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Village pub on the scent of a new idea for their visitors

Posted on December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 by admin

Fleur de Lys, Artibus Yard, scent

When visitors drop in to a popular south Warwickshire village pub it won’t just be the aromas of their award-winning pies that will now fill the air – but a recipe of a very different kind.

The Fleur de Lys, in Lowsonford, has teamed up with The Artibus Yard in Kenilworth to create a bespoke scent that they are promising depicts ‘an oasis of calm’ for its guests.

The award-winning pub, better known as the originator of the famous pie brand, has worked with the artisan candle and scent maker to create a signature scent that’s also available to purchase as a diffuser oil.

The ‘recipe’ blends cedar, fig, and cardamom – notes that were chosen in collaboration with licensee Emma Woodhouse to complement the age and character of the pub – warm, earthy, and gently spiced to echo its historic atmosphere while still feeling modern and inviting.

Fleur de Lys, Artibus Yard, scent — **Emma Woodhouse with the diffuser.**

Emma, who has run the Fleur de Lys for the past 11 years with her husband Nick, said: “Anyone who has stepped into The Artibus Yard shop in Kenilworth knows what an oasis of calm it is. Samantha has created a deliciously scented haven amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.

“We’ve been lucky to have her host a couple of her candle-making workshops here at the Fleur De Lys over the past 12 months and have been blown away by her knowledge and creativity.

“We asked her to develop a fragrance that conjured up memories of long cosy afternoons by our fireside, the glorious nature of the surrounding countryside and the kind of aromatic experience that we’d be happy to be synonymous with the Fleur. Luckily, she’s a genius parfumier who absolutely nailed our brief, presenting us with a few options before we nailed it down to this gorgeous diffuser oil bursting with cedar, fig and cardamom.”

She added: “We love it so much that we’ve commissioned The Artibus Yard to create a limited run for us so that you can take one home with you too and be reminded of your favourite Warwickshire pub during the times when you’re unable to pay us a visit in person.”

The project marks a first for entrepreneur Samantha Harris who crafts every piece by hand in her studio shop, in Warwick Road.

Sam also offers bi-weekly candle making workshops at her studio, which can also be brought to other venues and sells a variety of home accessories, gifts and confectionery.

She said: “Scent exploration happens on-site, where each blend is thoughtfully developed for you to discover. This is the first custom scent I’ve created specifically for a pub, which made the process especially exciting and meaningful.”

The Fleur De Lys was this year named Pub of the Year at The Coventry & Warwickshire Foodie Awards. It is nestled 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.

The signature scent diffuser can be purchased at The Fleur de Lys shop HERE.

More candle-making workshops at the Fleur will be announced in the New Year.

New Afternoon Tea Room is latest venture of husband and wife entrepreneurs

Posted on December 15, 2025 by admin

Caffeine Project, afternoon tea, Binley Woods — **Rafael and Lisa Hernandez**

Husband and wife coffee connoisseurs from Warwick are hoping to brew up a storm as the doors open on their latest venture.

Lisa and Rafael Hernandez are building on the success of their Caffeine Project coffee house and deli in Binley Woods, with a new Afternoon Tea room.

The modern 35-seater space, previously occupied by a furniture shop, is a hidden gem behind their existing café, which opened on Rugby Road in 2021. It marks the latest chapter for the couple whose entrepreneurial journey began seven years ago with their coffee brand.

Caffeine Project, afternoon tea, Binley Woods

It’s also another ambition realised for Rafael who has a background in hospitality and a degree in Culinary Arts from his native Mexico. His experience includes time spent working as a chef in Stratford before spending 10 years with Illy Coffee, where he learned about the industry from the ground up – literally – getting hands-on with coffee bean picking in Honduras.

He said: “Because of my line of work, I’d had the opportunity to visit practically every single coffee shop in the country and could see what was missing and what needed to change.

“When we opened Caffeine Project it was a gamble, but we wanted to be true to what we believed in, which is to have a place with great quality coffee and food. Likewise, when we opened the deli, we knew we had to offer quality products that we could sell to the public.”

Caffeine Project, afternoon tea, Binley Woods

He added: “I like afternoon teas and I knew that it would be something that could complement the café business really well. Also, as customers ourselves, we realised that there is more need for a high-end afternoon tea experience in Coventry.

“We wanted to offer a really nice contemporary experience, something with a different feel rather than the usual vintage style. It may not have the setting of a stately home or period building but we are confident it is equal in quality and ambience.”

The Caffeine Project signature coffee brand always looms large in Rafael’s business ethos – one of his three blends even brewed especially with locals in mind.

Caffeine Project, afternoon tea, Binley Woods

“I developed a coffee especially for Warwickshire, where people seem to really like strong coffee and that is our Ban de Blend, which is from Honduras, Brazil and Vietnam. Because Vietnamese coffee is quite strong,” he explained.

“If you’ve got good coffee, people will come back again and again. I worked hard to find a blend of coffee that cuts through milk really well because latte and cappuccino and flat white now are the main drinks consumed in the UK.

