. By autumn 2021, only 55% of disadvantaged children were reaching expectations for their age in maths, a gaping 20 points behind their peers. Report author and former primary head, Stephan Nicholls, said: “While the report brings sobering news, there are glimmers of hope that older children are already taking the first steps towards recovery in their attainment.” n junipereducation.org/resource/downloads/ national-dataset-report/

EDUCATION

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EDUCATION

Sixth Form at King’s High:

ISA Senior School of the Year

King’s High Sixth Form is one of the most vibrant and innovative Sixth Forms in the country, in addition to being one of the most successful. We are rightly proud of our excellent educational provision, which extends from the outstanding academic and co-curricular programmes to the expert pastoral care we offer. We are privileged to be able to prepare each student for their life beyond school, which is why we place their personal journeys at the heart of all we do. We work in partnership with them to fulfil their ambitions; their journey is our journey. Whatever their aspirations, we are there, side by side with them. We are proud to be part of the Warwick Independent Schools Foundation and our dedicated, shared Sixth Form Centre with Warwick School is simply outstanding, with social space, a careers hub, private study areas, café and outdoor terrace. The Best of Both Worlds is a powerful educational vision for our pupils which combines the very highest standards of singlesex education in the classroom with extensive opportunities for girls and boys across the Foundation to collaborate and work together throughout their school journey. Our superb Friday Afternoon Activities Programme provides the opportunity for pupils n 30 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

in Year 10 and above to participate in a range of varied and valuable co-curricular, collaborative activities in a co-educational setting.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), has quadrupled, with 89.5% of students (2019) achieving an A* or A grade for their project.

Sport at King’s High is thriving with hugely successful teams at regional and national level, alongside broad engagement in a wide range of sports for all abilities. We were delighted to be ranked 13th nationally for sport among girls’ schools in the UK.

Whilst around three quarters of our cohort go for Russell Group universities, the 25% who do not are equally important to us. We are committed to supporting the pathways that are right for each individual.

At King’s High we pride ourselves on offering the very highest quality preparation for the myriad post-18 pathways of our students, whether that is an application to Oxbridge, Russell Group, Medicine and Overseas Universities, or to music and drama school, or apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships. Each year round 90% of our Upper Sixth cohorts go to their ‘firm choice’ destinations and, last year, 82% of our students took up places at prestigious Russell Group universities. At King’s High up to, and sometimes more than 10% of the cohort gain places at Oxbridge or go on to study Medicine at university. This year 14% of the cohort has applied for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and is awaiting offers. In addition, the number of students taking the highly regarded

We have strongly promoted degree apprenticeships and, each year, a number of pupils go on to prestigious places such as at The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, Deloitte, Santander and Barclays. Similarly, higher numbers of students are exploring ‘off-UCAS’ applications to international universities and to destinations such as The Oxford Aviation Academy, Birmingham Conservatoire, and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Named Senior School of the Year, 2021-2022, King’s High offers the very highest educational standards and the most exciting and inspiring opportunities within a caring and supportive environment that gets the very best from each and every student. n Dr Stephen Burley, Head Master, King’s High, Warwick

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Puzzles

SUDOKU - HARD

If you get stuck, the answers can be found on page 39 6 2

8 9 5

9 8

7 1 2

1 8

2 6 7

6 5

WORD SEARCH Find and cross out all the listed words. The words may go horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and backwards.

2 1

7 4

7 5

2 3

6 8

1 4

3 5

5 9

4 2

4 5

2 9

1 9

P M

G X

O D O O G

G W J

A G G

Z Q O A

B W L

N G N M M A L

BASKET

DUCKS

RELIGIOUS

U G

G A O O N B

BONNETS

EGGS

RISEN

H D

C U O

BUNNY

FUN

SPRING

R O C

CANDY

GOOD

SUNDAY

U D H

U G Q Q V O

CHILDREN

HAPPY

YELLOW

CHOCOLATE

JESUS

N O N

D G M C

CHURCH

PICTURES

C D

CROSS

PINK

N N O B

DECORATIONS

RABBIT

N N U

B N X

VEGAN SULPHATE FREE PARABEN FREE QUINOA PROTEIN SUNFLOWER OIL GLUTEN FREE nat32 | Warwickshire | Issue 62 | April 2022 Mavericks Hair Now & Beauty ORGANIC

“Time fnogre?” a Cha

S E

J T

N K

MAVERICKS HAIR AND BEAUTY PRIORY ROAD, ALCESTER, B49 5DY 01789 766222 • 01789 766333

WWW.MAVERICKSHAIR.CO.UK

Nicholas Owen

CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II 30th June 7.30pm, Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick Ticket prices: £13.50 | £17.50 | £23.50 | £34.50 Box Office: 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk

