Warwickshire County Council
beyond the school
extending services at schools big plans for your rubbish blitz on teen drinking business gets down to schools a look back at 2007 your feedback overcoming disability media review what’s on in warwickshire
view Spring 2008
WARWICKSHIRE
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A whole new world beyond the school
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New One Stop Shop for Whitnash
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Warwickshire news
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Beyond the school How extended services are opening up a whole new world of activities at local schools
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Primary school success 10 Key Stage 2 test results from county primary schools are some of their best ever
Big plans for waste collection
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Your rubbish Check out the latest plans for waste collection in your area
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Review of 2007 A review of last year’s main county council news
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Tackling teen drinking Cracking down on the source
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Down to business Giving children an early taste of the world of work
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p17 Trading Standards blitz on teen drinking
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Overcoming disability 22 A Kenilworth student’s account of living with deafness
Experiencing the world of work
Reader survey A selection of your suggestions
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Review Featuring book, DVD and web reviews from Atherstone Library
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Spectacular academic success
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Firefighters’ Fund continues
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As we go to print The Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund stands at over ÂŁ400,000. Countless people have responded generously in the wake of the tragic events at the Atherstone-on-Stour warehouse fire. Donations can still be made online via the Warwickshire County Council Fire & Rescue website at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ fireandrescue or by post to: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service Head Quarters Finance Department Warwick Street, Leamington Spa CV32 5LH or banked directly into the account: Bank: Lloyds TSB Sortcode: 30-00-02 A/C no: 00581408 A/C Name: Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund The online book of condolence can also be found on the Fire & Rescue website. There are more than 5,200 entries already, from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, USA, Barbados, South Africa, Romania and the Czech Republic.
Goldline buses offer luxury travel
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Warwickshire is a national pioneer for a new way to travel in luxury on public transport. Stagecoach, working with Warwickshire County Council, has launched its new luxury bus concept Goldline in a bid to tempt motorists from their cars. The national operation has chosen Warwickshire for the launch of the new service and introduction of 15 of the new buses, in the Leamington, Warwick and Whitnash areas. Bus fares on the new service are completely unaffected.
Whitnash gets new One Stop Shop
Improvement in care
‘Warwickshire Direct – Whitnash’, which brings county, district and town council services and the Whitnash Safer Neighbourhoods Team together under one roof at Whitnash Library, opened its doors in December. Building work to create ’Warwickshire Direct – Whitnash’ started at Whitnash Library in August. The library has also been enhanced by over £3,000 worth of new popular adult fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. A team of friendly customer service advisors have been trained to answer people’s enquiries on a range of matters – from how to apply to go on the electoral register to how to join the local Credit Union, apply for a bus pass or disabled parking badge, and report environmental health issues.
A thorough review of Warwickshire’s Adult Social Care Services gave Warwickshire County Council a rating of two stars and promising prospects. The rating, given by the independent Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), confirms that the county is improving in its provision of services for adults with disabilities and older people. One short of the maximum of three stars, the result demonstrates that Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to caring for adults and older people is stronger than ever.
Good news for Rugby
‘Warwickshire Direct – Whitnash’ features a ‘private room’ where staff can listen to confidential enquiries, a ‘police room’ where people can discuss issues with the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, and a town council room. Opening hours have been extended to 45 hours a week, with late night opening on Tuesdays and Thursdays (until 7pm) and Saturday morning opening.
Dunchurch family take up green challenge A Dunchurch family has taken up this year’s Sustainability Challenge to demonstrate that it is possible to change to a greener way of living with very little effort. Environmental experts from the council are on hand to guide the Warburton family - mum and dad, Caroline and David, sevenyear-old Martin, and six-year-old Helen - as they discover just how easy it is to go ‘green’, by trying out everything from home composting through to making sure they are not wasting energy by leaving things on stand-by. For more info visit: www.warwickshire. gov.uk/thechallenge
In brief...
Work is progressing well on the £37m Rugby Western Relief Road, and all of the latest news and information is now being updated regularly at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/rwrr The website provides a host of information and latest developments on the works on the 6km stretch of road, including details on the Parkfield Road closure and diversion routes, footpath closures and diversions, ecology measures being taken as part of the works (including the efforts to protect the Great Crested Newt), landscaping plans (such as 2,000 reeds being planted to help with pollution control), and the general programme of works.
Warwickshire’s alcohol action team win national award A team tasked with reducing the harm caused by alcohol in Warwickshire has won a prestigious national award. Warwickshire County Council’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), working with partners from health, the borough and district councils, probation, police, social care providers and young people services in Warwickshire, were recognised for their work developing a range of easily accessible information and products – all with the aim of reducing the harm caused by alcohol. There were over 600 entries for the national ‘High Fliers – Positive Practice Awards 2007’, organised by the Care Services Improvement Partnership. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/daat
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Aerial view of Warwick as work on Shire Hall continues This spectacular aerial shot of Warwick town centre was taken from the top of St Mary’s church. It shows steelwork being lowered into position, as work on the new One Stop Shop progresses.
