by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 16, 2024 | News
A much-loved home and giftware store opened again in the heart of Leamington Spa this Christmas on Friday 15th November, ready to spread festive cheers as the town gears up for the festive season.
Previously, Magical Story has been a huge favourite in Leamington Spa town centre, offering seasonal cheer and unique giftware.
The exciting return has been much anticipated by fans of the store online, and to the delight of many, they are now open with a huge array of festive magic on offer.
The store will host a wide range of special offers and deals over the upcoming weeks, a fantastic way to welcome customers back to the store both old and new!
Whatever your Christmas style, Magical Story has something in store for everybody! From fluffy pink Christmas collections to traditional Christmas pieces including Santa’s, nutcrackers and gonks galore! Stunning glass designs and beautiful Christmas baubles make this store explode with Christmas magic and bring a smile to anybody who walks through the door!
Andy Jones, General Manager said “We are very excited to be returning to Leamington Spa. I love this vibrant, historical location and cannot wait to welcome everyone back to our store. We have a fantastic team assembled, a combination of some returning faces and plenty of new, who will be in store to welcome shoppers from this weekend.”
Find Magical Story at 94-96 Parade, Leamington, CV32 4AQ.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 21, 2024 | News
Whittle Productions is hosting two workshops to share the unique Lights of Leamington Story and explore the role light has for our communities and faiths in Leamington. Information gathered from these events will feature in a new
Switched on Stories exhibition which will take part in February 2025 as part of a new and re-invented community lights festival. Lights of Leamington: Switched on Stories is made possible thanks to National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will preserve the stories and memorabilia from the iconic Lights of Leamington festival which took place in Jephson Gardens from 1951 to 1961.
David Clargo and Carole Sleight from Whittle Productions with Cllr Mini Kaur Mangat are hosting the first event at Whitnash Civic centre on Saturday 26 October from 3-4.30pm. They will share the history and stories of the Lights of Leamington festival and explore the broader meaning and significance of light.
Cllr Mini Kaur Mangat,
“I am delighted to be part of the “Switched on Stories” oral history project. Across different cultures, light represents hope, celebration, and connection, and this project beautifully highlights how it serves as a symbol of unity and shared traditions within Leamington’s rich tapestry of communities.”
The second Switched on Stories event is a free diya lamp making workshop on Tuesday 29th October at The Sydni Centre. Families and carers with children aged 6+ can drop in from 10am to 12noon and design and paint a diya lamp. which will feature in the “Switched on Stories” exhibition next year.
If you would like to volunteer or find out more information, head to www.whittleproductions.co.uk/switched-on, email switchedonleam@gmail.com or call Carole Sleight on 07768 617081.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 14, 2024 | News
A brand-new Diwali light will illuminate the top of the Parade in Leamington later this month, as the community comes together to celebrate the Festival of Light.
The Diwali light switch on event will take place on Sunday 27 October, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Members of the Indian community will come together with people of all faiths in a harmonious celebration of unity and cultural diversity, to mark the start of the Diwali festivities.
Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, and is observed all over the world by the Indian diaspora.
The event will feature a celebration of Indian heritage and culture, with an energetic Dhol Tasha performance and Bollywood songs and dance. The lights will be switched on by the Chairman of Warwick District Council, Councillor Rob Margrave, Vice-Chairman Councillor Naveen Tangri, and other community representatives at 7pm.
Councillor Ella Billiald, Portfolio Holder for Arts & Economy, said: “I am so pleased that a new, bright and colourful Diwali light will now welcome and delight visitors to Royal Leamington Spa, celebrating the multicultural diversity of our town. Colours hold deep significance for many cultures and particularly for Diwali, and I would like to thank the local Faith Leaders, BID Leamington and Royal Leamington Spa Town Council for working with us on this. I’m very much looking forward to joining the community in switching on this light and marking the start of Diwali together.”
Councillor Naveen Tangri added: “Last year’s event was such a great success, with hundreds coming together to show that Warwick District is united in its acceptance and celebration of other cultures. I look forward to welcoming everyone to the event for a diverse celebration of Indian heritage and culture.”
by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 19, 2024 | News
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum Celebrates 25 years with New Exhibition:
25 years | 25 Objects | 25 Artists
4 October 2024 – 12 January 2025
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum is proud to announce a special exhibition celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Royal Pump Rooms. Opening this Autumn, the exhibition marks a quarter century of the gallery’s role in reflecting the town’s rich history and vibrant artistic culture since it first welcomed visitors in the summer of 1999.
