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Happy New Year – although it feels weird saying that in what has already been an incredibly eventful year! January is always a challenging month and 2021 is proving no different. It's typically a month we all hunker down and stay wrapped up and warm and so in that there is no change. The fact that many of us are unable to do this with the ones we love and care for though is, undeniably, hard but, if time sacrificed seeing loved ones this January means I get to spend time with them for years yet to come then it is a price worth paying. And, if by me staying home I give the same opportunity to the families of others, then even better; what better way to start the new year with an act of kindness, love and selflessness.
There is light at the end of the tunnel and our journey to it is progressing. And at the end of that tunnel there are so many exciting things coming to Coventry! We can’t wait to be writing about what’s happening in the region as we all come out of lockdown and back into the warmth of the sun’s rays.
In that spirit of optimism and positivity, we wanted to focus on what good things are coming and what's happening at the moment to keep us occupied- from theatre show streaming and box set bingeing to volunteering opportunities and creative challenges – we have all the details.
So, keep calm, keep cosy, keep safe and we’ll speak soon
Take care Jon, Kevin and the FU Fighters @ DLUXE.
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OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE
What does Charles Dickens keep in his spice rack?
The best of thymes, the worst of thymes.
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WARWICKSHIRE OLYMPIC DUO LAUNCH NEW FITNESS PROGRAMME FOR THE NATION’S OVER 40’S
Two former Olympians – including a multi-medal winner and MBE – officially launch an inspiring new fitness project aimed at improving functional fitness in the nation’s over 40’s.
Olympic husband and wife duo, Neil Adams MBE and Niki Adams have launched their challenge to the nation’s underfit, overweight and over 40’s to get functionally fit with them, as part of their new venture, The Adams Family-
read all about it here!
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INTRODUCING LYNDSAY SMITH: NEW RETAIL SUPPORT TEAM LEADER FOR COVENTRY BID
Being the new recruit in any business and starting on the day that Lockdown 3.0 is announced is a baptism of fire by anyone standards. Add into the mix that said business is instrumental in delivering a world-class, year-long program of events for UK City of Culture 2021 and Lyndsay Smith better have her running shoes on, as life is going to be lived at 100mph from here on in.
This edition, we’re getting to know Lyndsay Smith, the new Hospitality & Retail Support Team Leader at Coventry BID. Find out all about her here.
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GIVE A LAPTOP AND HELP KIDS LEARN IN LOCKDOWN
Local BBC radio has been the friend, agony aunt and shoulder to lean on for many listeners throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. And now, as schools return to online learning once more, it’s time to be there again by relaunching the Make a Difference: Give a Laptop campaign to help provide access to laptops and devices for children and young people in need find out how to get involved here.
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OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME OFFERED TO COVENTRY APPRENTICES
Coventry and Warwickshire apprentices, aged between 16 and 27 make up 14 of the apprentice's cohort who have started on the ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ after being deployed across the different departments which make up the Coventry City of Culture Trust team- find out more about the roles and who has filled them here.
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CRAFT BREWERY TO SET UP SHOP IN CITY SPIRE
A landmark Coventry building is being turned into a continental café bar in time for UK City of Culture after a deal was agreed with a local craft brewery – get all the info here.
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TWENTY-ONE HEROES OF COVENTRY FOR 2021
More than 100 people were nominated by friends, family or neighbours as Coventry Heroes for the #OurCovHeroes campaign, launched in the summer by Coventry City of Culture Trust. The final 21 were then selected by a panel of young people from Coventry Youth Activist Group and the Belgrade Theatre after being recognised for their acts of kindness- read all about them here.
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USING MUSIC TO PROTECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING LOCKDOWN
So, we have been plunged into Lockdown 3 and it isn’t pretty. Increasingly, we have been encouraged to look after our physical fitness but how about our mental well-being? Artist and Musician Sandra Godley looks at how music can improve your mental well being. Read her thoughts here.
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COVENTRY SET TO LIFT SPIRITS OF THE UK
Coventry is ‘well placed to lift the spirits of the UK’, according to a recent meeting of members of the UK City of Culture judging panel – including Chair Sir Phil Redmond - when they met online with members of the Coventry City of Trust and Chief Executive of Coventry City Council, Martin Reeves, to review their progress towards delivering the 2021 year, starting in May 2021. The discussion took place almost three years to the day since it was announced that Coventry had landed the title and the panel was impressed with the progress being made despite the disruption that Covid-19 has caused. Find out what was said here.
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RESIDENT CALL OUT TO GET INVOLVED WITH COMMUNITY ART PROJECTS
Coventry City of Culture Trust is asking for local people to lead and take part in different projects and events in 2021 including Window Wanderland, a community project that sees neighbourhoods create artwork trails; International Changemakers Bursary, a digital international exchange in partnership with the British Council; and Abundance, a call-out for new and emerging artistic talent from those with South Asian backgrounds to develop their skills on an eight-week course and help to co-create the Carnival of Lights next year find out how to get involved here.
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VEGANUARY: MEAT FREE OPTIONS IN COVENTRY
Veganism isn’t just for January, and the number of Brits turning to a plant-based diet is continuing to grow, with 2021 looking to be no exception. The growth in interest means more vegan restaurants, vegan menus, and vegan takeaways and Coventry is no exception.
Ellan Manning of Visit Coventry has compiled a list of just a few vegan options to keep those on a plant-based or meat-free diet well fed - even through tighter restrictions when it comes to eating out – read their recommendations here.
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GALLERY SUPPORTS LOCAL ARTISTS WITH MICRO COMMISION SCHEME
The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is supporting local creatives with regular micro-commission opportunities of £700 to develop new work which can be shared digitally across the gallery’s social media channels and website with Coventry-based spoken word poet John Bernard the first recipient of funding.
See his work in the film above and click here to find out more about the scheme.
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FINAL DAYS TO ENTER FIRST COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS
Rising to the challenges of the pandemic is at the heart of three special awards for businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire. Forming part of the inaugural Foodie Awards 2021, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and Visit Coventry, they are a celebration of the best of the region’s food and drink scene as they re-emerge from a year of lockdowns- and you’ve still got time to nominate – find out more here.
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MAP RELEASED OF UK’S SILLIEST PLACE NAMES
Why not start planning a post lockdown wacky road trip to visit some of the silliest place names around the UK? Nasty, Wetwang and Catbrain are just three of many towns, villages and hamlets that cheeky travellers could tick off on the road trip map compiled and designed by LeaseCar.uk.
In Scotland, travellers could pass through a number of places with funny and strange names like Brawl, Brokenwind, Lost, and Whiterashes. Yorkshire is home to its fair share, too – Crackpot, Giggleswick, Wetwang and Blubberhouses can all be found in this historic county.
Down south, drivers may find themselves passing through Donkey Town, Curry Mallet, Brown Willy and Loose Bottom. In Wales, travellers will find Mumbles and Plwmp whilst in Ireland, residents of Stranagalwilly might have a hard time being taken seriously. Click the image to see the map
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