Ancient cross in Alcester
The Roman Alcester Heritage Museum is currently hosting the Alcester Tau Cross on loan from the British Museum, the first time it has been in the county since it was discovered over 100 years ago. The loan was organised by Warwickshire County Council and saw the cross transferred from the county museum in Warwick. The cross was uncovered in the garden of the rectory at Alcester and has been part of the collections of the British Museum since 1903. This outstanding piece of Early Medieval art was carved from walrus ivory in the early 11th century AD. The cross would originally have been covered in gold foil and hung with precious stones or pearls. Visitors to Roman Alcester Heritage Museum will be able to see the cross until the end of March 2008. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/romanalcester 6
£30k funding to benefit local community projects
Eleven separate projects in Stratford-on-Avon district are set to benefit from a total of more than £30,000 of funding from Warwickshire County Council’s Community Development Fund, following approval by Stratford-on-Avon Area Committee. The projects include theatre and dance training for disabled and vulnerable people in Stratford, the purchase of some new ovens for Age Concern in Shipston and the installation of a hearing loop in Little Wolford Village Hall.
First anniversary celebrations for our PHILLIS
PHILLIS, Warwickshire County Council’s service that helps people over 50 to live independently in their homes, is celebrating its first anniversary. PHILLIS, which stands for Promoting Health and Independence through Low Level Integrated Support, helps people aged over 50 to find out more about the services that help them live on their own in their own homes.
Trained staff can advise customers on many aspects of living, enabling older people to independently get jobs done around the house, to get shopping in, socialise and join leisure groups and a host of other activities. If you’d like to know more about the services that PHILLIS can offer then please ring 01926 731144 or log on to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/phillis
Switch it Off success The 2007 Switch it Off campaign won massive support with thousands of people supporting the initiative. Warwickshire County Council, working with Coventry City Council, Worcestershire County Council, Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre and many other partners, called on as many people as possible to ‘Switch it Off’ between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on a November Friday evening. Central Networks found that on the Friday evening there was a 74 MegaWatt drop on Thursday night’s electricity demand – this is the equivalent to 15,416 typical three-bed detached houses turning off all their power for one year. Videos, set-top boxes, televisions and even the clocks on microwaves are using surprisingly high amounts of power everyday in our homes. The average family spends £400 a year on electricity and up to 25 per cent can be slashed from this by being more energy aware and switching off unused appliances. For more information on taking steps to ‘Switch it Off’ visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/switchitoff or call the energy advice hotline on 0800 512012.
Kingsway primary schoolchildren welcome older visitors for tea and chat A Warwickshire County Council scheme to bring together older and younger generations saw the users of the housebound library service entertained by a performance of Oliver at Kingsway Community Primary School. Older people who use the housebound libraries service were each designated a pupil who greeted them at the school, exchanged Christmas cards and had a chat, a cuppa and a mince pie. Rose Cashmore said: “I am largely confined to the house nowadays and my own grandchildren have grown up so it was good to come and be among children again. And the show was brilliant; Gurdeep and the other children put on a lovely show.” The libraries housebound service is a partnership between Warwickshire County Council’s libraries service and Age Concern Warwickshire. Books, cassettes and audio books are taken around Warwickshire to older people who cannot get to their local library.
Pictured: Mary Wessom with Abbie Tedstone, Rose Cashmore with Gurdeep Punni and Wyn Wilson with Shannon Pace
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beyond the school People of all ages are joining together at their local school to enjoy a wide range of activities thanks to the county council’s work in developing ‘Extended Services’.
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Schools’ locations in the heart of communities make them ideal venues for activities.
t’s Monday night at Lighthorne Heath Primary School and the village’s 30-strong community choir are polishing their performance for a concert in Birmingham. “Singing has been part of my life since I was nine and it’s excellent that we have got this choir going in the village”, enthuses Albert Brown who works as a professional chef by day and has been singing bass for “Heath in Harmony” since it formed in September 2007. The choir members range from a roadside recovery worker to a retired 83-year-old but one thing they have in common is motivation and a love of music. Heath in Harmony was the brainchild of Dorinda Hunt, headteacher of Lighthorne Heath Primary School, who was inspired by Channel Five’s programme ‘The Singing Estate’ which brought national attention to music on Blackbird Ley’s estate in Oxford. Warwickshire County Council’s Music Service helped set up the choir and enlisted the support of acclaimed conductor David Lawrence, who holds the Guinness World Record for conducting the largest choir in the UK (6,846 singers). David said: “This is a wonderful group of people who have brought a new life to my Monday evenings! There is a breadth of experience; a number of people
taking part haven’t sung for many years, and for some this is their first singing experience – it’s a real privilege to be involved.” Heath in Harmony is just one of the many examples of Extended Services, an initiative to provide access to a range of services and activities for children, young people, families and their communities in and around schools. Whether they are taking place in a school or local community centre, Extended Services are all about meeting local needs. Children and their carers can benefit from a range of activities and services including study support, sport and music clubs, quality childcare, parenting support, family learning, targeted and specialist services, and community access to facilities including adult and community learning, ICT and sports grounds. In Warwickshire every school offers or signposts to some Extended Services with more than 56% of primary schools and 61% of secondary schools offering access to the full range, which is well above the Government’s target for 2008. It is expected that the full range of Extended Services will be offered in and around all Warwickshire schools by 2010. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/extendedservices
Some examples of Extended Services