“And our decaf beans use a Mexican water process, so it’s decaffeinated with spring water rather than chemicals.”

The new licensed tea room opened on October 30^th with the support of Rugby Borough Council grant funding. Work is now under way on creating an on-site baking space to help further expand their offering.

The menu, all prepared fresh on the day by chef Jake Rouse, offers a choice of Afternoon Tea or Sparkling Afternoon Tea in relaxed contemporary surroundings with Vegetarian and Vegan alternatives available. Their Festive Menu is also now running until December 28^th.

Meanwhile, longstanding Caffeine Project Brazilian Head Chef Gustavo Eckhardt is keen to bring both his and Rafael’s international cooking influences to some of the café menu dishes.

Lisa added: “We are incredibly proud of the coffee shop and the community we’ve grown here. One of the things we have always done since the very beginning was to invest back into the business and the people.

Caffeine Project, afternoon tea, Binley Woods

“The staff in the coffee shop and deli are fantastic. They work so hard and they care about the customers. They all have their own part to play in the success.

“When the deli first opened and people started to come in, they were just delighted that they had somewhere like this. We are now getting people that pull up regularly for goods from the shop, especially our coffee and double yoker eggs!

“We’re trying to create a local one-stop quality shop. We listen to our customers. If they suggest stocking certain things, we give it a try. We have so many wonderful regulars that come in the café and deli all week.”

She added: “We always envisioned what we wanted to do with this new space once it became available two years ago, but we knew we had to focus on one business at a time, so we focused on the deli first.

“We’re excited to be widening our offering even more to create a different kind of experience for people who want something that bit extra special. The area was crying out for something like this. We look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces through the doors.”
Caffeine Project Afternoon Teas are available between 12-5pm Thursdays to Sundays.

To book visit HERE.

Nailcote Hall’s 20th Snow Ball brings Christmas cheer

Posted on December 12, 2025December 12, 2025 by admin

Nailcote Hall Hotel, Berkswell, Snowball, Salvation Army

The annual Snow Ball at Nailcote Hall Hotel Golf & Country Club has raised more than £5,000 for The Salvation Army.

The charity have also received sackfuls of gifts for their Christmas Toy Appeal, which will be delivered to disadvantaged children in the area on Christmas Day, thanks in part, to donations from the 220 guests who attended on the night in Balsall Common.

Nailcote Hall Hotel, Berkswell, Snowball, Salvation Army — Sue Cressman and the winner of a diamond pendant Cath Freshwater.

Hotelier Sue Cressman said: “The Snow Ball starts all of our Christmas Party Nights at Nailcote Hall. We have produced this event for 20 years and it goes from strength to strength. We are grateful to our sponsors Bidfood Food Service who, without their kind donation, we would not be able to present the top class entertainment we have each year.”

“This year there was a bumper amount of toys and gifts donated with a room filled with presents. I am so very grateful to all that attended this very special event.”

Helping to create the event’s festive atmosphere were The Salvation Army Band plus ‘special’ guests, Santa – ably assisted by Mrs Claus, Fairies, and The Elf on the Shelf.

A festive three-course meal was followed by performance courtesy of Britain’s Got Talent finalist Pippa Langhorne and the night ended with an auction, raffle and dancing to The Soundations, before Nailcote Hall’s resident DJ Franco wrapped up the evening’s entertainment.

Sue added: “We’re already taking bookings for The Snow Ball 2025 which will be on November 28th. This event goes from strength to strength, helping the vulnerable members of our community.”

Nailcote Hall has a host of Party Nights lined up on the run up to Christmas, including Beatles Tribute Show and The Dreamettes, both on December 19^th, Party Hits Night with The Core Band on December 20th on and New Year’s Eve Black Tie Ball. Bookings can be made via HERE.

Group that supports vulnerable women opens new shop and community hub

Posted on December 12, 2025 by admin

The Esther Project, Leamington, charity — **Photo by Karen Massey Photography.**

A Leamington group that works to support vulnerable women in the community this week celebrated the opening of their new shop and hub – back at the place where the project was first conceived nine years ago.

At an event on Wednesday (December 9^th) volunteers and specially invited guests gathered to mark the launch of the pre-loved shop, women’s hub, workspace and counselling room which has been 18 months in thew planning.

The unit, in Gloucester Street, is an extension of The Esther Project, a CiC established by Lianne Kirkman in 2023, followed by Esther House, a seven-bed supported living accommodation. A new drop-off point on the same street has also opened to help keep the shop stocked with pre-loved goods.

The Esther Project, Leamington, charity

The space, the original home of the early concept Esther Group in 2016,, can offer a full programme of support, training, and employability opportunities—from counselling sessions in the dedicated therapy room, to creative workshops and trauma-informed courses in the hub, and barista training and cooking classes in the kitchen. The women can also gain hands-on retail and customer service experience as supported volunteers in the pre-loved shop, helping them build confidence and new skills for the future.

Cutting the ribbon on both the shop and hub spaces were The Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox, Deputy Lieutenant, Clare Sawdon and High Sheriff Karen Lynch.

