The imminent arrival of the Commonwealth Games will soon be clearly visible with an array of colourful banners and flags appearing on the streets of Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth and Whitnash in the coming days.

At the same time teams across the Council are busily preparing for the handover of sections of Victoria Park to the Birmingham 2022 organisers on 27 June, as it becomes the official venue for the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls competitions.

Rest assured this is far from a complete take over of our beautiful park. Only this week in partnership with the Friends of Victoria Park we opened an amazing new play area boasting a bespoke tree house, double aerial slide and a wealth of accessible equipment for all ages all of which will remain fully open to locals and visitors for the full duration of the Games. 

As we prepare for our big summer of events, festivals and entertainment we must remember that Covid is still here. Reports that infections are showing signs of a possible rise are a concern and a reminder that we must remain vigilant.

In other news:

• Adding to the carnival atmosphere, we’ve confirmed arrangements for the Pump Room Gardens and Warwick Market Square to become Festival Sites for the entire duration of the Commonwealth Games. Starting with a launch celebration to coincide with the Opening Ceremony (28 July) the sites will be open daily from 10am to 10pm, with a big screen to watch all the action live, plus food, drink and entertainment.
   
• Our Arts team is inviting the local creative community to attend a brand-new summer event, Ignite. Taking place on Thursday 14 July from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at the Royal Pump Rooms this new event aims to build on the success of Spark: Ignite, the annual symposium for the district’s creative sector, with an evening of celebration and conversation, the announcement of grant winners and launch of CultureFest.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the deaths in a Prague church of seven paratroopers fighting Nazi soldiers, the Friends of the Czechoslovak Memorial Fountain are inviting local residents to attend a short wreath-laying ceremony at the fountain in Jephson Gardens this Sunday 19 June from 11am. The Friends will be joined by Czech and Slovak Ambassadors and other dignitaries including our Chair Councillor Mini Mangat.

And finally…if you are passing Jephson Gardens this weekend do take a look at the unique art installation created by our Climate Change team. The team has partnered with Action 21, Artlabtry and SugarPlums and Stitches Homemade Crafts with input from local school children to create this wonderful piece to inspire the local community into taking positive action in support of #CleanAirDay.

Keep smiling and stay safe.

Cllr Andrew Day
Leader, Warwick District Council

Chris Elliott
Chief Executive, Warwick District Council