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Children’s University Launched in 2002 to provide an opportunity for children aged 7-13 to extend their learning beyond school hours and improve self-esteem, confidence and school attendance. The scheme has grown in popularity and currently children are busy having fun and learning in over 110 schools in Warwickshire, with 25 registered partners offering varied modules on subjects from touch typing and technology to circus skills and African drumming. Parenting support Working in partnership with organisations across the county, schools are a great place to access parenting support or advice for your families. Locally, many organisations offer parenting training courses and opportunities for families to learn together, as well as offering information points to find out about local support services. Services engaged with schools include Family Information Service, Relate, Connexions, Jobcentre Plus and many more. Quality Childcare One of the ideas behind Extended Services is for schools to offer or signpost to quality childcare provision. Many schools are providing time before and after the school day and during school holidays for children to take part in supervised clubs. Partnerships with local providers help provide a range of quality childcare and parents can access information about local childcare provision by contacting the Family Information Service. Community use of facilities Schools around the county are opening their doors, and facilities, outside of school hours for use by a variety of community groups. School halls are being used for dance classes and sports clubs whilst ICT suites offer the perfect resource for hosting adult learning classes and offering IT training. Schools’ locations in the heart of communities make them ideal venues for such activities. 9
Then and now
Just as the Children’s Information Service (CIS) grows up into a family service, so have the children who were the original faces behind the campaign. The photograph previously used to promote Warwickshire’s Children’s Information Service, was taken seven years ago when pupils Sam and Patréise were at nursery school in Wolston. At this time the service mainly provided information about childcare and pre-school education to parents and carers. When Warwickshire County Council expanded the CIS to become the Family Information Service, now helping young people from 0-20 and their families by offering information on a wide range of family issues and services, they tracked down the original children who helped to publicise the facility. Sam and Patréise, now aged 10, are fellow pupils at Wolston St.Margaret’s Primary School. They are both looking forward to the prospect of starting secondary school next year and the new Family Information Service (FIS) has certainly grown with them. Patréise’s parents for instance, are looking for information about secondary school admissions and Sam has said that he would like to find out more about sport in his local area. Both requests are among the many areas that the FIS is able to help with alongside information about childcare, support services and benefits. The Family Information Service helpline number is 0845 090 8044 and the website is www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis 10
County’s primary school pupils continue to excel Warwickshire’s primary schools are celebrating another year of impressive Key Stage 2 results and their best ever performance in English and Maths. The 2007 provisional results, issued by the Department for Children Schools and Families, show many success stories for Warwickshire schools. The results of tests taken by 11-yearolds show that Warwickshire pupils achieved particularly good results in English. 84% of Warwickshire pupils gained Level 4 or above, and 38% achieved Level 5 and above. Both of these results were the “best in class” for the county’s statistical neighbours - the group of counties which are similar to Warwickshire that are used by Ofsted inspectors to compare local authority performance. In Mathematics 79% of pupils reached Level 4 and above compared to the national figure of 77%, and an impressive 90% of pupils performed as well in science compared to 87% nationally. The tables also show the valueadded score – a calculation which
indicates the progress made by the children from their results at Key Stage 1, aged seven. The results, which reflect the hard work of primary teachers and their pupils, also demonstrate Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to raising levels of educational attainment.
Big changes are on the horizon for waste collection in your area.
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ecycling in Warwickshire is about to get a lot easier. For the first time, food waste, plastic and cardboard will be collected from the kerbside. Currently, 97% of Warwickshire households have a box at home for recycling items like paper, glass, cans and textiles. And thanks largely to the box collections about a third of our waste is recycled, but on average every person in Warwickshire is currently producing 547kg of general waste – more than half a tonne per person each year. Warwick District Council and Stratfordon-Avon District Council are looking to increase the number of materials they can collect for recycling by including collections of plastic bottles and cardboard, and also collecting food waste for composting.
your rubbish Residents of Warwick District will be first to see improved recycling, with changes coming in on April 1. A survey of how many households currently take part in the red box recycling scheme indicated that only 2 out of 5 households put their boxes out on any given collection day. To boost participation the council is running a Red Box Lottery scheme. So if you live in Warwick District make sure you always put your recycling box out on collection day to be in with a chance of winning £50. More information on all the developments is available at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/waste
Warwick District From 1st April 2008 households will be able to place food waste (wrapped in newspaper) with their garden waste in their green bin for collection and put plastic bottles and cardboard in their red box alongside the materials currently collected such as glass, paper and cans. Stratford District The District Council is also looking to extend recycling collections to include cardboard, plastic bottles and the other recyclable materials in a blue wheeled bin and food waste for composting in the green bin, in the weeks these are collected. The council is hoping some of these service improvements will start from 1st August 2008. North Warwickshire is preparing to start recycling collections from flats and isolated properties from April 2008. Communal recycling collection points will be established at flats in the borough. This will enable a further 1,500 households to join the kerbside recycling scheme. North Warwickshire also intends to provide bring bank facilities for cardboard and plastics at selected bring bank recycling locations. Nuneaton and Bedworth The authority is currently out to tender for extending their Red Box Kerbside Recycling Scheme to include the collection of cardboard and plastic bottles as well. Residents will be informed nearer the time of the new scheme going live on how they can participate. Rugby Borough Council Is extending the red box recycling service to all homes. The council will also be providing alternative recycling containers for flats, apartments and sheltered housing complexes. Two additional rounds for garden waste collections are planned; giving a further 15,000 homes the convenience of a separate collection of garden waste and all of Rugby’s schools have been offered a separate collection of paper and card. All these services will be fully operational by mid-April 2008.
