Category: News

A spectacular community art project which brought together the collaborative creative efforts of vulnerable women across the region, was unveiled for the first time at a special event in Leamington. (September 4^th)

Called ‘Queen,’ the impressive patchwork is made up of more than 1,000 hand-stitched hearts and flowers and took over six months to complete.

The seven-metre hooded cape, is the initiative of The Esther Project, a Leamington-based CiC dedicated to supporting vulnerable women, including those dealing with mental health challenges, escaping domestic abuse, overcoming addiction, transitioning from prison or facing homelessness.

It was completed with the backing of Leamington Town Council’s Community Grant Fund, established to support Community and Voluntary groups with projects that are of benefit to the wider Leamington Spa community.

Lisa Nicolle, spokesperson for The Esther Project, said: “The Queen project exemplifies how craft and creativity can empower individuals, while building links with the wider community. It brings together women from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and breaking down barriers between age groups, skill levels and social experience.

“Each stitch carries a story – of courage after hardship, of rebuilding confidence, of daring to dream of a new future. Piece by piece, these individual creations have been joined together to form a spectacular cape fit for a queen.

“It is more than an artwork – it is a powerful symbol of what is possible when women stand together, support one another, and believe in themselves again. The project brings women together in a supportive and collaborative setting, reducing feelings of isolation.”

She added: “Craft activities like crochet and patchwork promote relaxation and offer mental health benefits and participants gain a sense of pride and accomplishment by contributing to a visible and meaningful art installation. A group activity like this also fosters social bonds, which are crucial for mental health, as well as encouraging self-confidence, teaching planning, coordination, and project execution skills.”

The Esther Project was established by Lianne Kirkman in 2023 – her mission, to create a nurturing and empowering 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 – a seven-bed supported living accommodation, opens its doors for vulnerable women who need a safe space to recover.

Many of the ladies who attend The Esther Project’s weekly support groups also had a hand in creating the designs which were then meticulously sewn onto the cape over several weeks by a team of hardworking volunteers, overseen by Judith Perry.

Judith said: “The ladies have made various contributions involving learning new skills – not only crochet, but also papier mâché, fabric painting and beading, all of which adorn the cape. And many different organisations and individuals were involved in making the hearts and flowers, including local WI groups and members of Leamington Studio Artists.”

Specially invited guests, including the mayor and Warwickshire Police Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe, gathered to witness The Queen’s grand unveiling at The Riverside Glasshouse in Jephson Gardens on Thursday, ahead of its tour of other locations in the town.

Mr Seccombe said: “The Esther Project is doing fantastic work and Lianne is one in a million. I know it will continue to grow and the cape is incredible.

“One of the main themes of my real time plan is to put more and more into prevention of reoffending and this is one of the projects that’s making a difference.”

Leamington Mayor Councillor Ruggy Singh said: “It’s not very often we have the opportunity to come back and hear about the fantastic work that has taken place as a result of our community funding. It’s a wonderful cause, creating a space where women can come together, find support and be part of a community that helps them through life’s hardest challenges. I would like to thank you for the amazing work you continue to do. The difference you make to those who need it most is truly invaluable.”

The cape is also on display at The Autumn Market at The Pump Rooms this weekend (September 6^th-7^th) as well as The Esther Project’s Fundraising Dinner on February 7^th at Kings High School, in Warwick.

Further information about the work of The Esther Project can be found HERE. Donations can be made via HERE.

Why Does The Esther Project Exist?

While women are often less visible on the streets rough sleeping, they actually make up 60% of those who are homeless and in temporary accommodation. In the last 10 years, the number of women in England who are homeless has increased by 88%. The evidence from the latest census, conducted across 41 local authorities, estimates there may be up to nine times as many women rough sleeping across England than the government’s annual rough sleeping snapshot suggests.

Globally, women are disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination, inter-personal violence and exploitation. Women have fewer economic assets than men and limited participation in influencing economic and social policies. Women also perform the bulk of childcare and household work and have less access to education and economic opportunities than men in their societies (UN Women, n.d.). Despite some important increases in women’s equality in the 20th Century it is still the case that women in Britain are likely to:

• Earn less money than men
  • Undertake certain kinds of paid work (e.g. lower paid, personal services)
  • Enjoy less progression at work
  • Have less freedom and leisure than men
  • Spend more time looking after people

For some women and girls these structural factors, combined with gendered life experiences, such as being a victim of violence, lead to extremely difficult lives. Women may be dealing with multiple issues at any one time, such as:

• Homelessness
  • Involvement in prostitution or sexual exploitation
  • Mental health problems
  • Domestic violence
  • Drug and alcohol problems
  • Contact with the criminal justice system

Hollies frontman Peter Howarth returns to Nailcote Hall by popular demand following a hugely successful debut at the hotel earlier in the year.