ARMONICO CONSORT & ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS NARRATOR | NICHOLAS OWEN THE CHOIRS OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF ST MARY, WARWICK To commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of the world’s longest reigning Monarch, Armonico Consort will recreate the highlights of the Coronation Service of Queen Elizabeth II in this unique concert performance. Narrated by former Royal Correspondent for ITV News and one of the best-known faces in news broadcasting, Nicholas Owen. Armonico Consort’s five-star Choir and Orchestra will revive one of the most epic days of the 20th Century. PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE: H. PARRY | I WAS GLAD • G.F. HANDEL | ZADOK THE PRIEST W. WALTON | CORONATION TE DEUM • R. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS | CREED (MASS IN G MINOR) • THE NATIONAL ANTHEM (ARR. JACOBS)

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

“Pure Pleasure” THE GUARDIAN

IIIII IIIII IIIII THE TIMES

THE INDEPENDENT

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

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EDUCATION What's On

What's On

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH be free. Old Major, the prize boar, calls the animals of Manor Farm together. He has had a strange dream of a better future. George Orwell’s world-famous fable tells the story of a revolution and its aftermath. Re-imagined by an award-winning creative team, Animal Farm is a dynamic, daring and contemporary take on a timeless story. Animal Farm is directed by Robert Icke, whose version of 1984 (co-adapted and directed with Duncan Macmillan) was a smash-hit in the West End and on Broadway. This brand new production features puppetry by Toby Olié (whose credits include War Horse, Running Wild and Goodnight Mister Tom) and is designed by four-time Olivier awardwinner Bunny Christie. The Children’s Theatre Partnership creates bold and imaginative theatre for young people, engaging new audiences and aiming to inspire a life-long love of theatre.

Wednesday 13th

APRIL

Wednesday 6th - Saturday 9th The Secret Garden The Dream Factory Tapping Way Warwick, CV34 6LE. This dark and imaginative adaptation follows sullen, lonely Mary Lennox across wild northern moors, creeping behind the locked doors of gothic Misselthwaite Manor to unearth hidden lives, lost loves and, of course, a secret garden.

Sunday 10th Liza Pulman - The Heart Of It Stratford Play House, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6LU. After wowing sell-out audiences with her highly acclaimed West End tour de force Liza Pulman Sings Streisand, Liza returns with her brand new show THE HEART OF IT. Once again in the company of her band, Liza rediscovers and reimagines timeless classics and lost gems that have no business being lost. Her funny, intelligent and emotional connection to a lyric and a melody goes straight to the heart of every song with a diverse and eclectic range of influences through Michel Legrand, Irving Berlin, Randy Newman, Judy Collins and a host of other iconic artists. The Heart Of It will feature songs from her forthcoming album and from her shows Liza Pulman Sings Streisand & The n 34 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

Songs of Hollywood. Sharing anecdotes rich in warmth and humour, Liza will have you laughing one minute and crying the next in an evening designed to both break your heart and make it sing. Liza is also one third of the hugely successful satirical comedy trio Fascinating Aida with whom she sells out theatres nationwide. Starts at 7:30pm. Regency 10k Newbold Comyn, Leamington Spa CV32 4EW. Challenge yourself this spring by taking part and raising money for local good causes. Entry from £18 Join around 2,5000 others on this 10km multi-terrain course, which takes you through the some of the best parks and gardens Royal Leamington Spa has to offer. Starting at Newbold Comyn, runners will finish at Mill Gardens. Over £350,000 has been raised to date since the event began in 2004. Proceeds are used to help local good causes such as the homeless, community youth groups and school projects. 09am-11am. www.regency10k.co.uk

Tuesday 12th - Saturday 16th Animal Farm Belgrade Theatre Coventry The animals of Manor Farm drive out the farmer and run the farm themselves. A revolution. And then what? Then freedom. Every animal will

Paint and Prosecco Leamington Spa Painting and Prosecco is on tour in Leamington Spa at HART + CO! Faye Kent Art and In The Nude Art invites you to sip and paint in Leamington Spa!. Unleash your creativity – glass in one hand, paint brush in the other. No experience needed! Your event at HART + CO will be themed around one of Maddie’s pieces, a beautiful nude lady. Your experience will include: All art supplies – including paint, brushes, canvas; Guidance from two practicing artists - but feel free to go off-piste!; A themed playlist to immerse you in your experience; Complementary drink on arrival, HART + CO bar will be open throughout the evening to purchase extra drinks!; Your canvas is yours to keep. Hang it with pride!