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Daisy snaps up top prize in photo competition A 21-year-old from Leamington has snapped up a new digital camera after winning a photographic competition to demonstrate that streets are for people and not for cars. Warwickshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel team ran the competition, and Daisy Bradbury (left) from Leamington won it with her artistic entry. Nicola Small, the county council’s Sustainable Travel Team Leader, said: “The car has taken over our lives. We forget how intrusive they can be – creating noise and congestion. This competition has been a great way of making us stop and think about how streets could be used more for people than machines.” Daisy’s winning picture is a sepia image of a crowded – but car free – street in Paris, retouched with selective colour to add interest to the image. Another prize-winning entry (below), from Mike Abbott of Harbury, depicts an elderly couple walking hand in hand down Northumberland Road, Leamington.
Did you know?
22,346,234 The number of visits to the Warwickshire County Council website since the start of 2003. 12
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2007
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january
Warwickshire Direct partnership wins national egovernment award Launch of PHILLIS older people care service Warwickshire Childrens Centres win national design award
february
30 per cent increase in take up for primary school meals Members of Youth Parliament elected 200 schools close as heavy snow falls
march
Local Area Agreement receives government approval ProDrive buys Aston Martin Opening of ‘Warwickshire Direct Bedworth’
Country parks celebrate record visitor numbers of over 700,000 for the year Safer speed limits continue to be introduced in Warwickshire villages
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april
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Official opening of ‘Warwickshire Direct - North Warwickshire’ (below) Barford bypass opens iPlus information kiosks launched in Rugby
june
Works starts on Rugby western relief road Warwickshire walking festival Support for carers as part of National Carers Week Road safety highlighted as 2,500 11 year-olds visit ‘Live & Dangerous’
july
Emergency plans swing into action as county sees worst flooding in living memory Ford foundry in Leamington closes after 67 years Smoking ban in public places comes into force Stratford park and ride service free before 9.00 am Schools Shakespeare festival at the Dell
august
Warwick district sees new parking regulations Coleshill Parkway station opens to the public Improvement in residential care continues after independent inspections deliver ‘good’ rating
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september
07 Warwick Cycle Races takes to the streets New Avon Valley school in Rugby welcomes pupils
Right2bcared4 pilot scheme launched for children leaving care New fleet of mobile libraries arrives Free electric blanket safety tests continue
october
november
Tragic fire at Atherstone-on-Stour sees the deaths of four Warwickshire firefighters County Music Service receives national award Customer Service Centre celebrates fifth birthday handling around 850,000 enquiries a year Another successful ‘switch it off’ campaign
december
Opening of ‘Warwickshire Direct Whitnash’ Best ever schools results at Key Stage two Cash boost for county as Connect2 wins funding
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Binge drinking amongst young people is closely associated with crime and anti-social behaviour
Britain is the teenage drinking capital of Europe and the statistics are staggering.
blitz on teen drinking B
y the age of 13 the proportion of young people that drink exceeds the proportion that don’t, with many young people consuming up to 10 units of alcohol (5 pints) every week, double the figure in the early 1990’s. Binge drinking amongst young people is closely associated with crime and antisocial behaviour, but excessive drinking is also taking its toll on the health of children. Short term effects include vomiting, unconsciousness, and trauma-related injuries. Over 1,000 13 year olds require emergency treatment for alcohol poisoning every year alone. In the longer term some underage drinkers will suffer liver and kidney failure. Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service and Warwickshire Police have been working together to tackle the health, crime and social problems caused by under aged drinking, by making it harder for young people to buy alcohol. Retailers have received information, education and advice on the practical steps they can take to help prevent sales of alcohol to children. Young volunteers have also been recruited, to work undercover and attempt to buy drink from alcohol retailers. Between May and November 2007, 140 attempts were made to buy alcohol with 27 sales (19%). Those who sell face penalties ranging from £80 fixed penalty notices to prosecution and possible revocation of their licence. For alcohol advice visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/alcohol
(Nationally) over 1,000 13 year olds require emergency treatment for alcohol poisoning every year.
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Project unearths hidden treasures beneath Bidford
Young driver of the year picks up top prize
A children’s comic has been produced featuring stories about how the objects came to be there.
