7 - 2023 | Chalmers News PR

The Lioness Martini Cocktail you can make at home

Posted on July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 by admin

44 Cafe, Bar and Bistro

Introducing The Lioness Martini, courtesy of 44 Café, Bar & Bistro in Leamington!

A refined refreshing tipple – but with a kick – makes this the perfect way to celebrate the Lionesses predicted roaring World Cup success in Australia!

All hopes are on England women’s professional football squad to repeat last year’s Euro success on the world stage.

Created by Luke Sampson exclusively for 44 Café, Bistro and Bar in Leamington, this limited-edition drink is available in the bar only until World Cup Final Day, on Sunday, August 20^th.

Or you can try making it at home.

It’s sure to hit the spot!

Ingredients:

25ml Elderflower Cordial

50ml London Dry Gin

25ml Martini Extra Dry

12.5ml Fresh Lemon Juice

44 Cafe, Bar and Bistro

Recipe: Add the cordial, gin, martini and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Strain into a chilled martini glass

Add rosemary sprig to the top to garnish.

Overview

44 Café, Bar & Bistro was opened in March by brewers Gavin Leach and Rob Singleton who are now proudly serving their Windmill Hill beers just a mile from where it is made, at Victoria Business Centre in Neilston Street.

Their menu offers a selection of Small Plates, freshly cooked pizzas, burgers and Bar Snacks, all created to complement Windmill Hill’s ales.

Rob and Gavin also aspire to work with as many Warwickshire businesses as possible, current suppliers including Hilltop Farm for steaks and burgers; Cureights of Church Farm, in Budbrooke for their chorizo; Virtue Food Company of Radford Semele for pizza dough; and Joe Delucci’s Gelato of Lighthorne who supply the ice cream for some of their ‘crowd-pleasing’ desserts.

A packed programme of live entertainment has recently been unveiled with comedy and music both a regular fixture at the venue.

44 is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9.30am-11pm and Sundays from 12-6pm. Visit here

Warwick Rotary visits Riding for Disabled HQ

Posted on July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 by admin

RDA, Shrewley

Members of Warwick Rotary Club have paid a visit to the new Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Head Office and Training Centre in Shrewley, where they were given a talk and a tour of the facilities.

RDA UK is now based at Lowlands Farm, a site formerly owned by Ro Pudden MBE who established the original Lowlands Equestrian riding stables and has been involved with RDA since the 1970’s. Ro was Trainer for the first paralympic dressage team to compete in Atlanta in 1996.

RDA moved to Lowlands in 2019 shortly before the pandemic hit, occupying a new purpose-built building, as well as the stables, indoor arena and outside training area. They welcome coaches and volunteers from across the nationwide organisation to learn new skills and share best practise. The yard is also home to three local RDA groups who use the horses and equestrian facilities on a regular basis. There is every support for riders to reach their potential here, as well as have fun and friendship with the horses.

There are 413 individual RDA groups around the country, run by over 13,000 volunteers who work with around 17,000 disabled children and adults. RDA participants find riding, carriage driving and being with horses provides a host of therapeutic benefits – from improving physical strength and co-ordination to helping with mental well-being. RDA UK staff provide support and services to all these groups, including specialist coach training, charity governance advice, disability advice and training, as well as competitions.

RDA Shrewley

The RDA has just held their National Championship at Hartpury College near Gloucester which welcomed nearly 200 horses, 360 participants and over 800 entries in a range of disciplines from dressage to show jumping, vaulting and carriage riding.

Warwick Rotary recently made a donation of £1,000 to RDA from a legacy left them by the estate of founder member Paul Reynolds, who used to farm locally, and his wife Janet who was a volunteer at Lowlands RDA. Members of the club also helped RDA install a mechanical horse , called Charley, about 10 years ago. Charley enables new riders to be assessed and overcome their fears before getting into the saddle.

Lisa Davies, Head of Communications, told Rotarians that all the RDA groups had been impacted by Covid, with volunteer and participant numbers reduced. There is a growing demand for RDA services which can build “core strength” and balance and provides a sense of freedom for disabled people. RDA continues to transform the lives of people across the UK and seeks to enrich the lives of disabled people though horses.

If you feel that you can help out, either by volunteering or donating, please get in touch with RDA. You can find your local centre, or make a donation, at www.rda.org.uk

Rotarians appeal for support for Ugandan nurse training

Posted on July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 by admin

Uganda, Potter's Village, Solihull Rotary

Solihull Rotarians are appealing for the public to help raise £9,000 to train nurses at a Ugandan medical and crisis centre for children.

The latest appeal, to fund diploma level training for nine nurses, has been launched following a recent visit to Potter’s Village by the Rotary’s president Phil Godfrey and paediatric nurse educator at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Vicci Hornsby.

