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New chapter as popular town centre pub reopens its doors

New chapter as popular town centre pub reopens its doors

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The Courthouse, Rugby, Machan Pubs
Hari Shankarkrishnamurthy and The Courthouse team.

The Courthouse pub in Rugby reopened it doors under new ownership on Monday (11th) following a huge £350k refurbishment.

It marks a rousing return to the town centre after 16 months for the formerly popular venue which is set to become an entertainment hub with live music, late-night DJ, retro games and Sky Sports showing all the major tournaments on big screens.

Behind the project are Heineken-owned Star Pubs and the newly-formed Machan Pubs portfolio, which also includes The George at Kilsby and the Old Lion at Harborough Magna.

The Courthouse, Rugby, Machan Pubs
The Courthouse reopens as a sports bar.

It’s an exciting new venture for operator Hari Shankarkrishnamurthy who perfected his skills working at top hotels across the world, from Dubai and India to Singapore and The Cayman Islands as well as cruise ships.

Since moving to the UK he’s enjoyed spells in senior kitchen roles at Birmingham Hilton Metropole; Walton Hall in Wellesbourne; The Belfry and Resorts World in Birmingham, where he managed head chefs at five outlets across the site.

Hari said: “The Courthouse is designed to offer a true sports bar experience, bringing together big screens, great sound and an atmosphere the builds with every game, whether it’s football, rugby, cricket, the big fight or major sporting events from around the world.

The Courthouse, Rugby, Machan Pubs

“The design and concept of the pub is to create a sort of mini Albert Schloss with live music and late-night entertainment until 2am.

“There has been a huge buzz around the reopening and we are very excited to finally show off this stunning new space which is sure to be a hugely welcome addition to the town centre.”

The North Street pub, which has created 25 jobs, features a spacious bar and lounge/dining area and has taken on a new contemporary look, incorporating exposed brickwork and herringbone flooring. Outside has also undergone an overhaul, with covered areas for year-round use, summer barbecues, a Mr Whippy ice cream machine and huge outdoor screen, just in time for the World Cup.

The Courthouse, Rugby, Machan Pubs

An extensive pan-Asian-inspired menu, running throughout the day, is overseen by Executive Chef Durai Kaliyaperumal, who has relocated to the UK after 15 years of working in top restaurants in Dubai.

It is complemented by a varied drinks menu of barista coffee, premium lagers, wines and soft drinks as well as an array of cocktails, including five signature recipes!

The day-to-day running of the bar is in the experienced hands of manager Jai Lingham who brings more than 20 years of working in hospitality and tourism around the world.

He said: “When I heard about the Courthouse I immediately bought into their vision. This property stands out as a signature of the city pub scene and there’s hardly anywhere that offers pan-Asian cuisine in the area.

The Courthouse, Rugby, Machan Pubs
A pan-Asian menu is available

“There is a definite anticipation around the relaunch. Everyone I talk to is excited to see it open its doors again – and with a fresh new look. This is going to be a happening place in Rugby. I really look forward to welcoming in former regulars as well as new faces as we re-establish our place as the go-to entertainment and food venue in the local community.”

The Courthouse menu is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, between 8am and 9pm every day while live music nights are served up every Thursday (RnB and Hip Hop), Friday (80s) and Saturday (noughties) from 7-9pm followed by a DJ until 2am.

The doors fling open at 12pm on Monday. For more information and the latest entertainment line-up visit HERE.

Join Coventry’s Foodbank team for the Foodbankathon and Treasure Trail

Join Coventry’s Foodbank team for the Foodbankathon and Treasure Trail

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Feed The Hungry, Coventry Foodbank, Foodbankathon

Volunteers are being sought to take part in The Great Coventry Foodbankathon to raise awareness and vital funds for the charity at a time of increased need. 

Coventry Foodbank is inviting members of the public to take part in their annual event, which this year spans a week of raising funds and awareness for the charity, including a new Family Treasure Hunt.

The 34 km route stops at all of the city’s 15 foodbank centres and central distribution hub, starting from St Catherine’s Church in Stoke Aldermoor and finishing at St Stephen’s Church in Canley.

Individuals and businesses are also being invited to sponsor the Foodbankathon, which takes place on Saturday, May 30th, and are hoping to raise significant funds in support of the Foodbank.