Warwickshire County Council has teamed up with English Heritage to create an archaeological outreach project in Bidford-on-Avon ‘Buried under Bidford’ has engaged the public through field walking and metal detecting surveys, a public debate with an expert panel and an exhibition. A children’s comic, showing the archaeology that has been found following quarrying in the Bidford area, has also been distributed. Workshops have been run at Bidford Primary School about the Romans and how archaeologists learn about the past. In addition, training sessions have been arranged to teach local people how to undertake documentary research and learn more about their heritage. Warwickshire County Council is involved in archaeological projects around the county. If you’d like to know more, call the Historic Environment Record on 01926 418023.
New application form is just the job
Left to right: Cllr Martin Heatley - WCC, Sean Oliver, Quentin Willson, Pierre Louis Colin - MD Peugeot, Cllr Kevin Foster - Coventry City Council
Sean Oliver, aged 21, from Southam was crowned winner of the first Coventry and Warwickshire Young Driver of the Year Competition sponsored by Peugeot. The competition was launched in August to encourage safe driving practices amongst young people and reduce casualty numbers within this group. Every year about 1,000 young lives are lost on UK roads. The competition has been run by Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and the Institute of Advanced Motorists and is sponsored by Peugeot Motor Company Plc. 18
Applying for a job with the county council has just got a whole lot easier thanks to the county council website. The online application section of the website has been updated to make the business of responding to a vacancy with the county council much simpler. Feedback from applicants has led to a redesign of the online job application form to make it more user friendly. It now has a handy tab
format to track through the sections you’ve filled in and also lets you know if you’ve missed anything out. Warwickshire County Council is the county’s largest employer, with around 18,000 employees. The jobs section of our website is constantly updated with the latest vacancies for a range of positions across all service areas. Check out the latest vacancies at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/jobs
Green fingered young people help deliver the goods
Connect2 lottery win means cash for Warwickshire Kenilworth and Rugby are to receive more than a million pounds to get people cycling and walking more after the population locally and nationally voted for Connect2 in the Big Lottery Fund’s: The People’s £50 Million Contest.
Youth Offending Service Reparation Practitioner Penny Forrest, Sessional Worker Mark Anderson-Howe and Tim Atkins, Administrator for Age Concern Warwickshire at Claremont.
Elderly residents in Rugby are tucking into award-winning organic food thanks to Warwickshire’s Youth Offending Service. Young people who work with the Youth Offending Service at its Addison Road allotment plot have recently harvested their crops of fresh produce which they spent months planting and nurturing. Representatives from the service, based at Newton Hall in Rugby, have been busy taking a selection of fruit and veg to Age Concern Warwickshire’s Claremont day centre for it to be handed out.
Bhangra beat in Bedworth
Bedworth is moving to the bhangra beat thanks to the efforts of two young people who successfully bid for a grant from the Youth Opportunity Fund. Sixteen-year-olds Minda Singh and Kaz Dhesi are currently organising future bhangra music events following the success of their summer workshops at venues in Bedworth Heath and Nuneaton. Both are members of the Asian ReGeneration youth project and came up with the idea after they impressed the audience at Bedworth Civic Hall last March. For further information contact Pindy Sanghera, a youth worker at the Nuneaton and Bedworth Area Team on 024 7638 2185.
Artists impression of the Kenilworth scheme.
Four schemes were attempting to win the lottery payout, and the results of the voting saw 42 per cent of people voting for Connect2. This means new off-road routes linking Kenilworth town centre with The Greenway and The University of Warwick, along with a further ambitious scheme in Rugby, are to be delivered by national sustainable travel organisation Sustrans. Connect2 was competing with three other bids for projects in Cornwall at the Eden Project, in the Black Country and at Sherwood Forest. The project developed from an existing local initiative to develop further the disused Kenilworth-Berkswell railway line as a leisure route. Connect2 will provide funding to complete the upgrade of the existing route, and a feature will be a safe crossing of the busy A429 Coventry Road. A new bridge over the Coventry Road is envisaged, in the place where the old railway bridge existed until the 1960s. For more information see www.thepeoples50million. org.uk 19
schools get down to business Business giants such as Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover and National Grid are regularly working with Warwickshire schoolchildren to try and ensure they are ready for the world of work when leaving education.
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Rolls Royce, is working closely with the EBP to develop the management skills of their staff.
housands of youngsters each year are now benefiting from the work of the Warwickshire Education Business Partnership and their pioneering approach to making the world of employment interesting for young people. Only recently a group of pupils from Shipston High School won the 3F School Challenge and took on the running of a pub for an evening. The 3F School Challenge – The Future of Food is Fun – is an initiative aimed at getting youngsters interested in food. As part of a business enterprise day 70 pupils from Shipston High School took part and received professional briefings on topics such as the hospitality industry, budget, customer care, healthy eating, food safety and marketing. The winning Shipston team ‘Kiwi’ were invited to whip up some culinary magic in the award winning Bell Inn at Welfordon-Avon, working in all areas of the pub; from front of house to food preparation and cooking. Another area winning increasing national attention is the Education Business Partnership Centre, operated with Jaguar and Land Rover, and based on the company’s huge site at Gaydon. The centre at Gaydon provides students from all Key Stages with the opportunity to visit test facilities, talk to people in business and learn more about science, technology, engineering, business and design. Adam Talbot, Partnership Centre Manager, said: “In the last year about 4,000 primary, 500 secondary and 66 A-level students have visited us. The children are always extremely enthusiastic and there is a real passion for engineering at a young age, which will hopefully be maintained as the children get older.” And it’s not just the pupils who are benefiting as only recently one of the country’s top schools, Thomas Telford in Shropshire, chose Warwickshire to train 15 graduate trainee teachers. Similarly one of the world’s most famous brands, Rolls Royce, is working closely with the EBP to develop the
management skills of their staff through working with primary school pupils, by sending managers from throughout the world to work with Warwickshire pupils. Schools interested in finding out more about EBP can email: sheilahancox@warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 738960. Or they can contact the centre at Gaydon by emailing: schools@landrover.com or call 01926 643703. For more information about the EBP visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ebp
Shipston High School pupils in action at the Bell Inn at Welford-on-Avon.
