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
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 27, 2023 | Blogs
It’s never too early to start planning your festive celebrations, and Leamington town centre is the perfect place for a Christmas meal, whether with colleagues, friends or family.
Book now for a festive meal to suit everyone’s tastes, whether you go for a traditional Christmas meal, or a world food option from one of Leamington’s many restaurants serving cuisine from around the world.
The list is long but we’ve picked out 10 places to look at for your festive meal in Leamington, but head over to our full website for all the places you could choose. Just make sure you book early – it’s going to be a busy time in the town.
The Drawing Board
Always a popular choice for great food and fun, The Drawing Board has a special Christmas Party menu. Don’t forget to check out their trademark tapas too. Visit their website here.
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay is bringing a Caribbean Christmas to Leamington with two and three-course festive menus in what they call a ‘laid back festive feasting experience’. There’s also a bottomless brunch experience and their normal late-night happy hour. For more information, visit turtlebay.co.uk/christmas
The Royal Pug
Popular neighbourhood pub The Royal Pug serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, real ales, fine wines, cocktails, and Sunday roasts all year round and this festive season they’re adding Christmas menus as well as sharing planks to the offering. Check them out here.
Cote
Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or need space for a bigger group, Cote is offering a three-course festive menu available from 30th November to Christmas Eve. Visit their website here.
Casa Valle
For a Mediterranean feel to your Christmas meal, get booked in at Casa Valle for a two or three course meal with the option to add some fizz on arrival. You’ll find more information on their website.
Bistrot Pierre
For a French-inspired festive feast, head to Bistrot Pierre. They’ve got special festive menus plus drinks packages to accompany your special Christmas meal. Check out their website for all their offerings here.
Las Iguanas
Plan a festive fiesta at Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas. They’ve got something on the menu for everyone, from a two or three-course feast to the return of their late-night Bottomless Brunches. Find out more here.
Bedford Street
Boasting live music and a late bar, Bedford Street isn’t just a place for Christmas drinks, offering festive lunches and dinners as well as buffet options. You can even hire an igloo for your festive Christmas meal. Check out their website here.
The White Horse
The White Horse has put together a selection of great dishes to enjoy this festive season. They’ve got festive food menus as well as kids’ options and buffet choices too. Visit their website and start planning your Christmas meal in Leamington today.
Don’t forget to book in early for your festive meal in Leamington town centre. Check out all of Leamington’s food and drink venues on our Eat and Drink directory here.
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 23, 2023 | News
This December All Saints’ Church in Leamington will be transformed into a magical and dazzling Christmas wonderland from Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 December. The festival will open with a ‘relaxed session’ from 12 to 3pm for those with autism or SENS.
Whittle Productions, the local creative community events company, with Charles Craft from the church piloted the event last year. They welcomed over 3,000 visitors to enjoy these uniquely decorated Christmas trees whilst also supporting the on-site Ukrainian Tisto café and raising funds for the Ups of Downs Charity.
Carole Sleight and David Clargo from Whittle Productions say, ‘We want to create a sparkly festive event in a spectacular location and at the same time promote a wonderful cross section of not-for-profit organisations and local businesses.’
The 5-foot potted trees are supplied by Smith’s Nurseries in Baginton and when you sponsor one its yours to keep or gift on. The trees cost £40 for a charity or not for profit and £60 for a business. The Enchanted Tea Rooms in Leamington will again be sponsoring a large memory tree, where visitors can dedicate a message to a loved one and hang it on this special tree.
The festival is supported by BID Leamington and Councillor Sidney Syson, Leamington Town Council also awarded the festival a community grant for the creation of 5 bespoke trees which will be made with a local school, care homes and community groups. There will be prizes for the most sparkly, upcycled and one with the best back story. The judges BBC Presenter Mary Rhodes, Father Christopher from All Saints’ Church and The Chair of Warwick District Council, Cllr. Sidney Syson will have a busy time selecting from the stunning creations.
This year the festival will be fundraising for local charity Helping Hands who have sponsored 2 trees to represent their Esther project which supports women in our community who are facing challenges such as domestic abuse or homelessness and Elijah’s Rest, a support group for vulnerable men. Lianne Kirkman, Director of Helping hands says ‘We are delighted to be taking part as it’s an opportunity to meet and engage with people and talk about the work we do at Helping Hands supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community. ‘
If you’d like to sponsor a tree then email leamtreefest@gmail.com) entry to the festival is £2, under 18’s entry is free. All are invited to come and experience the magic!
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 16, 2023 | News
Christmas is coming early to Leamington Spa, as Bistrot Pierre once again teams-up with local charity Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services to donate meals to residents who may be in need this festive season.
Leamington Spa diners celebrating with friends and family by eating out this Christmas, will also be contributing towards a free restaurant meal for a resident in their community.
