Warwickshire Now - October 2022

THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

This November, experience the incredible story of Carole King, one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of all time, at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry.

A brand-new production of the award-winning West End and Broadway show tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom. Before she was a chart-topping music legend, she was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent.

Follow her journey from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, as she went on to become one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation, with countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Take Good Care of My Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof, and The Locomotion. n

Tues 1 – Sat 5 Nov. Tickets can be booked now at www.belgrade.co.uk or by phoning the Box Office on 024 7655 3055 (phone lines open 10:30am – 2pm, Mon – Sat).

Stratford’s first ever fully electric accessible hire boat is launched on River Avon

The first ever fully electric wheelchair accessible hire boat has been launched on the River Avon in Warwickshire. The ‘Coulam V17 Wheelyboat’ will now enable wheelchair users of all ages and abilities to access and enjoy the waterway that runs through the heart of Shakespeare’s Stratford independently for the very first time.

Thanks to funding support from Stratford District Council and national charity The Wheelyboat Trust, Avon Boating is now able to provide Stratford’s first electric accessible boat - which is also the first self-operated accessible hire boat on the Avon - for both local disabled people, their friends and families to enjoy, as well as the many disabled tourists who visit each year. As well as being able to enjoy the River Avon as passengers, disabled users will also be able to drive the boat independently, if they wish, too, thanks to its drive-from-wheelchair helm. Thanks to

the boat’s Torqeedo Cruise 2 outboard, the boat runs very quietly and is also capable of a full day’s boating without needing to charge.

The new boat was officially launched on Tuesday 20th September by The Wheelyboat Trust’s Director Andy Beadsley who cut the ceremonial ribbon. Also in attendance was Cllr Chris Kettle, Jim Clarke (Business Mentor and Account Manager from Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub), Elizabeth Dixon (Disability Advisor from Accessible Stratford), Janine Ray (Council Licensing Officer for Stratford District Council) and boatbuilder Jim Coulam, who have all been instrumental in making this project come to fruition.

The V17 Wheelyboat is The Wheelyboat Trust’s most versatile Wheelyboat to date. They are suitable for use on inshore waters and with a 90hp outboard can reach a top speed of over 30mph. They are equally at home on inland

lakes, rivers and canals and are perfect for leisurely pleasure boating and whiling away a few hours on the water.

Every Wheelyboat has roll-on, roll-off access, an open and level cockpit, and their drivefrom-wheelchair helms enable anyone in a wheelchair not only to board the Wheelyboat easily and move around safely but drive it too. All Wheelyboats are handmade and fitted out to order by Jim Coulam of Coulam Boatbuilders Ltd in Lincolnshire. n

The Wheelyboat Trust relies on donations from individuals and organisations, and their work could not continue without the ongoing generosity they provide. To help get more disabled people out on UK waters, text WHEELYBOAT to 70085 to donate £5. To find out more, visit www.wheelyboats.org

Book a trip on the new Wheelyboat at: www.avon-boating.co.uk/product/wheelyboat

Charity celebrates 40 years of The Myton Hospices

This year The Myton Hospices is celebrating its 40th birthday and wants to share some of the highlights of the last four decades with you –after all none of their work would be possible without the support of people like you.

Warwick Myton Hospice opened its doors in September 1982 and since then Myton has cared for over 20,000 people across Coventry and Warwickshire. They have the only Hospice Inpatient Units in the region, as well as a range of outpatient and community services.

The number of patients and families they have supported has continued to grow over the years, as have the range of services that they offer.

40 years on Myton continues to provide the very best in palliative and end of life care for people living with terminal illnesses, and their families, in Coventry and Warwickshire.

By supporting Myton you help to ensure that they can continue to provide their vital services free of charge, now and in the future.