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In the last year about 4,000 primary, 500 secondary and 66 A-level students have visited the Partnership Centre.
Avon Valley School pupils from Rugby involved in a practical exercise.
Youngsters getting first hand experience at the Education Business Partnership Centre at Gaydon.
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I would not deny that deafness makes life incredibly difficult Overcoming disability. Tom Payne from Kenilworth is one student who has benefited from the assistance of the council’s Integrated Disability Service. The Service supports the inclusion of children and young people with a range of needs. It provides a range of teaching and support to help students achieve the best possible results. Tom, who started at university in September after completing his A-levels at Kenilworth School and Sports College, discusses his experiences.
tom’s story
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eafness is a difficult subject to describe. It can be many things at once – it can foster a sense of identity or it can leave you feeling out in the cold. It can make life impossibly difficult, or you can find ways to overcome these difficulties. It can be the defining aspect of your personality or it can be, to a large extent, irrelevant. Deafness is not about easy choices, and sometimes it is less a question of choosing between these options, and more a question of trying to preserve some sort of balance between them. Or at any rate, this is how I have found it. After 18 years I am, in many ways, no more comfortable with my deafness than I have ever been. For more information about Warwickshire I was born in County Council’s Integrated Disability Birmingham Service, call 01926 413737. and moved to Kenilworth aged 22
eleven. I have spent my entire school career in hearing schools and have, as far as possible, lived my life in a hearing community. In my GCSE exams I scored one of the top five marks in the country for English Literature and I got four As in my A-levels, scoring full marks on seven papers. I have won a creative writing competition for the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth. I can also play bass guitar at grade 6 standard. On the face of it, this would appear to indicate that deafness need be no obstacle to achieving whatever it is you want to achieve. I do believe, however, that this would be to sidestep some important issues. I would not, for instance, deny that deafness makes life incredibly difficult, and that sometimes I bend under the weight to the point of breaking in half. I am simultaneously comfortable with my deafness, and cripplingly aware of the difference between myself and hearing people. It is up to people who read this to consider for themselves whether young deaf people should not be given more of a voice, and more of the personal responsibility they need to be noticed and treated as individuals. My own story illustrates that it is possible to succeed – I only asked to be allowed to succeed on the same terms as everybody else.
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A big thank-you to all who responded to our reader survey in the last issue of the View. Your feedback is vital as we seek to improve the magazine and make it as useful as possible for the residents of Warwickshire. We’ve printed a selection of your comments below, but
email:
vieweditor@warwickshire.gov.uk
write:
View Editor, Warwickshire County Council, Communications Division, P.O. Box 9, Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4RR
don’t forget, you can continue to write or email about any issues raised in the magazine, or anything else concerning county council services.
contact us Our survey said...
95.5% 91.9%
found the magazine of interest
felt more informed about county council services
91.1%
had a positive impression of the county council after reading the magazine
Congratulations ...to Paul Weaver of Pillerton Priors, near Wellesbourne, who’s survey was randomly chosen to win this DAB radio.