The Lord Lieutenant said: “We are very keen to support what Lianne and the fundraising team are doing. Thank you to the volunteers and everyone whose help has meant we have the foundations now for this project and we need to make sure it continues to grow.”

Lianne’s mission is to create, nurture and empower a community where every woman can heal, grow and reach their future potential. It does this through a range of services, including counselling, one-on-one support, creative activities, employability opportunities, and drop-in sessions. Esther House offers vulnerable women a safe space to recover.

Lianne said: “This marks a meaningful return to the very building where The Esther Group first began back in 2016, making the launch feel like a true homecoming. The hub has been created as a women-only space offering vital access to support, group workshops and therapeutic counselling. It will also provide hands-on opportunities for women to gain confidence and build skills in retail, barista work, baking, sewing and other skills.

“We’re proud to be working in collaboration with various other individuals and businesses such as the Corner Cottage Bakery who will be helping by offering real, practical experience that can open the door to future employment.

She added: “This new chapter has only been possible thanks to the incredible support we’ve received from the community and our partners. Reaching this point in just 18 short months is something we’re truly grateful for, and we look forward to welcoming women from across the area into a warm, supportive and empowering environment.

The Esther Project is a gender-specific initiative supporting women facing mental health challenges, escaping domestic abuse, recovering from addiction, transitioning from prison, or experiencing homelessness.

Until now, The Esther Project has operated primarily through a weekly drop-in session at All Saints Parish Church each Monday, alongside remote support, workshops, and training delivered off-site.

A timetable of courses is being planned including Kintsugi, yoga, skincare, trauma courses and wellbeing sessions.

Any professionals who would like to offer their time for workshops or courses at the hub are invited to contact Kerry Steward at: kerry@theestherproject.co.uk

Lianne added: “I would like to thank so many people who have helped us on this journey to create such a warm welcoming space, especially our sponsors, Richards Cadbury Trust, Rosemary Lamb, The Box Factory, Heart of England and two further anonymous donors. We’ve also had the help from Martin Adams & Co, JLR, Haystoun Construction, Balfour Beatty, Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, Gemma Grao, Michelle Abrahall, Rachael Reid Interiors, Feldon, Dunsmore Solicitors, Marianne Taviner, Laurence and Zani Franklin, TonyG Ltd, Karen Massey Photography and Farmers Fayre.

“The opening of the Pre-Loved Shop and Women’s Hub represents more than a new space. It’s a fresh start, a safe place to grow and a reminder of what can be achieved when a community stands together.”

The shop and drop-off points, at No. 6 and 12 Gloucester Street, are open between 10am-4pm Tuesdays-Saturdays.

Women can self-refer themselves to the hub via this link HERE.

Racecourse nominates Molly Ollys as charity partner of the season

Posted on December 8, 2025December 8, 2025 by admin

Molly Ollys, Warwick Racecourse

Racegoers are being invited to take a punt that will pay off for local charity at Warwick Racecourse this season.

Molly Ollys has been announced as the charity partner for the 2026 race season, with the first of ten fundraising races commencing on January 10^th. Highlight of the dates, which each attract between 2-8,000 racegoers, is the annual Molly Olly Race Day on April 23^rd.

The charity will also be beneficiaries of Warwick Racecourse’s Corporate Golf Day, on June 12^th.

Thomas Williams, General Manager of Warwick Racecourse said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Molly Ollys as our Charity Partner of the Year for 2026. Our connection with this wonderful organisation goes back many years, and Molly Ollys Raceday continues to be one of the true highlights of our season.

Molly Ollys, Warwick Racecourse

“The work the charity does is nothing short of remarkable, and we’re excited to work alongside the racing family and local community to support their fundraising efforts and help raise vital awareness throughout the year.”

Warwick Racecourse is one of the oldest and most historic racing venues in the UK, with roots dating back to the early 18th century. The racecourse has earned a reputation as a proving ground for future stars of Jump racing and often welcomes stars of the sport throughout the season.

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, Warwick Racecourse — **Rachel Ollerenshaw being interviewed at a previous Warwick race day.**

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 more than 4,300 wishes to date, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Olly The Brave is a therapeutic toy that helps children understand their treatment journey. Along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series, stock the lion and books now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres to distribute to children undergoing treatment. Olly has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy.

Part of more than £5m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and pay for the training of a further two consultants.

Rachel said: “Molly Ollys is thrilled to partner with Warwick Racecourse as their inaugural Charity of the Year. The collaboration will give us the opportunity to raise awareness of the work we’re doing to support children around the UK with life-threatening illnesses at 10 separate race days throughout 2026.

“With a number of popular race days at the all-jumps course, the racecourse attracts people from all over the country. Not only will this provide Molly Ollys with the chance to raise important funds but also speak to a number of different people from around the UK.

Molly Ollys, Warwick Racecourse

“We have worked with Tommy Williams and his team on a variety of events over the past few years, including race days, Warwick Half Marathon, golf days and the Warwick Racecourse Business Club.

“We have a fantastic relationship with the team and have enjoyed working with them for a number of years already. We sincerely hope this new initiative will help both organisations flourish.”

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