Friday 15th Foraging Course The Red Lion, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. We meet at the Red Lion, a welcoming pub alongside the River Leam. The course starts there with a short introduction on what to look for and a brief of the Countryside Act. Then we’ll set off on a roughly 2.5 hour walk around the village, teaching you how to identify the different plants, flowers, fruits and mushrooms that we find. We’ll stop along the way for some seasonal homemade refreshments such CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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What's On as our lovely hogweed and wild garlic soup, elderflower champagne or fruit leathers. Then it’s back to the pub for a tasty wild food lunch based on what we have found and some preprepared homemade treats. After the course, we will email you a list of everything we talk about on the day to help you to remember what you have learnt. www.wildfooduk.com/ foraging-trips/warwickshire-leamington-spaforaging-courses/

Monday 18th Waterside UpMarket Bridge Street Stratford-upon-avon CV37 6AB. Looking for somewhere to visit this Bank Holiday Monday? The Waterside Upmarket in Stratford upon Avon boasts a trendy street food court and over 70 fabulous stalls with top quality clothing, jewellery, gifts, retro, vintage, crafts and essentials and much more! Take advantage of everything Stratford upon Avon has to offer. Enjoy the high street names, support the independents and book to dine in a wide range of cafes, pubs and restaurants! A Picnic on the river, bring the dog & explore true British history. 10am-5pm. www.lsdpromotions.com

Tuesday 19th - Thursday 21st The Resonate Festival To celebrate Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture, the University of Warwick – a principal partner of City of Culture – is hosting The Resonate Festival. Celebrating the power of creativity, conversation and connection, The Resonate Festival launched in May 2021 and brought a 12-month programme of inspiring and interactive events (many free) for people of all ages across Coventry and Warwickshire to spark ideas, curiosity and

creativity. Resonate culminates in a grand finale – a three-day live festival on campus on the 19-21 April. For more information visit www.resonatefestival.co.uk/

Thursday 21st Lloyd Cole at The Assembly, Leamington Some albums coalesce around a title. Lloyd Cole’s new album is one such record. Guesswork mirrors the uncertainty of the world as you enter your third act. Guesswork is consistent with a record whose protagonists seem reluctant to venture confidently beyond the moment. In terms of minutes, it’s his longest, but in terms of songs, it’s shorter than any of his previous eleven solo albums (fourteen if you count those he made with The Commotions). Guesswork is also his shortest in terms of total words sung. This might come as a surprise to those who primarily remember Lloyd for the precocious literary pop dispatches of 1984’s Rattlesnakes, the debut album which earned him an unlikely place alongside Wham! and Duran Duran in the following year’s Smash Hits/Panini sticker book. £28.50

Thursday 28th Trivia Trails 90’ Fun Quiz Trail - Warwick After many long months, these quiz trails are now running again. Join in a fun 90’ quiz trail round historic Warwick town centre with family and friends looking for clues to answer a mix of historical, observational and fun questions. After a short introduction from your Trivia Trail host set off from the Globe gastro pub in teams of up to six, returning 90’ later for scoring and prizes for the winners. A great way to spend a couple of hours socialising and learning how this mediaeval town with it’s old gateways, majestic church and garden pathways evolved over the centuries - the castle, the Great Fire and lots more. History in a fun way during 90’ of screen-free time, with a little competitiveness thrown in! 13:30–16:00 Adult: £15.00, child aged 9-16: £5.00, child 8 and under: free. Dog, manual wheelchair & buggy friendly. Call/text 0771 8574544 or email jane@jrpromotions.biz to book. Further details on www.jrpromotions.biz

MAY Sunday 1st

Sunday 24th Covent Garden Quarter Markets Covent Garden Quarter, Warwick Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 5JX. At the Covent Garden Quarter markets, you get to meet the incredible creatives, creators, makers, designers, producers and bakers. Surrounded by some fantastic independent shops, cafes and bars, the Covent Garden Quarter markets are a popular monthly addition to the Royal Leamington Spa events calendar. 10am - 4pm Proudly in partnership with Warwick District Council. www.cjseventswarwickshire.co.uk/ events/55e032450de5a471/

Warwick Food Festival Come and join us for a celebration of the best in local food and drink. Not to be missed, it’s a day jam-packed with food, fun and frivolity, whilst we are keeping you safe in a COVID Secure Environment. There will be in the region of 100 amazing food & drink traders to explore, in the streets of Warwick. Cooking up an array of very tempting dishes from fish, meat, savoury & sweet, using the finest quality local produce for you all to try, along with bars & local produce traders. There will also be a timetable of live music throughout the day, for visitors to enjoy whilst tucking into delicious food.

