Month: February 2025

Budding young chefs cooked up a storm as part of a new Rotary-organised initiative in Coventry last week.

Eight youngsters from the “Ready, Steady Cook” group at Pathways Family Hub, in Radford, took part in a Rotary Young Chef competition during the February half-term break.

Each of them was tasked with cooking a main course and a dessert, with dishes ranging from Spaghetti Bolognaise to Cheese Pizza, and Brownies to Apple Crumble.

Emerging triumphant from the kitchen in the morning session was 16-year-old Declan Doonan, and in the afternoon, Lily-Mae Hibbert-Edwards, 13.

The event was an initiative of Coventry Jubilee Rotary Club and was supervised by group leader Sandie Morris. Judging on the day was Tony Davies, from Gourmet Food Kitchen, in Coventry, who commended the youngsters for the quality of their dishes, as well as their enthusiasm.

Tony worked in some of the best kitchens in the world before establishing Gourmet Food Kitchen in Fargo Village, an intimate location that, in the evening, offers a fine dining Chef’s Table experience for 12 guests and, by day, a bagel menu.

He said: “I wanted to get involved as I think it’s great to support young kids who have a passion for cooking, it’s great to see younger kids using fresh produce to produce dishes in this all-too-easy processed food society.”

Ready, Steady, Cook meets on Wednesday evenings and is for young people between the ages of 10 and 17. They learn new recipes and kitchen good practice and kitchen skills. Coventry Jubilee also recently gifted the group a food mixer out of their Santa’s Sleigh collection proceeds.

Pathways is a former Sure Start centre, now operated by Coventry City Council. It offers many services, including parenting support, a daily midwife clinic, a young carers’ group and support for people with special educational needs.

John Young, Chair of Coventry Jubilee’s Youth Committee said: “We all enjoyed the day very much. The youngsters have been well trained. They worked methodically and showed great commitment. And the food was excellent!

“I wanted us to try something we haven’t done in a long time, so this came up. I believe the old model of youth work (‘keep them off the streets’ and all that) isn’t much use in today’s world. It’s much better to provide ways and means of gaining life skills.”

To fund out more about the work of Coventry Jubilee Rotary Club visit HERE

More about Rotary

Rotary is a worldwide association of local clubs, for men and women in business or the professions who provide service to the community at local, national and international level; encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and work for goodwill and peace in the world.

The Rotary Direct Membership Network, complements and works alongside existing clubs and embraces technology, connecting like-minded people across Great Britain and Ireland who share a passion for specific causes, locally, nationally, and internationally. More information is available HERE

For further information about Pathways Family Hub visit HERE

Fundraisers ran up a huge total of more than £14k for a local children’s charity when they took part in the recent Warwick Half Marathon.

More than 40 people donned pink to represent Molly Ollys for the annual 13.1-mile race, organised by RunThrough, earlier this month.

The route took the 2,300 runners between the racecourse, along Coventry Road to Leek Wootton, along Rouncil Lane and back to Warwick via Hatton and Hampton on the Hill. A 1km junior run was also held on Sunday, with nearly 100 youngsters taking part.

Founder Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Molly Ollys were delighted to be the chosen charity for the Warwick Half Marathon and the support we received was fantastic. There were over 40 runners in their pink tops raising funds and awareness.

“Olly the Brave was a big hit at the Racecourse, helping to cheer everyone on and Team Molly Olly were out in force along the course and at the finish. The atmosphere was so uplifting. For many of our runners it was their first half marathon so it was a big achievement.

“We even had a family taking part, mum, dad and three siblings running and their younger brother volunteering which was brilliant. Two of our runners were injured but, determined to do it, they ran a little but ended up walking a lot of the course to ensure they could finish.

“They may have been last but we were very proud to cheer them in. Thank you to everyone who has helped us raise over £14,000.”

Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw, from Warwick, following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

For more information about Molly Ollys or to donate visit HERE

Jonathan Davies was the first to cross the line as the Warwick Half Marathon returned for 2025.

The Reading Athletics Club runner completed the 13.1-mile course in one hour, seven minutes and six seconds. Ian Allen came in second (1:07:40) and Charlie Davis third (1:08:31).

Natasha White was the fastest finishing female, completing the course in just under an hour and 20 minutes.

The full list of results is available HERE

 Rob Sullivan, Race organiser, said: “The Warwick Half Marathon is one of our flagship half marathons and it’s fantastic to have teamed up with Molly Ollys as our Charity of the Year partner. We were delighted the event went well with over 2300 runners taking on the half marathon.”

More information of the Warwick Half Marathon is available HERE.

A prestigious event at London’s House of Commons last week marked the launch of a national awards campaign to celebrate some the country’s most inspirational female achievers.

The seventh – and biggest – Ladies First Professional Development Awards, based in Balsall Common, will highlight success stories as well as raise funds for vital cancer equipment for local hospitals, at its awards ceremony in the summer.