Here are just a few of the key milestones of the last 40 years:

1982 Myton Hamlet Hospice opens its doors to its first patients and was officially opened by Princess Michael of Kent

1986 Princess Diana visits the hospice and is

shown around by Dr Henderson; one of the first doctors to work at Myton

2002 Rugby Myton Hospice, on the grounds of St Cross Hospital, is opened by Ann Duchess of Norfolk OBE

2009 Coventry Myton Hospice opens its doors to its first patients after raising £7 million to fund the new facility

2014 Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White officially opened the relative’s accommodation at Warwick Myton Hospice

2017 The new Coffee Shop at Coventry Myton Hospice was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Lindsley Harvard and is run by volunteers

2020 The Covid-19 pandemic saw Myton work with the NHS to temporarily hand over Warwick Myton Hospice to South Warwickshire Foundation Trust and offer a number of services remotely

2022 Rugby Myton Support Hub opened to offer support to anyone aged 18 years and over who is living with or caring for someone with a life limiting illness

As Myton looks to the future they want to ensure that everyone who needs their services is able to access them and they want to reach out to people earlier in their illness, to be alongside them from diagnosis to death.

Ruth Freeman, CEO of The Myton Hospices said: “Myton is not only about end of life care, often people who have a terminal illness have a lot of living left to do and we want to support them to have the best possible quality of life, for as long as possible. When the time comes we believe people have the right to a good, natural death, either in one of our Inpatient beds or in their own home, with their loved ones supported.”

“Less than 20% of our funding comes from the NHS and this year alone we need to raise £9.1 million. To achieve this we rely on your generosity and we hope you don’t mind us asking for your ongoing support.”

“We would like to invite you to join our special friends and supporter’s scheme called ‘My Myton’ and give £5 or £10 per month. When you join you will receive a red Myton hanging butterfly, a special thank you card and a quarterly newsletter by email.”

Regular donations safeguard the future of the hospice so if you are able to please sign up by visiting www.mytonhospice.org/mymyton or by calling the Donor and Supporter Care Team on 01926 358383.

If you would like to share your memories and experiences of Myton you can email marketing@mytonhospice.org or share them on social media by tagging @MytonHospices and using #Myton40. n

A wood burning stove is an ideal option for those looking to heat their home this winter.

Using a new Ecodesign model of stove reduces particle emissions while ensuring high efficiencies, easy and controllable operation with a superior flame picture. This is in addition to the carbon-neutral benefits of wood burning as we seek to control and reduce global CO2 levels.

Below are some hints and tips for choosing a wood or multi fuel stove this winter.

Wood Vs Multi Fuel

Wood burning stoves combust fuel using oxygen from above and burn on their own bed of ash on a flat base with no ash pan. Multi fuel stoves combust fuel using oxygen from below and burn on a grate that allow the air to get underneath the smokeless coal and allows the ash to fall into an ash pan at the bottom. Depending on the grate design a lot of wood burners will usually combust wood more efficiently than that of a multi fuel stove.

Fuel Choices

Wood should be seasoned to under 20% for burning on a stove. Wood should be clean and free from paints and preservatives. Look for the Ready to burn logo when purchasing your wood. Ready to burn is a DEFRA certification scheme that came into force in 2020 for regulating the sale of wood to ensure wood is not too wet to burn. This has been an excellent step in the right direction for cutting down on pollutions from the burning of wet wood.

Smokeless zones

Many areas are classed as a smokeless zone. By purchasing a DEFRA approved model of stove, you are able to burn wood in a smokeless zone. These stoves complete the combustion process and ensures minimal wood smoke is emitted from the chimney.

Sizing your stove

It is important not to rush out and buy the biggest stove you can find. Customers enjoy the larger windows available on most modern stoves. You want to be able to heat the room efficiently but also burn the stove at its optimum running temperature. The general rule of thumb is to purchase a slightly smaller stove and run it hotter than a bigger stove and run it too cold. A stove too big for the room will overheat the room and as a result homeowners will turn them down too much to compensate. They then begin to incomplete the combustion process, tar the glass and the flue and create more smoke. Always seek

advice from a professional registered installer prior to purchasing your stove.

Manufacturers

There are many brands of wood burning stoves on the market. Where possible it is nice to support British manufacturing and as a country, we do make some very good stoves! There are lots of British manufactured stoves from the likes of Charnwood, Chilli Penguin, Woodwarm, Clock Woodburners to name but a few. A stove is a big purchase and from experience it is always best to avoid the cheaper end of the market. Parts are not readily available and the backup and aftercare from bigger manufacturers is simply not there. A stove purchase is an investment and it is worth getting the right stove for your property and lifestyle.

