Here is a roundup of the biggest stories from the news in Kenilworth this December.

Alongside a host of planning applications, and a number of high profile council decisions, the last four weeks have seen Nub News cover everything from HS2 and fundraisers to local business successes.

Community News

Ben Askey was the winner on the day as the country's oldest cyclo-cross returned to Kenilworth on Boxing Day.

Kenilworth's Edmonds Jewellers has taken home the prize of 'Best Duck' in the annual competition organised by the Kenilworth Lions Club. The duck race itself was also a huge success with hundreds of residents lining the brook to enjoy the festive event.

A bride to be whose engagement sparked a social media frenzy has said it has been a "crazy" few weeks.

Businesses around Kenilworth have been getting in the festive spirit, with many around the town centre decorating themselves in time for Christmas.

Castle Home Luxuries has been transformed for Christmas (image by Nub News)

A school academy trust has been fined £300,000 after a 19-year-old student died as a result of a "series of management failures".

The future of a 'portrait bench' which memorialises a local man widely regarded as the inventor of the modern bicycle remains in doubt, due to HS2 works.

Kenilworth's Talisman Theatre is "delighted to share" its first-ever relaxed performance for the 2024 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, written by Stephen Duckham.

Police

The family of a 21-year-old man who was found dead at a Kenilworth home over the weekend have released a tribute to him.

A teenage driver has died in a crash on Banbury Road, Gaydon this December.

An interactive map, created by Nub News, shows where crimes have been reported around Kenilworth.

A man has been jailed by Warwick Crown Court after subjecting a woman to an 18 month rape and torture ordeal which involved beating her with a hammer and pouring boiling water over her. 

Farnaz Farabi has been jailed for 19 years (image via West Midlands Police)

A 22-year-old driver who had no licence or insurance has been handed three suspended prison sentences after causing the death of a 75-year-old grandmother by careless/inconsiderate driving last year.

Police reported on December 12 they had found a body during the search for missing man John Taylor. Officers and a huge number of volunteers had spent the week before trying to find the missing 86-year-old.

A spate of car thefts in Kenilworth is likely down to "serious organised crime gangs", local police have revealed.

A Burton Green drug dealer who claimed to have "fiya batches of brand-new yayo" and who was arrested after he failed to stop a stolen Peugeot while driving drunk has been sentenced to six years in prison.

New build homes in Kenilworth have once again been targeted by thieves over the past few weeks.

Business News

Eight local eateries and shops have been given five-star food hygiene ratings this December by the Food Standards Agency.

Renowned Malaysian restaurant Raffles is inviting customers to ring in the New Year with an exciting 25% discount.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has apologised after telling Kenilworth Lions' fundraisers they could not sell tickets for the annual duck race in its local store.

A new Kenilworth restaurant has hit the ground running since opening its doors for the first time this December.

The Ark has opened at The Square (image by James Smith)

The approval of plans to turn Talisman Square's car park in flats and shops is "not the Christmas present the town wanted" - local councillors have said.

A closing down sale is well underway at the Homebase store at Leamington Shopping Park.

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