Whilst out enjoying our parks, gardens and woodlands this sunny week, we hope you’ve noticed the thoughtful and creative ways the Green Spaces Team have made safe havens for bees, moths, butterflies and other insects to thrive, as part of the buzz for National Insect Week. Schemes to protect and attract our six-legged friends, include the proliferation of wildflower meadows, beds bursting with pollinator friendly plants and blooms, as well as selective mowing to extend the areas of long grass; all of which significantly improve the natural habitat and biodiversity of our open spaces.

Although we no longer receive regular local Covid updates, nationally infections are up by more than 40%, with hospitals reporting a 30% increase in admissions according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. It remains important that we continue to take precautions, particularly if we’re in contact with more vulnerable members of our community. We’ve got such an exciting summer ahead, we don’t want Covid to spoil the fun.

In other news:

• Walking in the beautiful Oakley Wood will be made more accessible throughout, thanks to a major upgrade of the main path network, starting next week. The completion of two seasons of woodland thinning, a process of clearing conifer trees to make way for the return of native broadleaved trees, has given the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust the opportunity to create a 3,300-metre stone pathway around the wood.
• Investment in our local leisure centres continues, not only with the imminent £multi-million redevelopment of the Kenilworth facilities, but now also an upgrade to the gyms at Newbold Comyn and St Nicholas Park with brand new strength and cardio-vascular equipment being installed by Everyone Active, hooray!
• The much improved and extended Heathcote Community Centre (formerly Warwick Gates Community Centre) will be opened at a Fun Day on Sunday 3 July, 12.30-2pm. The creation of a versatile, new central hub for this growing community has been led by Heathcote Parish Church supported by grants from developers L&Q, the King Henry VIII Endowed Trust as well as £150k from our community infrastructure fund.
• Today, Councillors are joining the Friends of Victoria Park to official opening of the wonderful new play area, which boasts a bespoke tree house, trim trail, zip wires, wheelchair carousel and trampolines. While you may have missed out on opening celebrations, please come and visit this wonderful new facility which is a lasting legacy for our community to enjoy from the Commonwealth Games.

And finally… we were delighted to see yet further national recognition of our beautiful corner of England with Kenilworth named as one of the best up-and-coming areas to invest in the UK, by the Sunday Times. The town’s inclusion reflects new infrastructure, interesting shops and good restaurants, attributes which mean that it is quickly catching up with neighbouring rivals Leamington Spa, according to the author!  (Now, there’s a challenge).

Keep smiling

Cllr Andrew Day
Leader, Warwick District Council

Chris Elliott
Chief Executive, Warwick District Council