What to do if you have no chimney?

Whilst a lot of properties have a chimney that can be used for a stove installation a lot of properties do not. There is an option of an insulated flue system which in effect

creates a chimney using an insulated pipe that you will usually find up the side of a house or through an extension roof. This works in the same way as a brick chimney but allows stoves to be fitted in various places from newer build properties, extensions and even garden out buildings.

Installation advice

It is important to seek an installer that is part of a competent person’s scheme for installing solid fuel appliances. The most industry recognised scheme is HETAS. A stove can be a dangerous appliance when not installed correctly. Always seek a registered person to offer advice and guidance and to install your currently to building regulations Doc J. A registered installer will provide a certificate of compliance similar to that as you would get with a new boiler or a new window installation. This is to be presented to future purchasers of your property when you come to sell. n

How to Spot a Cowboy Builder

Upgrading your home is both an exciting and nerve-racking process.

You have decided what areas need improving, spend time planning your refurbishments, and you might even have a specific image in your head of what you want the end result to look like. However, there is often the fear that, for whatever reason, the outcome will not live up to your expectations. Frequent stories about contractors leaving homeowners with unfinished work or disastrous renovations do not help and can even put people off undertaking a project in the first place.

According to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the UK economy misses out on £10bn every year because homeowners are afraid of hiring the wrong contractors. To avoid disappointment, they would rather not commission building work at all.

Therefore, we explore some tips that will help make sure you choose the right people from the outset. By knowing what to bear in mind when it comes to deciding who you want to carry out any work, you can enjoy your home restorations with peace of mind.

Do your research

First things first, looking up the company you intend to hire on the internet is always a wise choice. The online world has the answer to many of our questions, and it can help you understand whether a contractor is

the right tradesperson for the job. Websites such as Trustpilot and Google are an excellent starting point because they feature independent reviews, so you can read about the experiences of previous customers, to verify whether your chosen contractor has a good track record, or not. You should also ask for a written quote. If it seems very cheap, there is a chance you’ll face hidden extras further down the line and that the quality of work will not be up to standard.

If you realise that the builder has no registered business address, no landline telephone or contact number, or is unknown in the area, alarm bells should start ringing. No contact details mean that you will not be able to reach out for help during – or after – the refurbishments.

Examples of previous projects

Looking at a builder’s previous work can be a good indication of the quality you will receive. Reliable professionals will always be happy to show you examples of successful projects, and it will demonstrate the kind of work they are used to undertaking, as well as giving you ideas for your own build.

They won’t sign a contract

Another red flag you should look out for is if your chosen builder is not prepared to sign a contract. Putting things on paper

is fundamental when it comes to building work, as it means the specification, costs and sometimes timeframes can be agreed by both parties. A legally-binding contract means you, and the contractor, have clearly detailed the work that is included in your project and avoids any misunderstandings once work commences. With no contract or paperwork in place, you will have nothing to fall back on.

They only accept cash payment

If a builder insists on cash payment and wants the money upfront, think twice before you hire them. While staged payments are commonplace to cover the cost of materials as and when you use them, paying cash upfront is not. A trustworthy contractor will not ask to be paid in cash first.

Refurbishing and updating your home involves an array of important decisions. One of the most prominent ones is to find and pick a contractor you can rely on. There are many red flags you should look out for, from a lack of online presence and positive customer reviews or inclusion of a formal contract to the request of upfront cash payment.

By doing your research, you can prevent unpleasant surprises and carry out your home renovations with confidence. n

Chinese Vase sells for Record £38,000 in The Cotswolds

Summer Fine Art Auction Review

A badly damaged vase, a flock of Victorian pottery birds and Louis Wain memorabilia were just some of the highlights in Kinghams Cotswolds summer Fine & Decorative Arts auction held over two days on 29th & 30th July.