The exhibition will be divided into three distinct sections, exploring the key themes of Leamington’s heritage and artistic growth. Visitors will also have the chance to view a curated selection of 25 objects from the gallery’s extensive collection of nearly 2,800 items, amassed over the past 25 years. Highlights include a sculpture by Sir Terry Frost, Randolph Turpin’s training gloves, a painting by renowned camouflage artist Dorothy Anan, and memorabilia from the 2022 Commonwealth Games. This display will raise questions around the nature of collections, examining what is collected, why, and who is represented.
Curator Victoria Slade commented:
“We’re excited to mark this significant milestone with an exhibition that both celebrates the diversity of our collection and reflects on its evolution over the past 25 years. Each item on display tells a unique story about Leamington’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, and we hope to inspire our visitors to think more deeply about the role of art and objects in shaping local history.”
In addition to the collection display, the gallery has invited 25 artists, including recent winners of the OPEN 2024 exhibition, to display and sell their work in a dedicated pop-up shop within the exhibition space. The OPEN exhibitions, which have supported local artists since the 1930s, continue to showcase emerging talent from the region. This year’s exhibition will also feature a special display by Mark Elsmore, winner of the OPEN 2022.
The exhibition will run from Friday 4th October, and visitors are encouraged to explore the range of artworks and historical objects that celebrate the vibrant legacy of Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum.
For more information and image requests on all upcoming exhibitions and events, please email spa.marketing@warwickdc.gov.uk
**About Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum**
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, located in the historic Royal Pump Rooms, is home to an impressive collection of fine and decorative arts, as well as exhibits that tell the story of Leamington’s fascinating past. The gallery also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions, events, and activities for all ages, supporting the region’s cultural and artistic community.
by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 10, 2024 | Blogs
This past weekend, thousands flocked to the Pump Rooms Gardens for the Leamington Food and Drink Festival, a two-day culinary extravaganza that showcased the region’s finest food and beverages.
Organised by BID Leamington, the festival marked its 17th year and delighted visitors and traders, who were also buoyed by the welcome sunshine on Sunday.
With over 100 exhibitors in attendance, the festival catered to all tastes and included everything from gourmet burgers and authentic jerk chicken to freshly made pizzas, gyros, loaded hotdogs, prize winning wings, burgers and international curries.
The diverse menu was complemented by wide array of drinks including locally brewed beverages, cocktails and smoothies alongside an assortment of dessert treats, cakes, gelato, doughnuts, churros, cannoli, and more.
Local produce and businesses were also on show, and featured everything from jams, chutneys, cheeses, pies to eco products and food purchasing options from businesses like Zero Leamington, making the event a foodie paradise.
A diverse programme of entertainment made for a fun, family atmosphere and kept people entertained throughout the weekend.
The Live Cookery Theatre was a major draw, compared by Kirsty Leahy, with demonstrations by renowned chefs including George, Russell and Simon from Aubrey Allen, Sophie Hyam from Culinary Bites, and Prashant and Sergio from Giggling Squid.
Festival-goers were also treated to international flavours with demonstrations by Nedal Calouha and Karol Klecz from The Polish Centre, Bia Rodrigues-Perry of Bia’s Kitchen Show and Caribbean expert chef Collin Brown from Turtle Bay.
For younger visitors, the Kid’s Cookery School, hosted by Anne Marie Lambert of Get Cooking, provided an engaging hands-on experience to around 400 children.
The bandstand also came alive with music as a variety of acts took to the stage adding to the vibrant atmosphere and creating the perfect backdrop for the festival.
Local businesses were once again at the heart of the festival reinventing their classics, showcasing award winning flavours, and introducing themselves to new customers.
Sam Cornwall-Jones, owner of The Drawing Board and co-owner of The Magic Wingdom, praised the festival, stating, “As ever the Leamington Food Festival is hands down the greatest event in the Warwickshire calendar. It is slick, fun, well attended and valuable to our business.”