Gave me information that I didn’t already know. SP, Rugby A very informative read and one of my favourite freebies. TB, Warwick I enjoyed reading the magazine but would like to know how much it cost to produce and distribute. BH, Lapworth Editor replies: A typical issue of Warwickshire View, including design, print and distribution costs about 13p per copy. We’re so pleased to receive ‘the View’ we feel we are part of the Warwickshire community - it is so good to feel involved. AT, Rugby Looking at the back cover I understand why the council tax is so high. HS, Norton Lindsey It’s very user-friendly and makes you realise just how many things the council do provide. RR, Rugby So pleased at last to get information about Warwickshire. Due to our postcode we’ve only had Leicestershire info. We’re glad to live in Warwickshire. MC, Wolvey
I have moved here from Essex and have never had so much help and information from the council. I am a pensioner and need all the help and local information that I have received. Thank you. ME, Southam The features are very relevant and relate to a broad mix of people. How about a feature of ‘Walks in Warwickshire’ to go out and explore with family and friends. CM, Alcester Editor replies: We’ve taken your idea on board. A regular series of featured walks will appear, starting in June. Waste of money and a waste of paper. AB, Tiddington Attractive and well laid out with a wide range of articles LB, Warton nr. Tamworth 23
review atherstone library
Atherstone library staff give you the low down on some great reads and Stock and Reader Development Librarian Caroline Dee reviews a tale of mid-life holiday crisis (below)
Wish You Were Here Mike Gayle Mike Gayle hails from the West Midlands and is one of the UK’s most successful contemporary black writers. His previous novels have been best sellers and Wish You Were Here is as hot as the beach scene on the front cover! Mike is often labelled as a “Lad-Lit” writer, but his novels always touch on sensitive subjects usually ignored by his peers. In Wish You Were Here he focuses on how at 35 Charlie deals with the breakdown of a long-term relationship with the help of his two best mates and blagging his way onto an 18 – 30 holiday, back to the party resort of Malia where he met his exgirlfriend 10 years ago. Problem is, they’re not 18 anymore and they’re
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definitely feeling it. “Do you remember when we used to go on the pull when we were at university and we’d see packs of greasy old men eyeing up the girls we were with?” I said to Andy with a sigh. Andy nodded. “Well, I’ve got a horrible feeling that we’re the greasy old men now.” Tom is married with two children and Andy, the eternal student, is on the verge of marrying and settling down. Both have been friends with Charlie since university days and apart from helping Charlie get over Sarah, they have their own demons to deal with during the break. Andy’s fear of commitment sends his behaviour spiralling out of control. Despite taking the moral high ground and condemning him for his actions, Charlie ends
up doing something equally as shocking and destructive. Andy is forced to deal with his issues, but the strain on his friendship with Charlie is too much for him to handle. Tom tries to remain neutral, but when he reveals a secret it brings the friends together, for a while anyway... Sun, raki, tattoos, past lives, loves and the trauma of packing, this story has all the ingredients to make you laugh, cry and sigh with relief when everything turns out OK in the end. Who would have thought that a break in the sun would change lives forever? This is the ideal book to help you float away to sun-drenched beaches on a dreary winter night. Easy to get into and get lost in. Mike Gayle writes in a friendly and easy-going style. Don’t miss out.Saib-eTabrizi, 17th century poet describing the beauty of Kabul.
AA 1001 Great Family Days Out The ‘AA 1001 Great Family Days Out’ book lists everything from stately homes and museums to science centres, petting zoos (below) and theme parks, so you’ll never be stuck for somewhere to go. Avril Breedon, Senior Library Assistant
Blackbird Singing Paul McCartney Poems and Lyrics 1965 – 1999
This book contains many pieces that will be very well known to the reader such as ‘The Long and Winding Road’, ‘Yesterday’, and ‘She’s Leaving Home’. However, at also contains some absolute gems that haven’t seen the light of day before. My particular favourites include ‘Standing Stones’ and ‘Nova’ the latter of which was written especially for his late wife, Linda. Julie Talbot, Senior Library Assistant. An excellent collection of ‘Poetry on loan’ is available at Polesworth library.
DVD review • Caroline Dee Amazing Grace (PG)
Stock & Reader Development Librarian
Music
Exodus - Bob Marley 2007 is the 30th anniversary of Exodus, an album Time magazine describes as the “best album of the 20th century”. Bob recorded this album after fleeing Jamaica for England in 1977 following an attempt on his life. It transformed Bob’s career and includes the tracks ‘One Love’, ‘Jamming’, ‘Could you be loved’ and ‘Exodus’. Julie Shilton, Senior Library Assistant
Website www.rspb.org.uk/youth Discover, learn and play on this website. Log on to fun and facts, and learn how you can help combat climate change or save species from extinction like the albatross. Find out how you can make a difference in your local area. Plus, competitions, games, puzzles and colouring. Plenty to do on a rainy afternoon. Jane May, Library Assistant
This film follows the story of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce and his relationship with John Newton, a monk plagued by his past as captain on a slave ship. The cast includes Ioan Gruffud, Youssou N’Dour, Albert Finney, Rufus Sewell and Michael Gambon. A very powerful historical drama.
New DVDs
The Bourne Ultimatum Bridge to Terabithia Cleaverville Hairspray Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ocean’s Thirteen Pirates of the Caribbean - At World’s End The Simpsons Movie Shrek 3 Surf’s Up
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february
what’son march contd
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February Frolics 20 Half term competitions, activities and fun on the Farm Village at Hatton Country World nr. Warwick. 10am – 4pm. Entry £5.95. Call 01926 843411 or go to: www.hattonworld.com for more details.
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Jurassic Warwickshire Make your own Jurassic fossil at St John’s House Museum, Warwick. 10.30am – 12.30pm. £3 per child. To book please call 01926 412034.
22-23 Celts in the Cotswolds Festival
Annual Celtic music festival at Norgren Hall, Shipston on-Stour. 10am – 5pm, concert doors open 7pm. For tickets and more information call 01608 661157.
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History of Ryton Pools Journey down the ages at Ryton Pools Country Park. 1pm – 3pm. Adults £1.50 concessions £1. To book call 024 7630 5592.
march 05
Storytime and Craft Free storytime and craft session for under 5s at Leamington library, Royal Pump Rooms. 10.00am, no need to book.