The top selling Lot in the auction was Lot 450, a Chinese vase which had sustained substantial damage over time. Measuring just 25.5cm high, it was of shouldered form with twin handles, moulded tassels and the body decorated in famille rose palette with boys at play and in procession. Bearing the Shende Tang Shi mark in iron red, (Hall of Prudent Virtue) and dating from the Daoguang period, (1821-1850) it had been brought into a Moreton-in Marsh valuation day by a private client who had inherited it. At some point it had been completely smashed and had old repairs and restorations. With the ongoing strength in the market for Chinese porcelain, the damage did not deter a raft of pre-sale enquiries from China with five telephone bids booked and numerous online bidders registered. It was soon apparent it would sail past the £800-1,200 pre-sale estimate to bring a record £38,000, the buyer being a UK based Chinese collector.

Elsewhere in the auction, two late Victorian art pottery birds, Lots 642 and 643 by Robert Wallace Martin sold for £28,000 and £24,000 respectively and were purchased by an overseas enthusiast.

Success in the decorative arts section included Lot 395, a Loetz for Boudon & Klar Secessionist papillon iridescent glass vase with whiplash metal mounts. It exceeded £2,000-3,000 expectations to bring £3,600 from a UK private collector.

Louis Wain items also featured in the auction and following a raise in profile with the recent biographic film, these did particularly well. Lot 622, a Louis Wain for Amphora pottery Lucky Haw Haw cat vase dating from circa 1915 sold for £1,700 and Lot 270, a gouache design for The Merry Motorists brought £2,800.

In the paintings section, Lot 307 an oil pastoral landscape with sheep by Staithes Group artist Owen Bowen, (1873-1967) sold for £1,600 and Lot 264, a pencil and pastel futuristic study of a draughtsman on a terrace by Austrian artist Joseph Floch (1894/5-1977) achieved £1,500.

There were select items of 18th and 19th Century furniture of which Lot 354, a handsome William IV library armchair with green studded leather upholstery sold for £800 and Lot 346, a George III fruitwood standing dresser with good patina consigned by a Cheshire client made £850.

Kinghams are now consigning for the next Fine & Decorative Arts auction on 7th October. A team of leading specialist valuers of

jewellery, watches, silver, glass, ceramics, paintings, designer goods, furniture and books are on hand to advise.

Free valuations are held at the Moreton-in-Marsh auction centre every Tuesday from 10am to 4pm, (with donations in aid of Costwold Friends). Nationwide free home visits for large/multiple items, estate clearance and downsizing advice may be made by appointment.

For further information, please contact Adrian Rathbone on 01608 659695 or email adrian@kinghamsauctioneers.com.

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

Note:allfiguresquotedexcludethe23% plus VAT buyers premium and any other onlinebiddingfeesifapplicable

Advanced weaving techniques for rugs and carpets have been around for centuries. The oldest found example is that of the Paztryk Rug that was excavated from the Altai Mountains in Siberia in 1948. Thought to be from the 5th Century BC and with it’s sophisticated design, it suggests that the practice of carpet weaving goes back even further in history.

The process has come a long way throughout the years, with different styles and techniques filtering all around the world; with different cultures developing their own sense of identity and unique patterns. Whether its woven, tufted, saxony or knotted, brightly coloured patterns or a simple design, there’s a perfect carpet out there for you.

The perfect carpet for you In colder climates, carpets are the perfect insulator, but they also trap dust, pollen, particles, reduce sound and even clean the air. They can add style and personality to your home. And if you’re a little indecisive and don’t want a permanent fixture to your home, you can always add a rug over a wooden floor and change it time after time. Combine with bright colours and create a space for your home thats exciting, fresh and fun.

When deciding on what type of carpet you want for your home, there are a few choices to bear in mind to help you plan for a strong, durable, safe and eco-friendly carpet. Acrylic carpets are more likely to catch fire than a natural fibre such as wool and modern carpets are designed to resist ignition. Whilst wool is considered the ideal fire resistant material, it is also worth remembering that the more dense the material, the harder it is for fires to live on their surface. It is also best to avoid carpets or rugs in any part of the home where there could be naked flames.

Choosing the style

Woven: Woven carpets are more expensive as they use the traditional method going back hundreds of years. High quality and coming in a rich variety of colours, the two main producers of this type of carpet in the UK are Axminster carpets and Wilton carpets. Both of which are masters of their trade.