A host of new categories are among the 20 being contested this year, including Women of Courage; Excellence In Independent Food Businesses; Excellence In Marketing & Media; Women in Property and Inclusive Leadership/Women on Boards.

The gongs are also honouring, among others, Start-up of the Year, Trailblazer/Entrepreneur; Excellence In Health and Wellbeing; Charity of the Year & Community Advocate, Family Business of the Year, Business Consultant; Excellence in professional Services; Excellence In Technology; Start-Up and Business Man of the Year. Big awards on the night will also be presented to Inspirational Women and Business Woman of the Year as well as Lifetime Achievement.

Guests at The House of Commons, on February 12^th, heard from host Saquib Bhatti MP, Retired MP Colleen Fletcher OBE, last year’s Business Woman of the Year Louise Adkins and hotelier Sue Cressman, whose fundraising is being supported by the awards this year.

Herself a two-times cancer survivor, Sue, from Dorridge, appreciates more than most the vital service her local hospitals provide.

The 65-year-old, who underwent a mastectomy ten years ago, has been continuing to give back. To date, she is estimated to have donated more than £500k worth of state-of-the-art cancer equipment to hospitals in and around the West Midlands, including biopsy machines, localizer probes, Hilotherapy machines that reduce pain after surgery, infuser kits and garden furniture for chemotherapy units.

Some 21 years after believing she’d beaten the disease, she learned her cancer had returned and, in 2013, was forced to make the agonising decision to have her breast removed. It also resulted in 16 corrective surgeries due to complications due to her earlier radiotherapy.

This life’s chapter also inspired Sue, in 2018, to record her own charity single, Survive, written by her husband Rick and their friend Guy Barnes. It was later adopted by top arranger and producer Ian Wherry who has worked with such musical greats as Elaine Paige, David Essex and David Cassidy.

Sue, co-owner of Nailcote Hall Hotel in Berkswell, said: “As a founder member of Ladies First Professional Network and an ambassador, I have seen how this wonderful Ladies Group has developed over the last decade. My business was the very first venue to hold a meeting for the group.

“At this year’s launch I am pleased to announce we are raising funds for the forthcoming year to help our Local NHS Breast Cancer Units. It is our aim to purchase a specialist Mammography and Biopsy Chair for Birmingham Hospital Trust. This will give breast cancer patients a more comfortable position for this type of procedure and specialists to enable a better view for diagnosis.”

The launch event was sponsored by two of last year’s first-time award winners, Paola Spiga of Glam & Glow Beauty Lab in Hockley Heath (Start-up of the Year) and Bia Rodrigues Perry of Bia’s Kitchen Show, from Leamington (Outstanding Entrepreneur) along with David Perry Photography.

Paola perfected her beautician skills working with experts at five-star hotels in her native Italy before moving to the UK to launch her own successful salon, which recently celebrated its first anniversary.

She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be involved as a sponsor for the Ladies First Awards this year. Winning ‘Start Up of the Year’ last year was a defining moment in my journey, and now, having the opportunity to give back and support other incredible people is truly an honour. Ladies First is all about empowerment, connection, and celebrating success, everything I stand for. I can’t wait to help champion the next wave of inspiring entrepreneurs!”

Since January, Bia’s Kitchen Show has highlighted some of the best of the area’s foodie scene when it is streams twice-monthly to audiences on YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Facebook. The show is an extension of her successful Bia’s Kitchen brand, featuring local independent chefs and restaurateurs cooking signature dishes as well as her own top tips and recipes. Her first book, Bia’s Kitchen The Cookbook: A Culinary Journey of Gratitude, was recently released.

She said: “As a woman who has faced numerous challenges, I understand the profound impact of having a supportive network of inspiring women by my side. Sponsoring an award that honours women in power is not just about recognition; it’s about fostering a community that uplifts and motivates us to reach greater heights. Together, we can create a future where every woman feels empowered to continue her journey with confidence and courage.”

Headline sponsors for the awards are Edwards Wealth, in Berkswell; Alsters Kelley Solicitors, which has branches in Coventry and Warwickshire; Midlands-based recruitment agency Pertemps Network; IXL Centre in Southam; Bia’s Kitchen Show in Leamington and Sandhu Foods.

Ladies First director Tracey McAtamney, from Balsall Common, said: “I am hugely proud of the Ladies First community, which is about building relationships in business and friends for life. Although Ladies First is a woman in business network, our awards support not only women, but include businessmen, family businesses and my particular passion, mentoring young people. It felt extra special to be celebrating the achievements of so many at such an auspicious venue”.

The Awards Nominations opened on 1^st February, with finalists announced on March 21^st. The interview day is on April 7^th at Mallory Court in Leamington and the Awards dinner will be held at the IXL Dallas Burston Polo Club on June 5^th.

Closing date for nominations is March 15^th.  For further information about how to nominate, visit HERE

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities contact Tracey McAtamney at: tracey@ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk