Thursday 8th May 2025 marks 80 years since World War II ended in Europe Communities across Stratford-on-Avon District are organising events to celebrate this historical date For more information about any of the events please follow this link.  If you are hosting a VE Day 80th anniversary event and would like your event listed here, please contact us at corporate.communications@stratford-dc.gov.uk  Stratford-on-Avon District CouncilElizabeth House Home   News   Article Travellers have moved into a Stratford park overnight A resident reported the encampment to the Herald this morning (Friday) and we are waiting to hear back from the council and police The resident said: “It looks like the travellers broke into park in Stratford at end of Joseph Way They have set up camp on the football field Another group of travellers had also stayed overnight on the King Edward VI School playing fields in Manor Road They were reported to have moved in on Thursday evening but had left the site this morning (Friday) But it would be a very odd thing if any of these peoples had their national poet taken away from them or were forced to have their national poet insulted Douglas Murray is associate editor of The Spectator and author of The War on the West: How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3 Already a subscriber? Log in which are part of Warwickshire County Council’s libraries service have achieved the award in the Midlands region category The service's award nomination placed particular emphasis on Stratford-upon-Avon and Alcester libraries’ Chatterbooks for Reluctant Readers programme, which has also been recently shortlisted for a Reading Award by Libraries Connected The programme is aimed at engaging with school children who may otherwise never attend their local library Stratford-upon-Avon and Alcester libraries are now among just ten Regional and Country Winners selected from across the country to be in the running for the prestigious Library of the Year award at The British Book Awards 2025 The overall Library of the Year award winner will be announced at The British Book Awards ceremony on Monday 12 May 2025 The Library of the Year award recognises libraries for their innovation and their ability to establish themselves as vital reading hubs that support local needs within their communities The award can recognise individual libraries as well as work done across library districts The award is sponsored by DK and delivered in association with The Reading Agency. To view the full list of Library of the Year Regional and Country Winners, visit The Bookseller website Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation “This is fantastic news for Stratford-upon-Avon and Alcester to be recognised on a national level and I would once again like to congratulate our libraries staff who continue to deliver our enriching and vibrant library service offer We are keeping our fingers crossed for the national Library of the Year award later in the Spring but we are already so proud of their achievement in winning the regional award “Warwickshire Libraries provide a diverse range of resources event and activities that are suitable for all ages and are available to access for free through a no-cost membership Our libraries are friendly and welcoming spaces that meet our residents’ needs but most importantly they help to bring the people in our communities together and feel a sense of belonging.” To keep-up to date with Warwickshire Libraries’ latest information and events, follow the service on Facebook and Instagram, or sign-up to the weekly newsletter. Warwickshire Libraries is also a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) in Arts Council England’s funding plans for 2023-26, which means it’s receiving funding from Arts Council England’s Investment Programme over three years to deliver a programme of free cultural and creative outreach activities. who has led the council for almost 12 years The Lib Dems are the second largest party with 14 seats Conservatives had a strong majority before the election Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWho would Reform join forces with?published at 17:09 British Summer Time 2 May17:09 BST 2 MaySimon GilbertPolitical Reporter The Conservatives would be the obvious choice A joint Reform and Conservative administration would surely be the focus of widespread attention with the recurring incessant chatter around a possible future merging of the two parties The coming days and weeks of political manoeuvring will decide who leads the county But it could significant for the country - depending on the partnerships formed and their success or failure Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingCounty set for a 'completely new broom' - Lib Demspublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 2 May16:57 BST 2 MayDan SambellBBC Radio CWR Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingStratford-upon-Avon is being painted yellowpublished at 16:48 British Summer Time 2 May16:48 BST 2 MaySimon GilbertPolitical Reporter While today has been a huge success for Reform in the north of the county the failure of the Conservative leader Izzi Seccombe to hold on to her seat in Stour & The Vale is more to do with the surge of the Liberal Democrats in Stratford-upon-Avon That’s a town now under Liberal Democrat control after the last district council election when they dethroned the Tories The Liberal Democrats also ousted the Tory MP at the General Election Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingReform happy to work with Tories at a local levelpublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 2 May16:38 BST 2 MayJames BovillBBC News chairman of the Warwick and Leamington branch of Reform has said his party is happy to work with the Conservatives on a local level He said meetings were already planned in terms of working with other parties and Reform was "happy to talk with anyone who thinks they can add value to what we offer" "Reform is a lot more of a centrist party than people expect," he said "They attract just as much from Labour heartlands as Conservative heartlands We’re now at a stage where we understand that Britain is broken Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingA number of coalition options over coming dayspublished at 16:28 British Summer Time 2 May16:28 BST 2 MaySimon GilbertPolitical Reporter It’s not impossible that the other parties could attempt to stifle Reform Tory and Green coalition would have the numbers to keep Reform out of power Perhaps Whitnash Residents Association could become the kingmaker in that scenario Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFinal result declared with a Liberal Democrat winpublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 2 May16:13 BST 2 MayDan SambellBBC Radio CWR The final result has been declared in Stoneleigh The county council make up is now - nine seats for the Tories 23 Reform and one for the Whitnash Residents Association Election Results, external Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingHow are Labour performing in Warwickshire?published at 16:02 British Summer Time 2 May16:02 BST 2 MaySo far the Labour Party has won seats in: said she would look at provisions for social