For every Sunday Christmas party booking of six people or more in December, Bistrot Pierre, will gift a free Menu Pierre three-course meal to a Leamington Spa resident, redeemable throughout January 2024. This initiative comes after a year that has seen an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, and an increase in those relying on charity support[1]. According to independent think tank The Resolution Foundation, studies have found that a further 1.3 million people have been pushed into poverty during 2023[2], in addition to increased social isolation.
The Christmas initiative by French restaurant Bistrot Pierre, first introduced last year, will donate dinners to well-deserving Leamington Spa residents, nominated by local charity Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services, providing a place for the community to gather and celebrate the festive season together.
The Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services community outreach has been chosen for its support of 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.
“We have worked within our community for nearly 30 years, supporting those whose circumstances often mean they are often isolated”, says Andi Horbury from the Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services. “We felt so welcomed by the Bistrot Pierre team last year and are grateful to be partnering again this year. The day helped bring people together and made our volunteers and older residents feel noticed.
“We wish to thank all those who give their time for the support of our vulnerable residents, from nursing and hospice staff to anyone who has volunteered with us.”
“We are delighted to be welcoming back our community charity partners this Christmas”, says Bistrot Pierre’s CEO Nick White. “Community is at the heart of what we do and as families continue to struggle with the cost-of-living this Christmas, we want to open our doors and welcome those most in need to enjoy a well-deserved and much-needed treat on us.
“We hope customers will want to get involved and make a difference to the lives of vulnerable residents in Leamington Spa. We are still taking bookings for our Christmas period, so we’re encouraging customers to try and be as generous as possible and enjoy a little bit of festive fun with us, which will also help those residents most in need in the area.
“It goes without saying, that we want to say thank you to Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Services for all the incredible work they do for the Leamington Spa community. And most importantly, we hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!”
For further information about Bistrot Pierre and to book a table this Christmas, please visit: www.bistrotpierre.co.uk. For more information about the Warwick Proud Elderly Welfare Service please visit www.facebook.com/WarwickProudWelfare/
[1] www.charitylink.net/blog/cost-of-living-crisis-impact-uk-charities#:~:text=86%25%20of%20charitable%20organisations%20are,increased%20demand%20for%20their%20services
[2] www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/inflation-nation/#:~:text=As%20a%20result%2C%20a%20further,projected%20to%20recovery%20swiftly%20from.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 23, 2023 | News
Families are being invited to get creative ahead of a much-loved Leamington event which lights up the town to welcome in the festive season.
Leamington’s 13th annual Lantern Parade is set to be held on December 3 and will see hundreds of residents and visitors parade homemade paper lanterns through the town in a dazzling display.
This year’s event has an optional ‘Magical Creatures’ theme, and six free lantern frame-making workshops are being held where people can get inspiration and craft their creations.
The workshops, starting this weekend, will be held from 11am to 3pm on October 29, November 1, November 5, November 11, November 19 and November 25 in the former Top Man unit in the Lower Mall of Royal Priors Shopping Centre.
Workshops will be run on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants should allow one to two hours to make a frame, which can then be finished off at home.
The Lantern Parade is inspired by ‘The Lights of Leamington’ event, which lit up Jephson Gardens from 1951 to 1961.
It is organised by BID Leamington with the support of local businesses, and this year Whittle Productions, a local Community Interest Company (CIC), will also be supporting the delivery of the event.
The lantern frame-making workshops are being sponsored by Art Friends Warwickshire, a not-for-profit organisation which supports the development of artistic skills in the town.
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, said: “The Lantern Parade is a beautiful event that families look forward to every year.
“We absolutely love seeing the creations that are made and we know we are going to see something special this year.
“We are delighted to be hosting the workshops in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre ahead of this year’s event in December, which will not only feature our spectacular parade, but will also welcome some new entertainment.
“As always, we wish to thank our supporters – the local businesses, sponsors, artists and volunteers who make this possible.”
Carole Sleight, of Whittle Productions, added: “We are excited to welcome everyone to six exciting ‘Magical Creatures’ lantern-making workshops and can’t wait to see what creatures emerge from these artist-led making sessions.”
For those making their creations at home, lantern-making packs can also be purchased from the BID Leamington offices in Park Street from Monday to Friday.
For more information, including how to build a lantern, visit www.leamingtonlanternparade.co.uk
Image Caption: Preparing for lantern making from left to right: Carole Sleight, of Whittle Productions; Stephanie Kerr, of BID Leamington; Ali Mckellar, of Sambassadors of Groove; Nicci Selby, one of the workshop facilitators; David Howells, of Art Friends Warwickshire and artist Diana Fallowes.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 19, 2023 | News
Royal Leamington Spa Town Council and the Leamington in Bloom Group are delighted to announce that the town has been awarded a Gold award in the regional Heart of England in Bloom competition, ‘Small City’ category.
