News in Kenilworth

Following the success of last year's inaugural 'Spark' event for the creative sector, Warwick District Council's Arts Section has announced that the full programme of sessions and speakers for Spark 2021 is now live.

The online event will be taking place this year from Monday 22 to Friday 26 February.

Another free art exhibition for Kenilworth in 2021 is currently available in the empty 'Poundland' unit on Warwick Road.

Organised by Jacqui Smithson and other Kenilworth Artists with the help of Becky Webb from the Kenilworth Arts Festival, the exhibition is currently displaying the work of five local creatives who are part of the group. The window will be refreshed on March 8 to give another five artists the space to exhibit their work until the beginning of April.

Kenilworth Round Table has announced that its annual Santa float raised over £5,500 for local causes at the end of 2020 despite the Covid-19 restrictions in place.

Starting on 3 December, Santa toured the streets of Kenilworth on 11 different nights in the run up to Christmas, collecting £5,635 in donations.

Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust's (CWPT's) vaccination roving team have been out vaccinating the vulnerable and elderly housebound residents in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

CWPT's roving vaccination team are supporting the local Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to deliver the Covid-19 vaccination to residents who are unable to visit their GP or local vaccination centre to ensure they receive the Covid-19 vaccination to protect them against the virus.

The Kenilworth Lido Campaign Group has reacted to the decision by the Executive of Warwick District Council to approve an amended recommendation in respect of the two leisure facilities in Kenilworth.

The decision at last week's (February 11) meeting means that the Abbey Fields Leisure Centre and Castle Farm Recreation Centre will not automatically remain shut at the end of the current Covid-19 lockdown prior to their expected demolition in September.

Warwickshire Police's Commercial Vehicle Unit has won a national award from Highways England for the second year running in recognition of the dedication of officers in achieving 'Top Performing Force 2020' in the country for Operation Tramline.

During Operation Tramline, officers use a specially-adapted HGV 'supercab' owned by Highways England to observe driver behaviours in all vehicles and deal with any offences on Warwickshire's road network.

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have expressed their thanks to the dedicated Warwickshire 4x4 Volunteers Group for their ongoing support. The volunteer group have not only assisted the trust with bad weather conditions but also throughout the whole year, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With over 150 enthusiastic volunteers, the group have offered crucial support to the trust during the snowy weather the area has seen over the last couple of weeks, helping healthcare staff get to hospitals and clinics despite heavy snowfall and flooding. Previously, the community spirited drivers have helped transport nurses to patient's homes to ensure local people received the treatment they needed.

From Monday 15 February to Sunday 14 March, staff and students from Kenilworth School will be lacing up their trainers and clocking up the miles to raise money for NHS Charities Together.

The 'Kenilworth School Running Challenge' was set up to help protect the mental health of students during the lockdown period, encouraging them to get outside and keep active.

Crime drama series, The Serpent, has proved a great success since it came to our screens in January. But the man who produced the hit TV series advises you not to watch it on your own!

It was developed by Mammoth Screen for BBC One and Netflix and tells the story of how conman and murderer Charles Sobhraj, played by Tahar Rahim, was eventually caught with his girlfriend Marie-Andree Leclerc, played by Jenna Coleman.

VisitBritain CEO Sally Balcombe writes for Nub News:

As we approach the February half term, a time when many of us would usually have been looking forward to a short-break away, the impact on the industry and the economy from the loss of tourism again comes into sharp focus.