showcasing local businesses, charities, news & events

Review: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Retelling revered author Roald Dahl’s classic story, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory comes with a big responsibility. I was delighted to see then that Playful Productions’ update of the iconic children’s book stays faithful to everything we hold dear about this heartwarming tale of Charlie Bucket’s rags to riches adventure – despite being successfully adapted […]

Warwickshire boxing legend inspires local distiller’s new rums

Leamington boxing legend Randolph Turpin is the inspiration behind two new special-edition rums released by an award-winning local distillery Warwickshire Gin Company. The Pugilist – Sting Like A Bee – Honey Rum and Pugilist Ghost Edition White Rum, are in honour of the sporting great who went down in British boxing history for his sensational […]

Michelin Star chefs set to cook up a storm at Stratford Food Festival

Michelin Star chefs will be among the highlights of this year’s two-day Food Festival when it returns to Stratford-upon-Avon later this month. Glynn Purnell and Tom Shepherd will be showcasing their culinary talents in a series of free demonstrations in the cookery kitchen across the festival weekend, which will include 130 artisan stalls. Tom Shepherd, […]

Historic hotel is back with a bang

Fireworks are set to light up the skies over historic Wroxall Abbey, in Warwick, with the return of the hotel’s Bonfire Night party. Tickets for the family event, on November 3rd, give visitors access to the bonfire, fireworks display, food and entertainment, including bouncy castle and a live DJ. People will be able to choose […]

TV celebrity prevents rain from dampening spirits at fun day

TV host Alison Hammond was among the good sports who turned out to lend their support to a Family Fun Day in aid of Warwick children’s charity Molly Ollys. The event, organised and hosted by Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club in Solihull, raised more than £2,500 and was attended by more than 200 people. Many […]

Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – and now Midlands theatre-goers can join in with the conversation, too. The hit West End musical is once again out on tour and currently showing at The Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham. Sixteen-year-old Jamie New lives on a council estate in Sheffield where he doesn’t quite fit in. While terrified about […]

Foodbank hopes open days help foster campaign support

Coventry Foodbank is inviting people to a series of open days to learn more about its support for the Guarantee Our Essentials Campaign, which calls for the government to reform Universal Credit ensuring that essentials are affordable to all. They are joining more than 100 foodbanks across the UK taking action to support the call […]

Review: Sinatra The Musical

Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre is once again putting its city on the world stage. And it couldn’t be more fitting. The world premiere of Sinatra The Musical coincides with the 70th anniversary of crooner Frank Sinatra’s 1953 UK tour. What makes this production extra special is that it’s the first official musical to focus on the […]

Review: The Full Monty (Belgrade Theatre)

We’ve all seen the iconic 90s movie and now the award-winning hit play puts the heartfelt story – and other things(!) – front and centre at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre this week. This brand new production of The Full Monty proves to be still very much of our time. Set against the backdrop of a cost […]

Murder at Magic Alley!

Magical experiences take a darker turn for the spooky season with three spooktacular Halloween Murder Mystery Crime Solving events at Magic Alley in Stratford! The Witching Hour – Murder Mystery Enter The Witching Hour, a Halloween Murder Mystery, where young aspiring detectives (ages 6 and up) are invited to uncover the truth behind a spine-chilling […]