Loop Pile: These carpets are durable and good value for money. The yarn is twisted then cut to produce an even pile.

Hand knotted: Hand-knotted refers to the are intricate pieces of art that are hand woven on special looms. They have a flatter pile with less texture. The most popular types of this kind of weaving are the Oriental or Perisian varieties.

is made by punching strands of wool into a canvas, stretched onto a frame with a tool.

Twist: This type of carpet is made by tightly twisting the yarn during the manufacturing process. It creates a shorter, more dense pile that is easy to keep clean and tidy.

Saxony: A more dense carpet making a more soft and cosier feel to the touch. Perfect for bedrooms, not quite as good for high footfall places like the hallway.

If you don’t fancy something as permanent as a carpet, opt instead for a statement rug.

The Royal Classic Red Carpet (£145.50) from www.runrug.com is hand-tufted in India using 100% wool. The Royal is a classic embossed Aubusson design. Available in timeless colours, The Royal is guaranteed to make an impact in the home. The quality wool gives this carpet the most luxurious pile available.

Choosing the fibre of your carpet

With an every increasing interest in the environment and all the ways we can be eco friendly in our homes, we can choose a carpet by assessing how good they are for the planet. However expensive it may be to have a natural material in your home, they are some of the most durable. Eco-friendly carpet choices include those made of;

Wool

Wool is a durable material with many benefits. Not only is it a natural insulator, it is renewable and flame retardant. The sustainable fibre is also highly resilient and recovers quickly

with the benefit of being hypo-allergenic. Kersaint Cobb is a natural flooring specialist that produces traditional and modern designs that will bring character and richness into your home. Its carpet range reflects the variety and beauty of the natural world in which we live. The Luna in seashell from Kersaint Cobb is made from 70% wool and 30% goat hair and is a simple design. Paired with rich colours such as deep blues or greens can give an elegant yet minimalist feel to your home.

Sisal

Sisal is durable and comes in a natural white colour. Non toxic , biodegradable and tough Sisal is native to southern Mexico but widely cultivated and naturalized in many other countries. Sisal & Seagrass, specialise in using only natural material floors in their collection, from sisal, coir, jute, pure wool and seagrass. All are sustainable and natural products that can be used within the home. They recently introduced a bespoke Rug Creator tool so that home owners and interior designers can create a rug that fits in with their home or project. Their Pure Wool collection is created from 100% British wool yarn and patterns are created using various breeds meaning there are no harmful dying processes.

Jute

Jute is a natural fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It has been used for thousands of years to make textiles and is renewable, biodegradable, and carbondioxide neutral. It is soft and durable and has a natural tan colour that adheres to most colour schemes and palettes. n

What is the Energy Plan?

In September the Prime Minister announced changes to planned hike in energy charges that were due to take effect in October 22.

Under the new measures:

• A typical household’s energy bill will rise to £2,500 a year from 1 October (from £1,971)

• The “energy price guarantee” will last for two years

• This is not a limit on how much you will pay - your bill depends on how much energy you actually use. Remember the above figure is just an average home, not your home.

• Before the announcement, typical household bills had been due to rise to £3,549 a year

• The plan applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, the “same level of support” will be available

• The one-off £400 fuel bill discount payments for households will go ahead

• Anyone who doesn’t use mains gas and electricity - such as those using heating oilwill receive equivalent help

• Businesses will be protected for six months initially, although nothing has been announced at the time of writing.

What is the energy cap and how does it work?

• The energy price guarantee will replace the existing energy cap, which sets the highest amount suppliers are allowed to charge households for every unit of energy they use.

• These energy units are the kilowatt hours (kWh) on your bills.

• Under the new price guarantee, a typical household can now expect to pay about £2,500 a year. This is based on a household which uses 12,000 kWh of gas a year, and 2,900 kWh of electricity a year.

• But most households aren’t actually typical. Many factors - like the number of people in a house, the type of property and how much they use their heating - all make a difference.

• So, big energy users will pay more than £2,500, and people who use less energy will pay less.

What additional help will I get?

