Kenilworth's 2024 in 12 stories and photographs
Having published over 1,500 stories about Kenilworth last year, we have picked one story from each month to help summarise 2024.
Our same story last year included local elections, a new headteacher at Kenilworth School (and its opening), plus a Spitfire flying in the skies over town.
This year the news was dominated by new businesses, HS2's exploits and some sadder news items.
Here is our rundown of 2024 in 12 stories and photographs - one for each month.
January
Among a number of new businesses opening in Kenilworth this year (which we will cover in a separate piece), Nub News has closely followed the progress of B&M coming to town.
After breaking the news that the discount retailer was taking over from Wilko on Station Road, we then revealed the opening date - which was announced in January.
The store eventually opened on Thursday 7 March following an extensive refit.
February
One of the saddest stories we have had to cover this year came in February when Nub News broke the news that an investigation had been launched after a man died following an incident at a local lorry factory.
Father-of-two Richard Hopkins was taken to hospital with head injuries on the morning of Wednesday 14 February, after the incident at Dennis Eagle's Heathcote base.
Warwickshire Police said the 39-year-old from Kenilworth died in hospital, and a joint investigation was launched with the Health and Safety Executive.
March
March saw work resume on the new Abbey Fields swimming pools after months of delays and negotiations.
The project - which is now not expected to be completed until 2026 - will set Warwick District Council back some £22 million.
The huge increase in costs has been blamed on rising prices for materials, with the project originally having a budget of £8.5 million.
The new cost also does not feature the price of the new tennis courts or duck feeding station.
Kier began on site again in March 2024, and is currently on schedule to complete the project in September 2026.
April
A gang who forced Kenilworth's Tesco to close for months after trying to break into its cash machine was jailed for a combined 30 years in April.
West Midlands Police announced the four men were jailed after targeting ATM's across the region.
In the early hours of September 30 2023 emergency services were called to the Leyes Lane supermarket where thieves had set fire to the shop while trying to break into the cash machine.
Tesco Express did not reopen again until December that year.
At Birmingham Crown Court on Monday 8 April the four men were jailed.
May
May saw the news that an empty unit in the centre of Kenilworth was due to be given a new lease of life as the former HSBC bank would be turned into two new businesses.
After months of work on site at The Square, both have now opened with Edmonds Jewellers and Morning Sunshine Coffee opening in November.
Both have already proved a big hit, with the coffee shop getting much publicity through its sign in the window which mocked a comment on Facebook community group Kenilworth Vibes saying 'Not another coffee shop, bloody madness'.
June
Residents turned out in their hundreds to clap and cheer the Kenilworth Carnival parade as it made its way through the town at the end of June.
This year's parade and funfair had an extra importance as the historic community event nearly did not take place.
Having originally been told they could not host the funfair in its usual place in Abbey Fields, organisers spent weeks trying to find a resolution with Warwick District Council.
Multiple options were considered but eventually it was agreed the funfair could move to the other side of Abbey Fields.
And with the event able to take place, the marching band led the convoy of decorated floats around Abbey Fields, along Station Road and then through the town centre.
Meanwhile, the funfair was absolutely packed in its new location across the carnival weekend.
July
As with the rest of the country, July's news was dominated by the general election.
Sir Jeremy Wright was re-elected as the MP for Kenilworth and Southam, but his majority was cut.
The Conservative former attorney general took 19,395 votes in Kenilworth and Southam, around 6,500 more than second-placed Cat Price (Labour).
Jenny Wilkinson received 10,464 votes for the Liberal Democrats.
August
No roundup of Kenilworth news stories could be complete without a mention of HS2.
While the high speed rail developers submitted a host of planning applications in 2024, and put a huge number of road closures in place, we have decided to focus on the plans for a 1.3km cutting around Kenilworth which were revealed in August.
The high speed rail developer has asked Warwick District Council to sign off on proposals for the 1.3km cutting from Dalehouse Lane to the B4115 in Stoneleigh.
Plans show the cutting will be crossed by the A46 via the new bridge which has already been signed off by the council.
The cutting will have a maximum depth of 14 metres and will run alongside Kenilworth Golf Club.
The application says the club was consulted on certain parts of the design.
September
September saw the sad news that Dogs Trust Kenilworth was forced to temporarily close after a disease fatal to dogs was discovered.
The centre closed from September 10 until Saturday 28 after cases of Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) were confirmed.
The temporary closure meant that many of the dogs that were ready to find a new home have had to spend much longer in kennels than hoped.
Dogs Trust Kenilworth issued an urgent rehoming appeal following the reopening calling on people to "help find these dogs new homes and change their lives".
October
The latest chapter in the running saga around The Cottage came in October as the closed pub was put on the market.
Having only reopened in December 2023 under the management of Jack Stock and partner Tash Winstone, the Stoneleigh Road pub shut in the summer.
Having been marketed for yet another tenant since, owner Wells & Co has now put the pub on the market for £500,000.
Before its most recent closure, The Cottage had been shut since November 2021 when previous landlord Nick Griffin bizarrely blamed local residents for the pub having to close.
Mr Griffin had himself reopened the pub just months beforehand following another lengthy closure.
November
Selling was clearly the theme of the autumn in Kenilworth with the news that a huge section of land along the greenway was sold.
The 62.19 acres of farmland behind Coventry Road went under the hammer with a guide price of £600,000.
The land - which borders the Kenilworth Greenway on one side and the HS2 works around Coventry Road on the other side - was sold by property agent Earles.
It is not clear who has bought the land, with the Earles website simply saying it was sold for £1,020,000.
December
The final month of the year brought the sad news that the body of 86-year-old John Taylor was found near Kenilworth Castle.
After over a week of searching from police, volunteers and members of the local community, the sad announcement was made on December 12.
Mr Taylor was first reported missing on Tuesday 3 December and was said to have fallen into the water near Abbey Fields.
While the outcome of the search was of course the worst news possible, the support and community spirit of the town in trying to find Mr Taylor has rightly been praised.
New kenilworth Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: kenilworth jobs
Share:
