Are you ready for the Commonwealth Games? We’ve just 27 days until the fun starts! The next big moment is the Queen’s Baton Relay (see the route details here) which will coming through Kenilworth and Whitnash on Friday 22 July on the final stages of its epic journey to the Opening Ceremony.

Sports fans who have failed to get their hands on Commonwealth Games tickets need not fear – we’re setting-up festival sites in Warwick and Leamington boasting their very own slice of the sporting action. Running from July 28 to August 8 we can all enjoy the Games events at the sites in the Pump Room Gardens in Leamington or in Warwick’s Market Square.

Opening each day from 10am to 10pm both will feature big screens with entry free of charge.

In the Pump Room Gardens there will be a number of activities for children such as medal-making, and an opportunity to try bowls at one of the pop-up greens provided by Bowls England. There will also be food and drink. And ahead of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on July 28, there will be a jazz and samba band, dancers, stilt walkers and jugglers providing entertainment from 5pm.

In Warwick, refreshments will be provided by local businesses.

Covid-19 infections continue to rise across the UK. If you’ve a weakened immune system or are over 75 years of age, please protect yourself with a booster jab this summer - bookings can be made via the NHS.uk website or by calling 119.

In other news:

• We reached another milestone this week, as we bid farewell to Castle Farm recreation centre, with the demolition of the old building. Clearance of the site makes way for construction to start in a couple of weeks of a brand-new facility, all part of a major multi-million-pound overhaul of our leisure facilities across the district.
• We were delighted confirm our ownership the site and heritage buildings of the Medieval Leper Hospital. With planning consent in place, our plans to protect this part of Warwick’s heritage can now progress. Working alongside the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust we will preserve the legacy of the site and give it a sustainable future through a progressive scheme to provide 100% affordable housing.
• If you’d like to join our team, we’re looking-out for people with passion, drive and ambition to kick start their career at Warwick District Council through our Apprenticeship Scheme. We can offer a variety of roles across a number of service areas, take a look the opportunities on offer.

And finally… have you ever tried your hand at bowls? Under the expert guidance of Jane Wigman of the Royal Leamington Spa Bowls Club, this week we joined WDC colleagues for a taster session, learning all about forehand, backhand, arcs and eyes and the roll of the green… what an enjoyable experience it was and something that’s totally accessible to all ages and abilities.

However, to see the real experts competing at the highest level, there’s still the chance to purchase tickets for the Commonwealth Games including all the sessions of the Lawn and Para Lawn Bowls competitions taking place at Victoria Park from 29 July to 6 August.

Keep smiling