• All households will be given a one-off £400 discount on their fuel bills from October, as previously announced.

• In addition, £650 will be paid to more

than eight million low-income households who receive many benefits or tax credits.

• Further payments of £300 to pensioner households and £150 to disabled people will also go ahead.

• The government hasn’t said whether these will be repeated next October.

How your bill might work out

Using 8,000 Kwh of gas and 1,800 of electricity = £1700 per annum

Using 12,000 Kwh of gas and 2,900 of electricity = £2500 per annum

Using 17,000 Kwh of gas and 4,300 of electricity = £3500 per annum

The standing charge is also added to your bill – this is the daily charge just to be connected to gas and electric.

Right now, the current rates for duel fuel tariffs are:

A standing charge of 27p per day for gas

A standing charge of 45p per day for electricity

That’s due to rise to 28.49p per day and 46.36p respectively according to the OFGEN website. n

Tel: 01905 727904

Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727900

Email: rachel@pw-media.co.uk

Kate Gilmartin

Rachel Seabright

Quality care in Warwickshire you can trust

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

Care UK’s Ambleside care home in Stratford-upon-Avon, and Priors House care home in Leamington Spa, rated ‘Good’ by the CQC, provide residential and dementia care, with nursing care offered at Priors House. This gives families peace of mind that their loved ones can stay living at the home should their needs change.

Living at Ambleside and Priors House is all about quality of life. Every colleague in the homes is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences. The lifestyle teams organise a huge variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day.

The teams at Ambleside and Priors House are proud to have achieved some great results in the recent relative survey, in fact for Ambleside, 98% of families feel their loved ones are treated with kindness, respect and dignity^. At Priors House, 94% of families feel the staff know and treat their loved ones as individuals^.

Once their relative has settled into

Ambleside or Priors House, they are able to focus on spending quality time with them again just enjoying each other’s company.

With the extra support that these care homes offer, new residents are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily activities.

Ambleside and Priors House are part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one of the UK’s most successful care home operators* with over 40 years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people. n

Ambleside care home

Evesham Road, Dodwell, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 9TG careuk.com/ambleside 0330 057 3462

Priors House care home Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa CV32 6RN Careuk.com/priors-house 0330 057 3462

*AsratedbytheCareQualityCommissioninEnglandandtheCare InspectorateinScotland.

Wellbeing is at the heart of life at King’s

‘Head Master, Dr Burley is all over everything,’ says the Tatler Schools Guide 2023.

‘One parent wonders if he sleeps under his desk – and he’s always busy with new ideas. Recently, he’s acquired a school dog called Parsnip, launched a programme for girls’ rugby in partnership with Wasps and set up a beekeeping endeavour.’

At King’s High, we are proud of our excellent work to promote the wellbeing of every student to enable them to navigate today’s society and the overcome the challenges it presents.

The core aim of our Wellbeing Programme is to develop an enriching and uplifting culture to actively promote happiness, positive mental health and emotional wellbeing throughout the school.

Parsnip, our Parson Terrier school dog, plays a vital role in the wellbeing of our students. She brings with her a sense of joy and happiness and cannot help but make students, staff and visitors smile.

‘Pastoral care is regarded as a great strength, and whoever you talk to, there is a sense that every girl is known as an individual within the school’. The Good Schools Guide

King’s High is a warm, caring, compassionate school governed by a culture of kindness that pervades all aspects of our life. All through the school, students look out for one another and look after one another - this is our guiding principle and is carefully structured through our systems of peer mentors, buddies and wellbeing ambassadors.

In recent years, we have developed a national profile for the quality of our pastoral programme and our work to promote a supportive, kind, nurturing environment in which each student is known and valued as an individual.

In 2018 we were selected out of 3000 schools nationally to become one of only three Showcase Schools for the Diana Award, a charity set up in the memory of Princess Diana in the belief that young people have the

power to make positive impacts on the lives of others. In 2021 our work was recognised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, when we received their Gold School Award as part of their All Together programme.

We are wholeheartedly committed to the very highest standards of holistic education to ensure that a supportive culture of wellbeing is embedded fully into the lived daily experiences our student, helping them to develop the lifelong habits and routines of wellness to enjoy a rich and flourishing life.