Feed The Hungry, Coventry Foodbank, Foodbankathon
Feed The Hungry’s Rich Smith takes part in a previous year.

This year they have also introduced a free Foodbankathon Family Treasure Hunt running throughout the week, inviting people to hidden treasures en route as they explore the city using their smartphone. For more information or to register visit: coventryfoodbank.org.uk/treasurehunt

People are being invited to join the walking team, led by Foodbank founder Canon Gavin Kibble MBE.

He said: “We’re facing unprecedented times as the cost of keeping Coventry foodbank running is an increasing financial challenge. The Foodbankathon is an important event to raise awareness and vital funds.

Feed The Hungry UK, Coventry Foodbank, Foodbankathon
The Treasure Hunt is a new feature of the Foodbankathon this year.

“With food prices on course to be 50 per cent higher by November than they were at the start of the cost-of-living crisis in 2021, it is not surprising that donations to the foodbank have decreased whilst demand for its services has increased.

“That’s not a sustainable position for the foodbank, so we’re asking the general public to donate food and money so we can help families struggling to put food on the table.”

Last year over 22,000 people in Coventry needed to use a foodbank. The cost of living squeeze is meaning that hundreds of people are needing to use a foodbank in the city every week. Over 250,000 people have received food from the Foodbank in the 15 years since it was founded.

Gavin added: “If you don’t fancy taking part and aren’t able to give money, you can help by raising awareness of the Foodbankathon and, on the day, you are welcome to come and cheer-on those doing the walk.”

The Treasure Hunt is a new feature of the Foodbankathon this year.

Businesses interested in sponsoring The Great Coventry Foodbankathon are invited to contact: fundraising@coventryfoodbank.org.uk

The route will take in the 15 Coventry foodbanks, The Cathedral, Coventry Building Society Arena and the central distribution warehouse as follows:

  • St Catherine’s Church, Stoke Aldermoor
  • John the Divine Church, Willenhall
  • The Halo Centre, Binley
  • Walsgrave Baptist Church
  • Coventry City Mission
  • St Laurences Church
  • Coventry Building Society Arena
  • Holbrooks Evangelical Church
  • St Francis of Assisi Church
  • Foleshill Baptist Church
  • RCCG Holy Ghost Zone
  • Christian Life Ministries
  • Coventry Cathedral
  • Authentic Church, Lamb Street
  • Queens Road Baptist Church Centre
  • Allesley Park Evangelical Church
  • Our Lady of The Assumption RC Church, Aldermans Green
  • Canley, St Stephen’s Church
Feed The Hungry UK, Coventry Foodbank, Foodbankathon
The Treasure Hunt is a new feature of the Foodbankathon this year.

There are different variations that someone wanting to take part can opt to do – a shorter walk between two or more foodbank centres; the 34km traditional Foodbankathon route or ‘The Loop’ – starting and ending at the same foodbank centre, which totals around 42km, the distance of a Marathon.

Participants can choose their own start time and route maps can be downloaded from the website. More information about taking part or donating is available HERE.

* Please be aware that the suggested route for the Foodbankathon uses public roads. It is the participants’ responsibility for their own safety when taking part in the event. Coventry Foodbank cannot bear any responsibility for the safety of participants taking part.

FleurFest returns for Father’s Day weekend!

FleurFest returns for Father’s Day weekend!

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FleurFest, Fleur de Lys, Molly Ollys

Families are being invited to the return of a festival at popular local village pub in time for Father’s Day.

The event, on June 20th, is also supporting Warwick charity Molly Ollys, which will be selling raffle tickets on the day.

‘FleurFest’ promises a host of entertainment and activities throughout the weekend, from live musicians to performers – including stilt walkers and bubbleology. There will also be a host of family activities and workshops, from face painting and hair braiding, plus the chance to Pampered Ponies enjoy pony rides with paint your own pottery in a craft tent run by Crazy Kiln. All creations will be taken away and fired, ready for collection a couple of weeks later.

FleurFest, Fleur de Lys, Molly Ollys

Visitors are also invited to bring their proud pooches to compete in a dog show, sponsored by K9 Club.