Matt Crowther, owner of the Royal Pug, Taverna Meraki, Katoi and the Micro Pug, in the town centre, said “We are thrilled with the festival’s success and look forward to making our offer even bigger and better next year. Thank you to BID Leamington, volunteers, and attendees who made this festival possible.”
Alison Shaw, BID Leamington Project Manager and festival organizer, expressed her gratitude to all involved in making the event a success.
“The Leamington Food and Drink Festival continues to deliver a fabulous free weekend of food, drink, and entertainment to enjoy, and we were all relieved that the weather was largely dry.
The community spirit was also palpable, and it was wonderful to see people of all ages have fun as we celebrate the best of our local food scene.
I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our exhibitors, volunteers, and team members who helped make our 17th annual festival so enjoyable.”
As the sun sets on another successful town centre event, it is clear that the Leamington Food and Drink Festival has cemented itself as one of the region’s most beloved annual events, so plans are underway for it to return on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2025.
For information please see: www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk
by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 3, 2024 | News
Food lovers are in for a treat as the much-anticipated Leamington Food and Drink Festival returns to the Pump Room Gardens for its 17th year. The festival will take place from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8.
Visitors can look forward to a culinary extravaganza, with exhibitors serving up the best local and regional food, complemented by a wide variety of drinks. This free-to-attend event, organized by BID Leamington, will showcase more than 115 exhibitors, including over 40 businesses from the town centre.
New additions to the festival from the Town Centre include Zero Store, Grace & Vine, Turtle Bay, Bodega Cantina, Tavola, No 75, and The Terrace, all of whom will be offering their unique dishes.
In addition to the mouth-watering food and drinks, the festival will feature a range of entertainment. Highlights include cookery demonstrations at the Live Cookery Theatre by Bia’s Kitchen, Sophie Hyam of Culinary Bites, Russell Allen of Aubrey Allen, and Jess Mooney of Bread for Life.
The Kid’s Cookery School, hosted by Anne Marie Lambert of Get Cooking, will also make a return, inspiring young chefs to get creative in the kitchen.
Music lovers will be entertained throughout the weekend, with performances on the Bandstand from acts including Nicole Wilson, Two Piece Blues, and the ever-popular Room 17 on Saturday. On Sunday, Nora Bart, Eva Gadd, Monday Nights and The Folly Brothers will take to the stage.
Alison Shaw, BID Leamington Project Manager, said: “The Leamington Food and Drink Festival is a highlight in the town’s event calendar, and we are thrilled to see it return this year. Our plans are coming together beautifully, and we’ve received fantastic support from both local businesses and those from further afield.
“There truly is something for everyone, from live cookery demonstrations and children’s entertainment to a diverse range of high-quality food and drink. We’re excited to welcome back festival favourites as well as introduce some new businesses to the event. We look forward to welcoming visitors in September.”
For more information about the event, visit leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk/.
by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 3, 2024 | News
Leamington’s Whittle Productions CIC are delighted to announce they have been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a new oral history project called ‘Switched on Stories’. This will record and preserve the stories and memorabilia from the iconic Lights of Leamington Festival which took place in Jephson Gardens from 1951 to 1961. The grant has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
To achieve this, Whittle Productions invite everyone who remembers this festival to participate in two community open days to gather, share and save this heritage by gathering their stories and memorabilia from the original Lights of Leamington.
The open days will take place on Saturday, September 7, at Dormer Conference Centre, and Saturday, September 14, at All Saints’ Parish Church as part of the Leamington History Group’s Heritage Open Day. Both events are free to drop into from 10am to 4pm and in
accessible venues.
Material selected from these events will create a story archive which will have a permanent home in the Warwickshire County Records Office, an outdoor and indoor exhibition, film, website, podcasts and community information pamphlet.
Carole Sleight and David Clargo of Whittle Productions said “We are delighted to receive support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Players as it’s a unique opportunity to unearth and document the stories and souvenirs surrounding this much cherished festival and create a legacy for Leamington Spa.”
Whittle Productions hope people will speak to their families and friends, look through old boxes of photos and films and reflect on a festival that was said to have rivalled the Blackpool Illuminations. It featured trees illuminated in a rainbow of colours, magical animal installations, fairy tale characters, music, dancing, and spectacular firework displays that attracted crowds from across the West Midlands.
Without funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, these precious stories and cultural heritage might have been lost. Now, thanks to this Heritage Grant, and the support we have received from UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council and many others, the details of this local creative and cultural festival can be collated and shared with future generations.
This will all be presented in February 2025 alongside a new Lights of Leamington inspired community-focused lights festival currently in development. So please join in shining a light on this significant festival and help create a lasting legacy for the future.
More information about the open days and the history of this project is at www.lightsofleamington.co.uk. To have an informal discussion or volunteer at the
workshops please email: switchedonleam@gmail.com, or call Carole Sleight on 07768 617081.
by Stephanie Kerr | Aug 19, 2024 | Blogs
Bowls England is pleased to announce that all 18 days of Aviva National Finals (15 August – 1st September 2024) will be streamed online, and available for everyone to view free of charge, for the second year running.
Thanks to principal partner, Aviva, streaming will take place across the entire event, with up to 50 games available for spectators to watch online for free, on our dedicated streaming platform. This has all been made possible due to the unwavering success of last year, which saw 4 million minutes of bowls watched throughout the event, and thousands of new people engaging with our wonderful sport.
Coverage will include live commentary and interviews from an array of players and notable figures within the world of bowls. Our lead commentators for this year are Emily Ferguson, who has been a part of the Bowls England commentary team since 2021, has featured at the Indoor World Bowls Championships at Potters Resorts and took the stage at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games as an announcer. Josh Pounds, who has been the voice of many Indoor Bowls events including the Indoor World Bowls Championships. Finally, Nick Irvine, who comes with 35 years’ experience of sports commentating across a variety of events. Matches streamed will showcase world-class skill and rivalries from the top of the game, with an elevated spectator experience by prioritising Singles and Pairs, giving the viewer the best possible views of the events. Match fairness will be at the forefront of the decision-making regarding streamed matches, ensuring players are not on the same rink on the same day.
As one of the most inclusive sports in the world, we are proud to celebrate what makes us unique and will feature matches with a broad gender split and two of our Disability Bowls England fixtures.
This significant investment in streaming from both Bowls England and Aviva, aims to bring fans closer to the pinnacle of the bowls season, whilst reaching even more people across the length and breadth of the country.
Our live scoring platform will also return for the second year, so fans can stay up to date with all the action from across all five greens at the venue in Royal Leamington Spa.
Bowls England Chief Executive, Jon Cockcroft said, “We understand that streaming opportunities are greatly desired by the bowls community and have committed a significant investment, alongside support from Aviva, to provide our fans with another 18 days’ worth of streaming of this year’s Aviva National Finals. “As national governing body of this wonderful sport, we continue to strive for the best possible service to our community, as well as creating ways to grow the awareness of the game and reach new audiences. The investment that has been made is considerable, as such, we ask that the bowls community support this venture by encouraging friends Aviva: Public and family to tune in and engaging with content on the platform so we can continue to provide streaming to this extent in future years. “We thank Aviva for sharing in our vision to amplify our event, and hope that all spectators, whether visiting Royal Leamington Spa or tuning in via our streaming service, enjoy watching the world-class bowls on display.”
Doug Brown, CEO Insurance, Wealth & Retirement Aviva, said: “We were pleased to play a part in providing the Bowls family with a service that is so sought after, and are thrilled to be offering live streaming once again this year. We are proud to be a part of the Bowls England family and will always support in providing the best possible service to everyone, something we are committed to at Aviva. “We continually look to help enrich lives, connect communities, and enhance the health of future generations. With Bowls England’s similar ethos, we are happy to help push the boundaries of the sport.”
The streaming platform will be provided by Staylive, who have extensive experience in building purpose built streaming platforms for national governing bodies. The platform provides tracking capabilities, such as data capture and traffic numbers, which will help build further insight in a bid to secure future interest in streaming at events, as it has done for this second year of the Aviva National Finals.
You can tune in to the action each day at bowlsengland.com/bowlstv, as well as reliving the excitement from 2023. To see the action live – tickets start at £5.50 for adults and £2 for Under 18s for tickets bought in advance, and you can save around £3 per person if you book online ahead of your visit. Click here to book now.
If you fancy an elevated experience, why not try our hospitality offering? For just £78 per person, you can enjoy all the action whilst diving into a delectable food hamper from local producers, Farmer’s Fayre, and complimentary hot drinks and biscuits throughout your day – the perfect energy boost before you head on to the prestigious greens for a game of Bowls Bash – find out more here.
by Stephanie Kerr | May 21, 2024 | Blogs
Families and adventurers of all ages are invited to put on their explorer’s hats and keep their eyes peeled for a journey through Leamington Spa town centre with the Dino Trail, running from May 25th to June 2nd.
This fun event, organised by BID Leamington, will see participants embark on a quest through the town centre searching for hidden letters to uncover the name of a mighty dinosaur. Each checkpoint along the trail will challenge your dinosaur knowledge and reveal an important letter clue.
Are you ready to Explore, Discover, and Win!
Twelve retailers across the town centre are taking part in this prehistoric adventure, each providing some fun facts about dinosaurs (answers available in store) and a letter clue. Participants who successfully gather all the letter clues and complete the form will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a grand prize of £100 to spend in town, plus four runner-up prizes!
Entry forms can be picked up from the Royal Priors Shopping Centre, participating stores, and you can DOWNLOAD THE FORM HERE. Once you have completed the trail, you can drop off your form in the Dino box inside Coffee Break with the Royal Priors Shopping Centre,
Join the Dino Fun!
Alison Shaw, Project Manager at BID Leamington, said: “We’re thrilled to bring the Dino Trail to Leamington Spa. It’s a fantastic opportunity for families to enjoy a fun-filled adventure while exploring and supporting our wonderful town centre retailers. We’ve got some great prizes up for grabs and can’t wait to see everyone get involved in this exciting event.”
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to engage with the town and learn about dinosaurs. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious newcomer, the Dino Trail promises fun and excitement for all.
Event Details:
- Date: May 25th to June 2nd
- Location: Leamington Spa Town Centre
- Entry Forms Available At:
- Royal Priors Shopping Centre
- Participating stores
- Our website (downloadable link)
- LoveLeam App
Good luck, and happy exploring!
by Stephanie Kerr | Feb 22, 2024 | Blogs
Thirty selected guests from a local charity enjoyed a free three-course dinner at favourite French high street restaurant Bistrot Pierre this week, paid for by loyal customers.
As part of its annual Christmas initiative to support charity workers and those in need of support within the community, Bistrot Pierre hosted the dinner for Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services, which works to bring people together through community activities.
During the run-up to Christmas, Bistrot Pierre launched the scheme within its Leamington-based restaurant, which donated a free meal to somebody within its partnered charity, for every Sunday party booking of six people or more that was made, which resulted in 30 free three course meals offered.
“We had such a wonderful meal at Bistrot Pierre Leamington, for which we can only thank the team”, said Andi Horbury, a representative from the charity. “We felt extremely welcomed and nothing was too much trouble.
“All of our guests have expressed how enjoyable their time was, and what a great community project this has become. Our members are feeling the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis more and more, and for them to be able to come together for a community meal made all the difference to their mental health. Thank you to Bistrot Pierre.”
The charity undertakes community outreach supporting older residents in limited situations, who are often unable to leave their homes. The community service work tirelessly with nursing and hospice staff as well as residents, who often give their time on a voluntary basis.
Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services is one of 17 local charities that Bistrot Pierre has partnered with nationally in this initiative – all chosen for their support of those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and increased social isolation in their communities, from befriending schemes and dementia-focused musical programmes to housing and sight assistance initiatives.
“There is nothing more important than supporting our community”, says Vijay Patel, general manager of Bistrot Pierre Leamington Spa, “Our initiative has been designed to support those most in need in our local areas and celebrate our local Leamington community. With Christmas feeling like a distant memory, the New Year can be a challenging time of year for any resident, but for the most vulnerable amongst us, there has never been more need for us to open our doors and welcome each other in.
“We really enjoyed welcoming each and every guest from Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services for a much-needed treat and an opportunity to create lasting memories together.”
For further information about Bistrot Pierre and its support of local charities, please visit www.bistrotpierre.co.uk