With over 135 activities (and 36 subject workshops) on offer weekly at lunchtime and after school, all students have opportunities to discover new interests as well as develop them. Any activity undertaken can enhance a student’s wellbeing and with so much on offer, from equine therapy, sports, music, crafts, drama and volunteering, walks or cookery, to chilling out in the mindfulness space, students can really bring balance to their work-life experiences. n

OCTOBER

Tuesday 11th

Show and Tell: Depositions

County Record Office, Priory Park. 1pm – 1.30pm. Depositions were pre-trial statements sworn by witnesses in criminal cases. Join archivist Sharon Forman to find out what you can discover from these records about life in Warwickshire in the 19th and early 20th century. Free, Just drop in. 01926 738959

Wednesday 12th

Warwick Ghost Stories with Steve Garrison

The Court House, Jury Street. 2pm - 4pm. In The Ballroom – Warwick Ghost Stories, with Steve Garrison, followed by tea and cake, a quiz, and time to chat. £3 per person to include the tea. Numbers are limited, so prebooking is essential. Call the Visitor Centre on 01926 492212 to reserve a place, or email enquiries@visitwarwick.co.uk

Wednesday 12th

Autumn Wreaths Workshop Hill Close Gardens. 10am – 12noon £25. Booking essential. 01926 493339 or email centremanager@hcgt.org.uk

Wednesday12th

A musical journey through Latin America

Unitarian Chapel, High Street. 7.30pm. Morgan Szymanski, guitar. The Mexican

Venezuela, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Tickets: £22.50 unreserved, to include a glass of wine and tapas in interval, from Warwick Visitor Centre, 01926 334418, and www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk . Also from website: www.leamingtonmusic.org

Thursday 13th

Celebration of Malcolm Rowson Warwick Hall, Warwick School. 7.30pm. Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra - A Callum Smart violin, Roger Coull conductor. Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. Tickets: £18 (concessions £9) and £14 (concessions £7) from www.wso.org.uk or 07922 119350 or www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

Traditional Retail Markets

Kenilworth - Abbey End, CV8 1ED. 9.00am and 3.00pm. With everything from fruit and vegetables, olive oil, clothing, hardware and pet supplies, there’s something for everyone here.

Friday 14th

The Big Local Night Out

The Bridge House Theatre Warwick School, Myton Rd, Warwick CV34 6PP. A night of comedy, music and local talent comes to Warwick. Hosted by Comedy Magician, Tom Elliott, who has been described by Miranda Hart as ‘Such Fun’, this unique series of events welcomes a range of artists from West End

tours and rising stars of the Swing, Jazz and Gospel music industries - Our headline guests, are absolutely unmissable.

Friday 14th & Saturday 15th

Warwick Mop Fair Market Place and surrounding streets. Friday 14th 5pm – 10pm. Saturday 15th 12noon –10pm. warwickmopfair.co.uk

Tuesday 18th - Sunday 23rd

Kinky Boots

Royal Spa Centre. LSOG are very proud to make an explosive return to the Royal Spa Centre with their production of “Kinky Boots” - 18th - 22nd October 2022. Based on a true story, with music by pop princess Cyndi Lauper, this contemporary style musical tells the tale of a failing Northampton shoe company, Price & Sons, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. But when the owner passes away and his son Charlie reluctantly takes over the business, he realises it is time for a complete change. Enter Lola, a larger than life drag queen who is desperate for a pair of boots which are strong enough to take her weight on stiletto heels. On the surface, they seem unlikely pals, but Charlie sees his chance and together he and Lola design a new range of boots and set out to turn the future of Price & Sons around. Little do they realise though that they have more in common than they could ever have imagined.

Wednesday 12th Warwickshire Ghost Stories with Steve Garrison

The Court House

Rachel Seabright

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

Kate Gilmartin

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

What's On

Thursday 20th

Traditional Retail Markets

Kenilworth - Abbey End, CV8 1ED. 9.00am and 3.00pm. With everything from fruit and vegetables, olive oil, clothing, hardware and pet supplies, there’s something for everyone here.