The festival, at the Fleur de Lys, also showcases emerging acts from Birmingham’s Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) bringing upcoming local talent to Lowsonford. The live line up includes Jam House regular Carl Sinclair; new Shropshire-based band Soul Perfection; three-piece acoustic covers band The Laundry Room and Lapworth musician Dan Robinson.

FleurFest, Fleur de Lys, Molly Ollys

The Fleur De Lys, which was last year named Coventry & Warwickshire Foodie Awards Pub of the Year, is nestled in the picturesque village of Lowsonford on the banks of the Stratford Canal between winding roads which used to be part of The Forest of Arden. The garden boasts an acre of land and is also popular as a stop-off for canal users.

It wasn’t until the early 20th century when it first opened as a tavern, later going on to introduce the ‘pioneering’ idea of serving food and giving rise to the now famous Fleur De Lys pies.

Emma Woodhouse, who runs the pub with her husband Nick, said: “Following on from the success of our 10th anniversary, in 2024, FleurFest is back! This one-day, family-friendly event aims to celebrate everything that is good about sitting in a beautiful beer garden, enjoying music from local artists and letting the kids live their best lives with a host of activities to keep them busy.”

FleurFest, Fleur de Lys, Molly Ollys

The couple, who moved to Warwickshire from Bristol for their new project, are passionate about hospitality and have combined more than 30 years of experience in the industry.

Molly Ollys is a south Warwickshire-based charity which supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to help with their emotional wellbeing. They provide gifts and wishes to individuals and donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

The charity also works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community, including funding consultants in paediatric palliative medicine and the creation of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.

FleurFest, Fleur de Lys, Molly Ollys

Molly Ollys has provided more than 5,500 wishes; supported more than 21,500 children and distributed more than 23,000 Olly The Brave books to more than 70 hospitals – making those darkest of days brighter for so many families.

For more information about Molly Ollys or to donate visit: http://www.mollyolly.co.uk/

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Molly Ollys are delighted to be invited back to Fleur Fest. Last year was a really fun family event and it was good to share more about our work with the local community.

FleurFest, Fleur de Lys, Molly Ollys

“Raising both funds and awareness at these types of events is so important as it enables us to reach more people and spread the word about how we can help children with life threatening illnesses. Thankyou to Emma and all the team at the Fleur for their support.”

Fleur Fest gets under way from 12pm with children’s activities closing at 6pm. While it is not a ticketed event this year, it is helpful to register interest via: https://www.thefleur.co.uk/shop/p/fleurfest

Runners from across the UK raise more than £50k in ‘Marathon effort’ for Warwickshire-based children’s charity

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Molly Ollys team Tim and Rachel Ollerenshaw and Sue Herbert show support.

Fundraisers from across the country have raised a marathon total of more than £50k for Warwickshire-based charity Molly Ollys after taking part in Sunday’s famous London race.

And for the youngest runner, 19-year-old Grace Ashwell it marks a particularly poignant anniversary, for it was four years ago to the day that she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma!

The teenager, from Shropshire, who completed the London Marathon in just over six hours, has raised more than £3k, in aid of Molly Ollys, one of the charities which supported her during her illness, by gifting £500 worth of driving lessons.

Molly Ollys, London Marathon
Grace Ashwell

The challenge has also signalled a return to peak fitness for Grace, who was previously forced to pull out of her place in the Team GB Handball team following news of her illness in 2022 and six-months of intensive chemotherapy.

She said: “The hardest part was the last six miles. Everything was hurting and I think my mind just took over and I was starting to question why on earth I was doing it. That was really tough.

“When I hit the 20-mile mark the Molly Ollys stand was there along with my mum and dad and sister. My supporters had spread themselves out along the route so I saw someone I knew every few miles, which really helped me.

Molly Ollys, London Marathon
Grace pictured after the race with dad Dan, Mum Annette and sister Eleanor.

“It’s the atmosphere that gets you through and listening to the crowds. I had my name on my top and people I didn’t know were screaming my name. It helps you to keep going, especially for those last few miles.”

She added: “I was thinking about how far I’ve come, especially when I saw family and long term friends who were there who had been with me through my illness, it made me quite emotional. Towards the end I felt so proud.”

Molly Ollys, London Marathon
Catriona McDonald and Samantha Attwell.