For 20 years Howarth has been the lead singer of one of the UK and Europe’s most popular rock and pop bands, which boasts more hit records than The Beatles – including He Aint Heavy, He’s My Brother; The Air That I Breathe, Long Cool Woman; Here I Go Again and Carrie Anne.

Ahead of his latest much-anticipated Berkswell gig, he recalls how he came to join the famous band, which recently completely a 60^th anniversary world tour with two of its original members Bobby Elliot and Tony Hicks.

“When I was a young lad and I was in a rock band called Sahara, I came down to London to find fame and fortune in the early 80s and we wanted to try out a keyboard player because it was basically a guitar-based band. The base player knew a keyboard player who came along and played with us for one night and there was nothing wrong with him, but we just decided we wanted to keep it guitar based after all. That chap was Ian Parker who has been with the Hollies for around 45 years and he is the one who, years later, recommended me for the Hollies gig.

“He originally called me about in 1997 but I was playing the role of Roy Orbison at the time. But I said if the opportunity ever comes up again let me know. Carl Wayne, former frontman of the Move, had stepped in but he tragically passed away with throat cancer and Ian contacted me again and we met up in a little hotel in the middle of London. I sang three of their songs on the Monday and then I was in Germany on the Friday doing a 40-minute set with them!”

He added: “It was an honour to be asked. It was funny really because I wasn’t really a fan of the band at the time. I knew them but it was my brother who was a huge fan. He couldn’t believe it when I was asked to join them.

“I didn’t appreciate the gravitas of it but it soon became apparent because the trouble with taking over a role in a famous band like that is that, no matter how good you are, you’ll never be as good as the person you’re replacing because they’ve created their own personal stamp.

“People get cross that you’re there and I got a lot of abuse. But the band is not about one particular person, it’s about Tommy’s guitar playing, Bob’s drumming and the harmonies and, of course, the songs. The people who come every year have come to accept the band how it is now and they have a great time.”

For the past 35 years, Howarth has written, recorded, played, sung and toured worldwide with a variety of artists ranging from Cliff Richard to The Who.

His time in theatres is something he looks back on most fondly, playing the role of Roy Orbison in Bill Kenwright’s Only The Lonely and Four Steps To Heaven at London’s Picadilly and Whitehall Theatres as well as around the UK.

It was also for his late friend Bill that he wrote the musical Robin Prince of Sherwood, and took on the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham in the West End and on tour, a personal career highlight.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said. “It wasn’t something I went looking for. The guy who originally played the lead in the show lost his voice – 30 songs a night and eight shows a week took their toll on him. Bill phoned me up and just said ‘Can you sing like Roy Orbison?’ And I said ‘no.’ And he said ‘but you can hit all the notes though, can’t you? Come and see me tomorrow.’

“So I went and watched him as he auditioned Orbisons and then after we’d seen everyone he said to me, ‘Right, get up there and sing Only The Lonely.’ I said ‘I don’t know it!’ So he told me to learn it. So I learned it and sang it on the theatre stage and then he handed me a script and said ‘Can you do an American accent?’ And I said ‘I’ve no idea.’ So we acted out part of a scene there and then. I read two lines and he said, ‘Right, you’re on on Monday!’

“I had about eight days to learn the show. It came to be one of most incredible things I’ve done. It was such a thrill. A very odd experience but one I do cherish. It was an amazing part of my life. The whole thing has been emblazoned on my soul.”

Today, Howarth, 65, enjoys success as the co-founder of the acoustic trio Frontm3n, formed with former 10CC musician Mick Wilson and Pete Lincoln from the band Sweet. He also continues to tour with his own solo show, Peter Howarth Unplugged and spends many months of the year at sea entertaining cruise ship audiences.

Reflecting, he said: “When I was a kid all I wanted to be was a professional musician, I just wanted to make a living doing music. I didn’t particularly want to be a superstar and never in a million years expected to be working in the West End. When things are going well it’s great. But when you’ve got a family to feed and the phone isn’t ringing, that’s when it’s not so clever.

“My parents were supportive. They weren’t showbiz parents but they were just happy for me to do something I enjoyed and they were quite impressed by the fact that at a very young age I was earning very good money doing it.

An Audience With Peter Howarth is on Saturday, September 27^th at Nailcote Hall and also includes a three-course dinner and DJ until 1am.

Co-owner of the hotel Sue Cressman said: “I am delighted that Peter Howarth is returning to the intimate surroundings of The Lant Suite at Nailcote Hall. We are all looking forward to welcoming him and once again, hearing the timeless hits of The Hollies and Roy Orbison.”

Bookings for this and a host of other Party Nights every weekend at Nailcote Hall can be made HERE.

Tickets are now also on sale for two of the venue’s biggest charity galas of the year – The Pink Ball, on October 4^th, raising funds for Breast Cancer equipment; and The Snowball, on November 29^th, raising funds for The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.