With the support of St Helen’s Church in Solihull, Phil’s club has already donated vital equipment worth more than £7,500, including 18 cots, intravenous pumps and a CPAP breathing machine.

Solihull Rotary Club, Potter's Village — Vicci with some of the nurses.

He said: “The main purpose of our visit in April was to go and see the 18 babies’ cots we had funded as a Rotary Club. The babies had been sleeping in old polystyrene fish boxes, plastic baths and all sorts of things that couldn’t be kept clean. In fact several babies had died from sepsis due to the way they were being nursed.

“The new cots are on wheels and a sensible height for the nurse or mother and made from the sort of plastics that can be properly sanitised.

“We wanted to see the cots we’d paid for in action and to understand more about Potter’s Village and find any other ways we can help going forwards.”

Most children end up at Potter’s Village because their mothers died in childbirth or were unable to care for them due to psychiatric illness. Some children have simply been abandoned.

Friends of Potter’s Village provide financial support for these children, and this continues once they are settled back into the community, usually with their family.

Potter's Village, Solihull Rotary Club — Vicci and Phil crossing the equator

Solihull Rotary Club has pledged to continue its support for the project alongside a charity established in its name in 2007. Friends of Potter’s Village is a UK-based charity supporting the work of Potter’s Village Ministries, raising funds and awareness of the work being carried out among children and their families in Kisoro, Southern Uganda.

The latest fundraising project aims to put all nine of the centre’s nurses through an 18-month diploma training program at £900 each.

Phil said: “What we need now is for as many people as possible to help us enable Potters Village to survive and help the children there who badly need it. We want to be able to give them certainty of a future.”

Phil joins Vicci in giving regular talks about Potter’s Village to help raise as much awareness as possible.

Vicci said: “The trip to Uganda, was an opportunity to see nursing care in a different light, after 26 years in the NHS, I was in awe of what these amazing nurses were able to do with such little equipment and resources. Potters Village will not survive without the upskill in education of the nurses. The funding from us, will be a lifeline for them to continue to care for these neonates in conditions that the UK could not imagine.”

To donate please visit here

Find out more about the work of The Friends of Potter’s Village here

Review: 44 Cafe, Bar & Bistro Comedy Night

Posted on July 21, 2023 by admin

44 Cafe, Bar and Bistro, Leamington, comedy

The prospect of a night out to see some stand-up comedy is a welcome one these days.

As well as being one of the main things that unites us, laughter is the best tonic against the current climate of financial, political and emotional challenges we face.

No surprise then that there was an enthusiastic turnout for 44 Café, Bar and Bistro’s comedy night in Leamington this week – only the second in a regular new series of live events being hosted by the venue.

At just £15 per head to see four comedians, I thought it represented decent value with plentiful rib tickling at a time when we’re all watching our purses.

44 Cafe, Bar and Bistro, Leamington, comedy, OKSE

It was an occasion to showcase local talent too with Midlands comics James Cook, Lee Maloney and OKSE among the bill. It was headliner Jack Gleadow though, from Hull, who closed the show with possibly the most raucous laughs of the night thanks to his physical comedy routine. (No spoilers here!)

For regular stand-up giggers, such as myself, you know not to sit in the front two rows if you want to avoid being picked on. With such intimate gatherings such as this, pretty much anyone is fair game however, and very few escaped. So not one for the shy retiring types.

On the whole though, I think comedy thrives in intimate settings and it’s partly for this reason, it seems to work.

Diversifying your hospitality offering is proving to be popular with diners and I understand why. If you can make the time, this is a great way to make a night of it and grab some dinner in preparation for absorbing all those belly laughs!

44 Cafe, Bar and Bistro, Leamington, comedy, Windmill Hill

And this is where 44 comes into its own. Run by brewers Gavin Leach and Rob Singleton, the new ‘44’ menu has been created a menu to complement their own Windmill Hill ales, available on tap, with a tasty selection of Small Plates, freshly-cooked burgers and hand-stretched pizzas as well as bar snacks.

The desserts menu is what I would describe as small but perfectly formed – not so the portion sizes though! Bring your appetite so as not to miss out. But if you’re staying for the comedy, there are plenty of short intervals in which to indulge, should you need some breathing space.

44 Cafe, Bar and Bistro, Leamington, comedy, Windmill Hill, Jack Gleadow

Gavin and Rob’s ethos is about ‘celebrating local’ and this can also be seen in their burgers (Hilltop Farm); pizzas (dough from Virtue Food Company in Radford Semele); chorizo (Cureights of Church Farm, in Budbrooke) and ice cream (Joe Delucci’s Gelato of Lighthorne), among others.

Indeed, home-grown food, drink and talent make for a winning menu at this independent Clarendon Street venue and the best news is, there’s plenty more being served up this year, starting next with a live music line-up next Thursday (July 27^th).