The awards event was held at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall on Thursday 5th October, where the Mayor of Leamington Spa, Cllr Alan Boad, was present and collected the award.
The Heart of England judges visited several locations of the town on 4th July. In a change from recent years, where the focus has been on formal floral displays, the Judges were shown around various community green spaces, including Foundry Wood, Dale Street Methodist Church ‘Good News’ Garden and Wych Elm Wood. The Friends of Leamington Station put on a beautiful display as did the id-verde and WDC teams at the ever-popular Jephson Gardens. The much-admired floral trains in both of those locations, with colours chosen to celebrate the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, were outstanding as usual.
Mayor Alan Boad said: “This is excellent news for our beautiful town and I congratulate and thank those who work so hard all year round to make Leamington Spa colourful and welcoming. I also applaud the growth of community gardening which plays an every-increasing part in the physical and emotional well-being of our residents. My thanks go to the Leamington in Bloom Committee who work to make our entry into this competition possible, the groups that took part, the commitment of the Town Council and the hard work of the Green Spaces Team at the District Council who helped to achieve the Gold award this year
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 12, 2023 | News
Local visual arts organisation Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre is turning aluminium into sculpture and needs your donations. They are reaching out to the community and asking you to separate out your recycled aluminium and donate it to their art project.
Please deliver to Leamington Town Centre between 13th and 26th October:
1) 35c Park Court, Park St., CV32 4QN (look out for wheelie bin in Park Court, opposite Pierre Bistro)
2) Foundry Wood, Princes Drive (donation bin next to the Railway Wagon at the entrance, 10 – 4 pm).
For larger donations please email admin@pangaeasculptoracentre.com and they can collect.
Pangaea is looking to collect 75kg of aluminium in total. Please give it a clean and strip off any non-metal parts. Collect with your children – a great way to get them engaged with sustainability and recycling.
How can you tell what metal is aluminium?
Aluminium is generally dull in colour, matt and with a slight texture (as opposed to stainless steel, for example, which is relatively shiny). It is soft and so will scratch easily with a key. It is resistant to corrosion and rust and it is non-magnetic so the easiest way to test for aluminium at home is with a magnet. Examples of aluminium include drinks cans, food tins, some curtain rails, railings, lamp bases, ends of lighting tubes, metal edging strips on construction boards.
Join us to see your metal transformed into sculpture. Meltdown: From Trash to Treasure is a free, drop-in event taking place on 4 November, 1-5 pm at the Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5AA.
This event is produced by Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre and supported by Warwick District Council, BID Leamington and Foundry Wood.
Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre is a not-for-profit that promotes and enriches wider public engagement with sculpture through educational, critical and cultural programming. Pangaea believes in the transformative power of art. It is committed to broadening access and participation by taking sculpture out of the gallery and into public space, offering news ways for it to be experienced and enjoyed that better connect to people’s lives.
For further information please contact:Lucy TomlinsDirector, Pangaea Sculptors’ CentreLucy@pangaeasculptorscentre.com+44 (0) 7814019384www.pangaeasculptorscente.com | @pangaeacentre
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 6, 2023 | News
A new beauty and wellness brand with a focus on natural and sustainable products has launched in the heart of Leamington.
Balm Leamington has officially opened its doors in Regent Street after successfully trading as a franchise of Neal’s Yard Remedies for the last 16 years.
Joint owners Wendy Ashworth and Matt Crooks made the decision to go independent to expand and improve the store’s offering to customers.
It has undergone a complete transformation and features a wide selection of natural and organic skincare and wellness products and offers a number of free in-store services include skincare consultations, wellness consultations, aromatherapy blending, gift service and makeovers.
As well as continuing to offer the complete range of Neal’s Yard products, Balm now offers brand new products including natural make up, sustainable palm-free soaps, natural suncreams, luxury hand rolled incense and a range of organic teas.
Balm therapy rooms also provide a wide range of treatments, with a team of 14 therapists offering everything from facials and massage to talking therapies, all in support of health and wellbeing.
Wendy said: “At the heart of our business is the remarkable healing and restorative power of plants and we have transformed the shop to create a look and feel in keeping with our brand ethos.
“It is an experiential place where people can come and try products, feel nurtured and get advice. We are passionate about helping people find the best natural solutions for their needs and pride ourselves on the fantastic level of service we offer.”
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, said: “We are delighted to welcome Balm to our high street.
“The team have been a trusted source of health and wellbeing advice, products and services for many years and this transition only improves this offer.
“It is fantastic that Leamington is a town which can support independent shops and eateries to thrive.
“We have a number of other new openings as well, so we urge our community to rediscover and support our town centre in the coming months.”
During October, the store will be offering an opening month treat, with customers receiving a £12 gift with purchases over £10.
Find Balm at 106 Regent Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4NR.
Or visit them online at www.balmleamington.com or on Instagram: @balmleamington
