Kenilworth Nub News aims to be supportive to every element of the community, from businesses, shops, and people, to charities, clubs and sports organisations.

We will be profiling some of these local businesses, and groups regularly over the coming weeks in a feature called 'Up Close With'

So far, we have spoken to five different people during this series, finding out about their lives, their businesses, and their experiences of Kenilworth.

Today we are going to have a quick look back at the first five in the series, in case you missed any of them.

Kenilworth singer-songwriter Darcy Blu

The first person we spoke to was Kenilworth-born Darcy Blu, shortly after the release of her new single 'Closure'.

Darcy Blu is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter, currently plying her trade in London, where she has lived since she was 19.

Darcy's first live performance was in fact at the Priory Theatre in Kenilworth, aged nine, when she and her sister were part of a talent show, organised by the Abbostford School which she attended.

"My parents always encouraged me to play music, I've played piano since I can remember, and played saxophone for about six or seven years during school.

Darcy has been making the most of the lockdown period, working on a number of tracks which are due to be released later this year.

Read the full piece here.

Cartwright Creates, the local artist being inspired by his new home town

Our second interview in the series was with social media sensation, artist Jay Cartwright, the man behind Cartwright Creates.

Jay had recently moved to Kenilworth, and was using his allotted exercise time during lockdown to explore the town, and learn some more about where he now lives.

Having dabbled with painting some of the local buildings, he has started taking commissions and has been blown away by the response of the local community.

"The people of Kenilworth have inspired me, and I very much see this as giving back to them"

If you would like to see some of his work, or learn more about Jay, click here to read the full interview.

Forrest Coffee House, more than just a café

Our third interview was with new business owner Molly Shanahan, and her boyfriend Alex Clohessy, discovering all about Forrest Coffee House, which is due to open in the The Square this autumn.

Molly and Alex are realising their dream of running their own café – but this is no normal coffee shop.

Built on the ideas of sustainability, and the community, they intend to stock local produce, and support local businesses.

This as well as a plethora of other new ideas that will set Forrest aside from the rest!

Find out here all about Molly and Alex's story.

Elizabeth L. Dripping, the author and artist bringing Kenilworth to life

The books of Elizabeth L. Dripping were the focus of our fourth feature.

Ahead of the release of her sixth children's book, Elizabeth told us all about her passion for painting and how it had led her to publish her own books, as a chance to showcase her own work.

All of her works follow an environmental theme, and feature real places in Kenilworth and the surrounding towns, with every drawing in every book done by her.

None of her books have been made for profit.

Once all of her costs are covered, she donates the rest of the money to the Friends of Abbey Fields. She has been a member of the community group for some time, helping with litter picking and maintaining the park for everybody to enjoy.

Find out more here.

Yaya's Paella's bringing a slice of Spain to Kenilworth

The most recent Up Close With was published this week, after we spoke to the owners of the newest takeaway in Kenilworth, Yaya's Paella's.

Peter Lancett and his wife Raquel moved to Kenilworth eighteen months ago. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Peter lost his job.

Whilst on holiday in Spain, staying with Raquel's family, Peter got talking to his mother-in-law Amalia, about a paella delivery service in the UK.

He then spent the next six weeks being taught everything there was to know about paella by Amalia, herself a ten year Valencian paella champion.

Back in the UK Peter and Raquel have repurposed some of their garage to become a commercial kitchen, from which they make five different styles of paella to deliver to the people of Kenilworth.

Balancing good service, authentic cooking and flavours, and delivering a spectacle to their customers, Yaya's Paella's really offers something different to its customers.

To find out more, click here.

Have you got a story to tell? Want your business to be featured in Up Close With? Get in touch with our editor James Smith by emailing [email protected]