The Myton Hospices sets the fundraising wheels in motion with its 40th anniversary Cycle Challenge The Myton Hospices will be celebrating 40 years since it opened

Myton is asking you to pick your distance, set your challenge and raise

Warwick Myton Hospice so the charity wants to make this year’s Cycle

as much money as you can in sponsorship for this great local cause.

Challenge more successful than ever before!

A new year means another bespoke Myton cycle jersey to add to your

With your help and support, they want to raise £45,000 from this event

collection! Those who commit to raise £100 or more will receive the

so they can continue to provide vital services free of charge to people

brand new 2022 Cycle Jersey for free and those raising £500 or more

living with terminal illnesses, and their families, now and in the future.

will receive the Jersey plus a Grey Myton Hoodie. The Jersey is also

The Myton Hospices is urging people to get into gear and set the

available to buy on the Myton website for £30.

fundraising wheels in motion for their 12th Cycle Challenge, taking

Back by popular demand on the 100k and 100-mile routes is the

place from Warwick Myton Hospice on Sunday 10th July.

Saintbury Hill timed hill climb where you can test yourself mentally

There are 50k, 100k and 100-mile routes to choose from, offering challenges to suit all capabilities, taking riders on a beautiful ride through the picturesque villages of Warwickshire and the Cotswolds. n 36 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

and physically to be in with the chance of being crowned the Myton Champion and win a unique Champions Jersey! n Find out more and sign up online at www.mytonhospice.org/cycle

QUALITY ART EXHIBITION AT

COCK HARBOUR GALLERY A HIDDEN GEM

May Bank Holiday Weekend 2022

Friday 29th April - 2pm-6pm Saturday 30th April - 10am-6pm Sunday 1st May - 10am-6pm Monday 2nd May - 10am-6pm Shinehill Lane, South Littleton, WR11 8TS Enquiries: 01386 640004 or 07890 094325

Artists include:

Anneka Reay, John Yardley RI, Caroline Bailey RSW, Maud Hogarth Clay and many other 20th & 21st Century Artists. Sculpture by Keith Evans

t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 37 n

What's On

Leamington Music Festival Returns! The 2022 Leamington Music Festival runs Thursday 28 April to Monday 2 May in Leamington Spa’s beautiful Royal Pump Rooms. The Festival celebrates 150 years since Ralph Vaughan Williams was born in October 1872, and features music by composers who taught and inspired him and composers whom he taught and inspired in turn. The 5-day programme has over a dozen works by Vaughan Williams, including his String Quartet No 1, On Wenlock Edge, The Lark Ascending and, using the larger space of All Saints Church, the Sinfonia of Birmingham will be conducted by CBSO Associate Conductor Michael Seal in The Wasps Overture, the Oboe Concerto, and Symphony No 5. An all-star line-up of singers James Gilchrist and Roderick Williams, oboist Nicholas Daniel and cellist Raphael Wallfisch, the Sacconi String Quartet, Leonore Piano Trio, Ensemble 360 and many others will delight in this full Festival feast. n

n 38 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

ANSWERS You’ve found the answers! The puzzles are on page 32

Tickets available at www.classicmotorevents.com or pay on the day

THE HARVESTER INN AN OUTSTANDING & RELAXED COUNTRYSIDE PUB

HARVESTER BEER FESTIVAL 29th April to 2nd May

12noon to 11pm 40 plus beers 25 ciders Pimms & Prosecco Bar Napton Water Buffalo Burgers & Ice Cream

30 GINS IN JUNE

Pick any five gins from our range of 30

receive a tray with the gins, ice, correct garnish for each gin & three bottles of mixer (tonic, light tonic or lemonade) Cost per tray £25 This event runs every day in June

n A variety of craft beers from independent brewers n Quality local food & drink n Open seven days a week n Three unique spaces & separate dining area n Wood fired pizza oven open everyday n Free Wifi n Dog friendly

Church Road, Long Itchington, Southam, CV47 9PE T: 01926 812698 @liharvester www.theharvesterinn.co.uk

t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 39 n

n 40 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 62 | April 2022

Warwickshire Now - APRIL 2022

Articles inside

Approaching Retirement

Mavericks Hair Tips For Spring 2022

Choosing the Right Furniture

Luxury Goods in High Demand

Sixth Form at King’s High ISA Senior School of the Year

Getting Summer Ready

Young Children Not Reaching Learning Expectations Due to Lockdowns