Friday 21st – Saturday 22nd

Warwick Runaway Mop Town centre. Friday 21st 5pm – 10pm. Saturday 22nd 12noon – 10pm. warwickmopfair.co.uk

Thursday 27th

Hedgehog Day

Hill Close Gardens. 10.30am – 2pm. A prickly tickly session of hedgehog surprises – arts and crafts and caring for hedgehogs. Adults £5. Children 5-17 £1. Under 5s free. Booking essential. Call 01926 493339 or email centremanager@hcgt.org.uk

Traditional Retail Markets

Kenilworth - Abbey End, CV8 1ED. 9.00am and 3.00pm. With everything from fruit and vegetables, olive oil, clothing, hardware and pet supplies, there’s something for everyone here.

Saturday 29th

Halloweenie Dachshund WalkIn aid of The Red Foundation Coombe Abbey Park Brinklow Rd, Coventry CV3 2AB. Fun dog walk in aid of The Red Foundation. Collection on the day any donation no matter how big or how small

would be appreciated! 11.45am meeting time to start walking at 12noon. All shapes and sizes welcome and make your pupper as spooooooky as you like.

Saturday 29th

80th Anniversary of the Battle of El-Alamein The Court House, Jury Street. Warwickshire Yeomanry. A special commemorative exhibition marking the Warwickshire Yeomanry’s role as part of the 9th Armoured Brigade. It will be open to the public from 1pm – 4pm, including some film about El-Alamein shown several times during the afternoon. In Castle Street from 10am - 4pm there will be a static display of military vehicles. pwilson102003@yahoo.co.uk www.warwickshire-yeomanry-museum.co.uk

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 1st

Fretwork - Programme of 16th Century Music St. Mary’s Church. 7.30pm. Locke, Purcell, Jenkins and Lawes. Tickets £12 - £26 (students and children £1) from Warwick Visitor Information Centre. www.leamingtonmusic.org

Sunday 6th

Firewalk Evening Myton Hospice Warwick. 6.30 Registration. 7pm - Briefing. 8pm - The Firewalk. £20 to register and it’s hoped intrepid walkers over the hot coals will get sponsorship. www.mytonhospice.org

Sunbirds return to Leamington Spa

The man who once told us he loved us from the bottom of his pencil case, founder Beautiful South member Dave Hemingway returns with his new band SUNBIRDS playing Leamington Spa –Temperance on Thursday 1st December 2022.

Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave has been keeping busy together with erstwhile South colleague, guitarist/songwriter Phil Barton, new discovery singer/violinist Laura Wilcockson and drummer Marc Parnell.

‘Cool To Be Kind’ was released in November 2020, on the independent label Nectar Records signalling the arrival of Sunbirds with new songs and a new sound.

Although born and bred in England, the band’s sound predominantly features the instrumentation of traditional American roots music combined with the occasional outburst of guitar heavy melody more associated with Seattle in the late 80’s/early 90’s. However, you can only sing about what you know. “Although a lot of the songs have an Americana

feel” says Dave “they’re still about life in England. You’re going to feel a bit daft singing about pick-up trucks and low down honky-tonks when you live in Yorkshire.”

Their debut album produced by cult producer Teo Miller, captures truthful, open-hearted, funny and sometimes painfully honest songs, turning the page to a new chapter for Dave Hemingway and The Beautiful South story.

‘Cool To Be Kind’ is the result of a few transitional years in Dave and Phil’s individual personal worlds. It tells tales that cover contemporary themes as well as age-old matters

of the heart and soul - all viewed through the bottom of a recently drained pint glass.

“Now we’re Sunbirds we’re free to dig a little deeper into ourselves”, says Phil “having said that, there’s no exact science here, we’re just enjoying ourselves and expressing whatever we want whether it’s about love, longing, depression or Gary Lineker’s crisp adverts”. n

Sunbirds ‘Cool To Be Kind’ debut album is out now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon UK & Music, all HMV stores and via the website - www.sunbirds.co.uk

Thursday 27th Hedgehog Day Hill Close Gardens

ANSWERS

Rachel Seabright

Tel: 01905 727900

Email: rachel@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727904

Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk

Kate Gilmartin