13-14 Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe musical
County Music Service production at Trinity School Theatre, Leamington Spa. £7 adults, £5 senior citizens, £3 children. For more information visit www.musicforlife.net
15 March – 01 June ‘Horoscopus’
Exhibition using film, video and slide projections at Compton Verney nr. Kineton. £7 adults, £6 concessions. For tickets visit: www.comptonverney.org.uk or call 01926 645500.
20 March – 02 April Easter holiday activities
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Activities for children aged 3 to 12 years at Ryton Pools Country Park and Kingsbury Water Park. Call 01827 872660 for full details.
March –03 April
Easter treasure trail Follow the trail to discover the chocolate egg treasure at Kingsbury Water Park. £1 per trail sheet. For more information call 01827 872660.
21-24
Plantagenets
Medieval life and times c.1346 at Kenilworth Castle. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth or call 01926 852078 for more information.
21 March-26 October
Hill Close Gardens, Warwick Fridays and Sundays 2pm - 5pm, Saturdays and Bank Holidays 11 am - 5pm.
april 06
Get set sow! Talks and advice on how to get the best out of your garden at Garden Organic Ryton. Call 02476 303 517 or visit www.gardenorganic.org.uk for more details.
06
10k Regency Run From Newbold Comyn to Mill Gardens in Leamington Spa. Runners must register in advance. Call 0121 358 4483 for more information.
26-27
Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations
Celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Full event details can be found at www.shakespeare.org.uk or by calling 01789 204016.
26-27
St George’s Weekend
Celebrate at Kenilworth Castle. For times and prices visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth or call 01926 852078.
may 24 May–01 June Warwickshire Walking Festival
Nine days of guided walks at locations throughout Warwickshire. See www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ walkingfestival or call 01926 413419.
june 07
Atherstone Fun Day A great day out for all the family! 11am – 4pm, Atherstone town centre. Free.
11–15
BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2008 Beautiful gardens and plants, expert advice and live entertainment at the NEC in Birmingham. 9am – 6pm. Book advance tickets (£19.50) on 0870 040 0370 or at: www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com
14–15
Leamington Peace Festival Free festival featuring entertainment, workshops and over 120 stalls. From 11am at the Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa.
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Maxstoke Castle Open Day The 14th century moated castle is only open one day a year. Nr Coleshill, B46 2RD.11am – 5pm Adults £5, Concessions £3.
24 May– 01 June
Warwickshire Walking Festival
farmers’ markets Warwickshire Farmers’ Markets: 9am- 2pm (unless stated) Call 01608 664659 for more information, or go to: www.warwickshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk Coleshill, Market Hill, Fourth Friday of month, 10am-2pm Coventry, Spon Street, Second Thursday of month Kenilworth, Abbey End, Second Saturday of month Leamington Spa, Pump Room Gardens, Fourth Saturday of month Rugby, Clock Tower, Last Thursday of month Southam, Market Hill, Second Saturday of month Stratford-upon-Avon, Rother Street First and third Saturday of month Warwick, Market Square, Third Friday of month Details of dates and times of Council meetings open to the public can be found at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/council or by calling 01926 410410. All information is correct at time of going to press, but we would advise you to check before making your journey. Some events require you to book in advance and may incur a small charge or require the purchase of tickets. For details of events at: County Record Office call 01926 738959, Warwickshire Museum 01926 412500, Heritage Education 01926 412034 or visit www. warwickshire.gov.uk/museum Advertisement
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what your
COUNTY COUNCIL does for you Spring 2008
Adult Education & ICT Learning Centres Archaeology Archives & Records Arts Births, Marriages & Deaths Registration Business Support Community Safety Construction Consumer & Business Advice Country Parks & Recreation County Council Property Maintenance County Highways County Record Office Disability Services Early Years’ Centres Ecology Economic Development Education Emergency Planning Employment Environmental Design Family Information Service Farms & Forestry
Fire & Rescue Foster Care Grants Heritage Education Homecare Libraries Museums Nature Conservation Parents’ Centres Planning Quality & Environmental Support Systems Regeneration Projects Residential Homes Roads, Footpaths & Rights of Way Road Safety School Meals Social Care & Policy Trading Standards Transport & Local Bus Services Tree Work Warwickshire Calibration Services Waste Management Youth Services
contact us 01926 410410 (minicom 01926 412277) web www.warwickshire.gov.uk email vieweditor@warwickshire.gov.uk write View Editor Communications & Media Division Warwickshire County Council P.O. Box 9, Shire Hall Warwick CV34 4RR call
This magazine is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper. When you have finished reading this copy of Warwickshire View please recycle it again.
Our normal office hours are 9 - 5.30pm Monday to Thursday & 9 - 5pm on Friday. However by calling the number on the left you can obtain advice, help or signposting to any of our services from 8am - 8pm weekdays & 9am - 4pm on Saturdays. If this information is difficult to understand we can provide it in another format, for example; in Braille, in large print, on audiotape, in another language or by talking with you. Please contact us on 01926 412758. Warwickshire View magazine is written, edited and designed in-house by the Warwickshire County Council Communications & Media Division.