Make sure you get your belly full of entertainment and tasty treats at 44 Café, Bar and Bistro soon.

44 Cafe, Bar and Bistro, Leamington, comedy, Windmill Hill

Further weekly comedy and live music dates are soon to be announced from August onwards via here

Live music will also be a feature of Café 44’s first Drinks Festival, on Thursday and Friday, August 17^th and 18^th involving local distilleries, breweries and wine merchants.

44 is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9.30am-11pm and Sundays from 12-6pm. Visit here

Review: Revisiting The White Lion, Radford Semele

Posted on July 17, 2023July 19, 2023 by admin

The White Lion, Radford Semele

I first visited this pretty thatched country pub when it reopened its doors following a refurbishment last summer.

At the time, The White Lion in Radford Semele, had just become the latest member of the award-winning Peach Pubs stable, joining the likes of The Rose and Crown in Warwick, Star and Garter in Leamington, The Almanack in Kenilworth and The One Elm in Stratford.

Today, the style and décor looks just a fresh as ever – contemporary while also staying sensitive to the building’s historic features. I recall how stunning the exposed beams and brickwork are since being carefully restored and highlighted last year.

The White Lion, Radford Semele

There are plenty of areas and corners in which to relax over your dinner, whether it be a family celebration or cosy romantic nook you’re after. And at the rear of the restaurant benefits from a garden room which looks out over a spacious outdoor extension to the dining room – for those finer afternoons and evenings. (Unlike ours unfortunately) The bi-fold doors though ensure you’re always bathed in light and can still enjoy a sense of the great outdoors – indoors.

A spacious curved pergola and sheltered dining space at the end of the garden are also available for private hire, which I’m sure must be a popular feature.

The White Lion, Radford Semele

So what’s new at The White Lion?

There is a set lunch menu at The White Lion, served Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays. It’s fantastic value at one course for £14.50, two courses for £18.00 and three courses for £21.50.

Potential diary dates with the girls or work colleagues, include Fizz Fridays from 5-7pm with £10 off all bottles of sparkling wine; Posh Fish & Chip Fridays; and Saturday and Sunday breakfast from 9am, with classics alongside modern favourites; Sunday Best with top-quality beef from Aubrey Allen, Jimmy Butler’s free-range pork and a delicious vegetarian wellington, with all the trimmings.

The White Lion, Radford Semele — The White Lion Chippy Tea (served on Fridays)

There are plenty of fun new arrivals on The White Lion’s cocktails list too – from the deliciously different Praline Martini, a velvety combination of Cotswolds cream liqueur, chocolate hazelnut, Martel V.S. Cognac and Ketel One vodka, to the Banana Colada with Discarded Banana Rum made by infusing Caribbean rum with banana peel for a rich banoffee pie character, combined with Havana Club 7 Year Old Rum, pineapple and coconut.

Our most recent visit, for dinner, did not disappoint. Despite the impressive Menu offering a wide and tempting variety, The Specials Board still proved a distraction for two of us with hubby opting for both his Starter (Cornish Mussels with white wine cream sauce and garlic bread – £9.50) and Main (The White Lion’s own take on a Chippy Tea of battered haddock, seabream and monkfish scampi, triple cooked chips, pea puree and tartare sauce – £21.50). While I couldn’t resist the Cornish Lamb Pavé with pea puree, baby onions, baby fondant potatoes and jus. (£26).

All were polished off with gusto, while my son stayed true to the main menu and certainly had no regrets with his choice of 14-hour Braised Beef & Ale Pie, buttered mash, greens and gravy. (£16.75)

There’s a comprehensive cheeseboard selection available, with a choice of either five cheeses (for £13) or three (for £8.50) or even a ‘smidgen’ of cheese with your choice of tea or coffee, for £6.50. This proved a fitting finale to my husband’s meal after finding himself too full to appreciate a sweet dessert – as tempting as they looked.

Not so for myself and my son though who devoured Treacle Tart and Clotted Cream (8.50) – from the Specials Board – and Salted Caramel & Chocolate Tart, honeycombe, crème fraiche (£9) from the main menu, respectively. The Treacle Tart was a nostalgic throwback to my childhood when it was a favourite family treat, and unlike back in the day, wasn’t too sweet!

The White Lion, Radford Semele

Look out for. . .
On Thursday 24^th August, Head Chef Stefan will be sharing his love of Spanish food with his special Spanish Supper. For one night only, he’ll be bringing some of his favourite tapas dishes to the terrace, from croquetas de jamón to patatas bravas, paella and tortilla.

And keep an eye out for other special events. Visit here

A year-on the new incarnation of The White Lion continues to deliver on all fronts, from food and service to décor and ambience.