Other runners who all contributed to the charity’s Marathon total were: Nic Allen, Nik Barrow and Henry Glynn, all from Stratford; Samantha Attwell and Catriona McDonald, from Redditch; David Dimmock, from Shirley; Becca Horley, from Birmingham; Lucy Puddephatt and Michael Shannon from London and James Pentland and Jamie Wright, from Wigan. Samantha, Catriona, James and Jamie were all running on behalf of Oaklands International.

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.

Molly Ollys, London Marathon
James Pentland and Jamie Wright.

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.

Rachel said: “Hardly any of these people knew each other, however in the build-up to the event and on the day itself, there was a real team spirit amongst them and a sense of shared pride to be running and raising funds for Molly Ollys.

Molly Ollys, London Marathon
Becca Horley

“We had a real mix of people, from all parts of the country and all ages. Michael being our oldest runner was full of trepidation about actually finishing the race, but now he has, really wants to do it again. And Grace was our youngest runner, taking on the monumental challenge of running the marathon just four years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and being supported by Molly Ollys.

“Another one of our younger runners Catriona was an inspiration, none more so than when she saw David struggling a little during the race and gave him a pat on the back and some words of encouragement.”

She added: “Many of Team Molly Ollys had never done anything like this before. Becca for example was running her first ever marathon and only started running three years ago to help with her mental wellbeing. She was beaming throughout the race and had the best time ever with her Olly The Brave at her side.

Molly Ollys, London Marathon
David Dimmick.

“This was the first time Molly Ollys had a group of supporters running the race for us. We think many of the guys will be friends for life and can’t thank them enough for the money they’ve raised to support children around the UK with life-threatening illnesses.”

To continue to support Grace visit HERE.

For more information about Molly Ollys or to donate visit HERE.

Alsters Kelley Solicitors marks 10-year anniversary of Southam office

Alsters Kelley Solicitors marks 10-year anniversary of Southam office

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Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Southam

One of Coventry and Warwickshire’s leading law firms, Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd, held a special event to mark the tenth anniversary of their Southam office last week.

To celebrate the occasion local businesses and clients were invited to join the members and some of the staff last week at their High Street office, the fourth of six Alsters Kelley branches in the region, and which had relocated from Daventry Street.

The event also raised £220 for Galanos House, a care home in Southam for the Armed Forces community, offering residential care as well as nursing, palliative and end-of-life care.

The home is set within grounds designed by the residents themselves, including a memorial garden, a bowling green and a bandstand. The residents’ shared experiences in the Armed Forces create a unique and supportive community.

Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Southam
Cathy Wahlberg and Julie McGarrigle of Alsters Kelley. Photos by Peter Rowe Photography.

Alsters Kelley has become one of the largest solicitor’s firms, with offices in Leamington, Coventry, Stratford, Nuneaton and Banbury, employing nearly 100 people.

A Legal 500 firm, it provides a full range of legal services including Family (divorce, finances, children matters), family care (adoption, care proceedings, abductions), private client (wills, powers of attorney, tax and trusts), conveyancing, personal injury, medical negligence, dispute resolution and criminal cases, including motoring offences.

Cathy Wahlberg MD, said: “Reaching ten years in Southam is a milestone we are incredibly proud of. Over the past decade we have built strong relationships within the local community and have seen our business and team grow. This event was our way of saying thank you to everyone who has supported us and we are excited about what the next ten years will bring.”

Longest serving member at Southam and the first employee ten years ago, is Legal Secretary Ella Lee. She said: “I remember my first day at Alsters Kelley like it was yesterday. Being a new office, it was very quiet for the first few months, but as the months passed the clientele started to increase and we became busier, which was great.

Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Southam

“When I started as receptionist my knowledge of the legal profession was minimal but as the years have passed, I have become more confident within the legal sector and I have a better knowledge and understanding of the types of cases required by a solicitor.

“My knowledge and confidence has grown through having supportive, kind and helpful colleagues and a great boss, Corrine Seabourne who supports and guides me where needed. It has been a pleasure and honour to build up the Southam office with Corrine.”

Corrine, Senior Associate, Private Client department, said: “It has been a privilege to see the office develop and expand. I especially enjoy working with the people of Southam and being a prominent part of their community.”

The office is open Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm and can be contacted on 01926 359355. Or visit: HERE.