Althorpe Innovation and Enterprise Centre
Posted: 19th August
Bricklaying is a new skill I have been asked to undertake this week! Hard hats and fluorescent jackets were in abundance as I was handed a trowel.
In Autumn 2004 an initial application was made for funding for an Innovation and Enterprise Centre in Althorpe Street in Leamington. In 2006 funding of £890,350 was approved by Advantage West Midlands and the project commenced in December 2007. In May 2008 further funding was awarded to cover inflationary cost increases making the total budget £959,518.
This new centre when completed will create office and desk space for hi –tech and creative Industries. Space will be provided for up to 40 small businesses and 60 jobs at full capacity. It will be open for business in February 2009. Partners in the project from Regenesis who undertook the first feasibility study, Advantage West Midlands, those involved with building the centre, representatives and councillors from the county council and the district council joined me on site to celebrate the official ceremony to mark the start of the build.
The Warwick District Enterprise team will advise and support the businesses along with Business Link West Midlands. Along with the refurbishment of the Railway Arches this is a big step forward in the regeneration of this area of Warwick District.
Bricklaying at the Althorpe Innovation Centre
Cruise and Dine
Posted: 8th August
If you want a pleasant way to spend a few hours I can fully recommend a cruise and dine along the Grand Union Canal.
The Prince Regent 2 narrow boat cruises through our lovely countryside between Radford Semele and Bascote at 4mph negotiating three locks along the way. We were able to stop for a short while to stretch our legs along the tow path.
Civic guests, councillors and friends joined my husband and I for a three course lunch and cruise on Sunday 3rd August. The event was held to help raise funds for my chosen charities Myton Hospice and Safeline. I also discovered that the Vice-Chairman of Warwick District, Councillor Norman Pratt, and I both share the same birthday this week so it was an opportunity for us to celebrate our birthdays together.
One of the guests emailed me to say "The Cruise and Dine on the PR2 was a great success. The boat was first class, the meal was likewise and the company was very fine."
The Prince Regent 2 narrow boat can seat up to 42 people and you can hire the whole restaurant for example for a private party, wedding reception or works meal. Or you can book for a small number of guests as you would any restaurant.
For further details about the Prince regent 2 cruise and dine please visit www.pr2restaurant.co.uk.
On board the narrowboat
Whitnash Windmill Petanque Competition
Posted: 7th August
The first petanque open Triples event on a brand new terrain was held at Whitnash Windmill Petanque Club on 27th July.
The competition attracted 20 triples from places as far apart as Aberdeen and Letchworth. The gold competition was won by a team from Stockton. I was very pleased to be asked to present the prizes.
The new court was laid out in April at the Sports and Social Club, Heathcote Road, Whitnash. Earth from the location has been used to provide a bund in Acre Close Fields to help prevent flooding. Praise must go to the volunteers who moved the earth and laid the courts.
I have played this game in France when on a Twinning visit. The sport is gaining popularity in this country. I had been on a civic visit to Hampshire all day in very hot conditions, so declined the kind offer to stay for a game!
If you are interested in trying out the game you will be made most welcome by the club on Monday evenings from 7pm and Friday afternoons from 2pm.
To find out more about petanque visit www.englishpetanque.org.uk/
Warwick District Council has two petanque terrains which are one for the public to use. They are at Castle Farm Leisure Centre, in Kenilworth and St Nicholas Park in Warwick.
Bowls England Women’s National Championships
Posted: 6th August
On 26th July I attended the opening ceremony of the Bowls England Women’s National Championships at Victoria Park.
This was the Women’s Bowls 71st Championship and the first time they took place in Leamington was in 1975. This year’s event was the first championship since the unification of the Ladies and Men’s outdoor associations. Warwick district had previously hosted the Women’s Worlds Bowls Championship in 1996 and 2004.
After raising the tournament flag and taking the first bowl with the President of Bowls England, Angela Harris, the event got under way. Competitors from all over the country take part during the two weeks and I have met representatives from 35 different county associations.
The ladies are welcome visitors to our district and many residents will see them in our towns and villages during the championships when they are not on the greens.
For more information on bowling can be found at www.bowlsengland.com.
Chairman’s Challenge
Posted: 6th August
After just nine weeks of the Chairman’s challenge to swim, walk, cycle or gym the distance of the district boundary I am half way to reaching the 72 miles!
Despite a knee injury sustained before the challenge began that has restricted the amount of exercise I can undertake, without my knee swelling to double the size, I have so far kept to the weekly target.
With the help of a friend for support, I've managed to swim 32 lengths every week instead of the 20 I used to do. After starting with walking, due to time pressures I have spent more time on the bike in the gym. Before I started at the gym I was taken through an induction of all the equipment by the leisure centre staff.
My fitness levels are slowly rising and I am now able to raise the level of effort needed to progress to a different level.
If you interested in undertaking the same challenge there is still plenty of time to do so. For further information and/or an entry form please contact roma.armstrong@warwickdc.gov.uk. There are prizes for the most unusual way of completing the 72 miles.
If you are unable to undertake the challenge yourself perhaps you would sponsor me and help me to raise funds for my chosen charities, Myton Hospice and Safeline. Please send any donations to the Chairman’s P.A. Roma Armstrong at Warwick District Council, Members’ Services, Riverside House Milverton Hill Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 5HZ.
If you are interested in joining a Warwick District Council gym please visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/leisure
Opening of the Cliff Cleaver Community Pavilion
Posted: 23rd July
On Saturday 19th July I was invited to the official opening of the Cliff Cleaver Community Pavilion by the Chairman of Cubbington Parish Council, Councillor Mrs Theresa Saul.
In 2004 it was agreed by Cubbington Parish Council that a replacement was needed for the old prefabricated pavilion building being used by the football team and the youth club.
A new £100,000 log cabin, partly funded by Warwick District Council, was officially opened by the person it is named after, Cliff Cleaver. Councillor Cliff Cleaver has represented Cubbington in all areas of local government over the last 40 years and as a former footballer it was entirely appropriate that the new building carries his name.
Invited guests and residents were shown around the new building that will be used and run by a number of the village organisations.
Parish contact details
Race for Life
Posted: 22nd July
I was pleased to be asked to start the Race for Life on Warwick Race Course on Tuesday 15th July. Vice-Chairman Councillor Norman Pratt started the race on the following evening.
This annual women only event raises cash for Cancer Relief and over 2000 people took part over the two evenings.
The Race Course was a perfect setting for the 3.5 mile challenge. The first runner came home between 20 and 25 minutes later. Jogging and walking the course is also acceptable and as I left I observed families walking the course together.
There were many personal reasons why people took part either as survivors of cancer themselves or in memory of friends and family who have not.
It takes many hours organising events such as these and both organisers and those taking part deserve to be supported and commended.
For more information go to www.raceforlife.org
Royal Show and Royal Visitors
Posted: 17th July
After last year’s wet weather the invite for the chairman to visit the Royal Show was received and accepted with the thought that a raincoat and umbrella may be needed. Not only was it not needed as the day was very hot and sunny, but royal visitors were to attend as well.
Having been briefed as to our position in the welcome line up, my husband Stephen and I were introduced by the Lord Lieutenant Martin Dunne to His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
I first visited the Royal Show as a schoolgirl forty years ago so when the royal visitors moved off to be shown around we took the opportunity to observe how it has grown and branched out over the years. Horses were being exhibited and judged in one show ring whilst sheepdogs herding geese were exhibited in a make shift pen whose boundary consisted of local school children. Wonderful smells came from the many food exhibitions and stalls. Country style furniture, grand gazebos and clothes from riding coats to silk ties were available.
The show is enjoyed by residents and brings visitors both from this county and abroad to the area and while livestock was limited due to Bluetongue restrictions there was still plenty to see.
The royal show is just one of the events hosted at the Stoneleigh Ground during the year. For more information visit www.royalshow.org.uk and www.stoneleighpark.com
Prince of Wales meets Judy Falp
Clocking on
Posted: 15th July
It was very pleased to be asked to open the Clocking on Exhibition at the Art Gallery at the Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa.
As a former employee who clocked on at one of the employers mentioned - Automotive Products - I looked forward to seeing the exhibits and watching and listening to people’s experiences. There was a work force of 7500 when I joined the company at the age of 15. Like so many others I met my future husband there (in fact he still works for Delphi Auto who took over part of the business). Whitnash, that I represent as a councillor, was and still is the place that many employees lived and the town grew with the company.
My father worked at Pottertons one of the other firms mentioned. I have no personal connections with Flavels and Fords though living in the district all my life I had friends and neighbours who did.
This social history event is well worth visiting and is being held until 7th September.
Further information is available on the Pump Rooms website.
8th Leamington Grand Prix
Posted: 1st July
On Sunday 15th June I joined competitors and spectators in Victoria Park for the 8th Leamington Race Walking Grand Prix. Competitors from 20 countries took part in 50, 20 and 10km races. There were also 1 lap and 2km races for under 11s and under 13s and 15s. For some competitors it was the last chance to gain qualifying times for the Beijing Olympics.
Race walking has been hosted in Warwick district for 20 years. The event this year staged the first ever Anglo-Celtic Cup and for the first time the Irish Championships
were held outside Ireland.
Along with the chairman of Athletics Ireland I gave out medals and prizes to the top three in each race. Events such as these would not be possible without a dedicated band of volunteers, who keep times and distances, give out water and juice to the competitors and take on the organisation needed to stage an international event.
Race walking is just one of the events assisted by the Leisure department of Warwick District Council.
2008 Mobility Road Show
Posted: 20th June 2008
Being able to get around easily is something most of us take for granted. Some of our residents need assistance through the latest technology to enable them to lead an independent life.
I was invited to attend the 2008 Mobility Roadshow being held over three days between 12th-14th June at Stonleigh Park. Organised by the charity Mobility Choice and supported by the Department of Transport this event has grown into the U.K’s most popular mobility and life style event.
This is the 25th year that the event has been held and the first time in has been held in our district. As well as test driving adapted and specialist vehicles and checking out all the latest mobility innovations there was remote-control mini quad bikes and a 7-metre accessible climbing wall. I did not get chance to have a go in my favourite vehicle a high performance motorcycle trike designed specifically for manual and wheelchair users, but I was allowed to try out a mobility scooter. More information can be found at www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk
Royal Leamington Guild of Guides Summer Walks
Posted: 10th June
I was invited to the first of this year's guided walks around Leamington Spa. The walks have been lead by volunteers from the Royal Leamington Spa Guild of Guides for over 20 years. My last time on a guided walk was 20 years ago so I looked forward to being reminded of the characters and benefactors of the town and to observe the examples of Regency and Victorian architecture.
Having been very wet earlier in the week the evening was dry and we set off at 7.30pm from the Lodge at the Parade entrance of Jephson’s Gardens. Visitors to the town (one of whom was a Councillor in his home town in Wiltshire) joined residents and other tour guides for a walk that took us through the Gardens to Lansdowne Circus and Crescent and back to the Town Hall by 9pm. The route can also take in the Pump Rooms, All Saints Church and other historical buildings south of the river.
This informative way of learning about Leamington, ably led by volunteers and supported by Warwick District Council is available on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays until 30th August. Additional walks will take place on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th September at 11am as part of the Heritage Open days 2008. More on the walks and town centre activities.
Official opening of booking hall at Leamington Railway Station
Posted: 23rd May
As a life long user of Leamington Train Station I looked forward to seeing the refurbished booking office area. Joining other invited guests including the Mayor and Mayoress of Leamington, Sir William McAlpine, Adrian Shooter Chairman of Network Rail and the railway enthusiast and music mogul Pete Waterman, I was given a tour of the station after the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.
The original Art Deco tiling in the booking hall has been fully restored after many years of being hidden by plaster work. A clock presented by the Borough of Leamington Spa sits proudly above the window of the booking office. Our own conservation expert Alan Mayes has been involved with the project and has offered his advice on this grade two listed building. While personally wishing that modern ticket barriers were not needed in the area, the understanding that this is a busy train station that is a charging service needed to be addressed.
The Railway Heritage Trust, Chiltern Railways, Friends of Leamington Station and the Soroptomists who all have worked extremely hard to raise the visual standard of the station deserve recognition. The floral beds have been recognised with an award at the Britain in Bloom competition. Many hours of volunteer time goes into the station and makes the station a welcoming entry and exit point for residents and visitors.
Look out for other local attractions open to the public during Warwick District Council's Local Heritage Weekend 11th-14th September.
Warwick District Annual Meeting 2008
Posted: 19th May
The first official function of the Chairman of Warwick District Council is the Annual Meeting of the Council held in May each year. The ruling group at the Council decide on the nomination for Chairman and the choice is then recommended by the Executive meeting prior to the Annual Meeting.
In front of the members of the council plus civic heads and invited guests, the Chairman is nominated and seconded by two fellow Councillors and then after a vote (if no other nominations are made) is elected. The Vice-Chairman is elected in the same way. In Warwick District, the Chairman serves a year first as Vice-Chairman. In some authorities the councillors go straight into being Chairman or Mayor and take the Deputy role the following year.
The Chairman appoints his or her chaplain/s for the year at this meeting. I have asked the team ministry from St Margaret’s church Whitnash, Reverend Richard Suffern and Reverend Doctor Steve Bate to be my chaplains. As well as attending each Council meeting where a prayer and some words or reading is given at the start of the meeting, the ministers will conduct the Chairman’s Civic Service at St Margaret’s Church in September.
A vote of thanks is given to the retiring Chairman and his lady or consort.
The Council then deals with its official business of confirming the minutes of the last Council meeting and considering the membership of the Executive and Committees.
As Chairman I will attend a number of annual meetings in the coming two weeks as most authorities and councils elect new Chairmen and Mayors at this time of the year.
Members’ Services administer the council meetings. They prepare agendas reports and relevant papers and take and produce minutes. You can look at copies of agendas and reports as well as finding out who you local councillor is by visiting www.warwickdc.gov.uk/committee
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