care We are now waiting to find out who the final four will be Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingReform gains see Tory seat go to Lib Demspublished at 15:18 British Summer Time 2 May15:18 BST 2 MayIn former council leader Izzi Seccombe's Stour & The Vale ward Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingCouncil slips to no overall controlpublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 2 May15:10 BST 2 MaySimon GilbertPolitical Reporter No party will have overall control of Warwickshire County Council Exactly 29 seats are needed for an overall majority and no one party is now able to reach that number Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingReform will be biggest party in Warwickshirepublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 2 May14:57 BST 2 MaySimon GilbertPolitical Reporter The party has currently won 22 seats in the county A further seven are needed for a majority and overall control of the council Reform is likely to look to form a joint administration and create a partnership that will allow it to govern and push the changes members want through council votes Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWhat does the county council do?published at 14:48 British Summer Time 2 May14:48 BST 2 MaySo what does the county council do for you Other public services in the county council area are controlled by the more local district council You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience If you are already a member and your access has been denied Resend activation email? Click here Forgotten password? Click here Gives you all the benefits above. The rate is £68 plus VAT per year less a 20% discount if you are renewing your subscription within 28 days or, as someone new to Gardenforum, you have taken a Free Preview in the last 24 hours Gives 2 or more members of your team full access to Gardenforum at reduced rates They will enjoy all the benefits mentioned above so we haven't convinced you to take an annual subscription and there's some information you would really like to read perhaps it's a key news item or some company results The solution is a Trial Membership for 24 hours for £10 plus VAT If you are new to Gardenforum and would like a Free Preview You will have full access free for two hours It will also give you 20% off Personal Membership if you subscribe within 24 hours You will also be entitled to receive the Gardenforum newsletters such as Briefing If you would like further information please e-mail subscriptions@gardenforum.co.uk Join nowor trial us Free Gardenforum is a trade website for the UK garden industry Sign up to our popular News and Product emails Terms and Conditions Acceptable Use Policy Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Download the Gardenforum Media Pack Gardenforum enjoys around 50,000 page views a month Repeated views of your banner will build recognition and confidence in your company Email: info@gardenforum.co.uk Look forward to hearing from you © Gardenforum 2025 | This site is intended for use by UK businesses only Gardenforum will not be responsible for any loss or liability arising from use by any other party Start Here Resources to help everyone in rowing keep the sport safe and clean and to safeguard participants Safe Sport Resources Competition calendars plus information about entering organising and volunteering at rowing competitions Racing and the popular British Rowing Indoor Championships Indoor Rowing The GB Rowing Team is the high performance arm of British Rowing GB Rowing Team As the club reaches this significant milestone key members reflect on the past and look forward to the future “The Club was formed in 1874: the central part of the clubhouse dates from the 1890s and remained much the same until after WW2 has added various additional areas since then A fine record for a club that has always had very limited resources!” “Junior rowing at Stratford upon Avon BC has transformed over the last 150 years Our clubhouse walls display the early achievements of a few dedicated schoolboy rowers from the 1900s yet today’s junior rowing scene in Stratford has grown tremendously We now have a thriving squad of around eighty boys and girls alongside a growing number of adaptive junior rowers “Our mission is to prepare young athletes for a lifelong passion in rowing our junior programme offers them the full spectrum of the sport – sculling Competing across regional and national events Stratford BC’s juniors are a regular presence at some of the country’s most competitive races bringing back medals and trophies that celebrate a tradition of success “None of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteer coaches safety launch drivers and the many supporters who make it all happen But perhaps the strongest testament to our junior programme is the legacy of our athletes: many go on to row at other clubs and universities some become coaches guiding the next generation and a select few have even reached the heights of Olympic and World Champion glory we’re excited to build on our legacy and carry junior rowing on the Avon forward for another one hundred and fifty years!” “My first thought on being a volunteer at Stratford upon Avon BC was of immense gratitude to the many people who have selflessly given their time and energy to the club drove me all the way to Trentham Regatta for my first race as a junior with the sculling boat strapped to the roof of his old Ford Escort “My first serious stint as a volunteer was captaining the club in the mid-1990s when it had suffered several setbacks I am eternally grateful to the many people who stepped up to do tasks such as repairing boats coaching and acting as vice captains for the different squads “Family and career limited my opportunity to give much support to the club for a while but I remained a member of ‘Team Hamburger’ for many years which was great fun as well as a good fundraiser enabling me to repay some of the support the Club has given me I am privileged to provide safety cover and occasional coaching tips for the youngest members of the Club: it is immensely satisfying to watch these youngsters grow from nervous beginners to confident capable young adults who show great team spirit.” World Rowing Junior Championships gold medalist 2010 and rowing commentator “It’s been fantastic to see the Club feature so strongly at every level of the sport grassroots and also participating in brilliant community initiatives What makes the Club so successful and special is its ability to support members and athletes with whatever their aspirations may be To see Stratford Boat Club’s name feature amongst some of the largest clubs and events up and down the country still instils a huge sense of pride in me “The Club was instrumental in making me feel welcome and at home with a new sport when first taking it up at Stratford School and encouraged me to take it all the way to the highest level I would not still be involved with rowing to the level I am today and it’s always wonderful to return home to visit and see the next generation of Stratford junior rowers falling in love with the sport in the same way I did twenty years ago A highlight this year was to witness the 150th year celebrations at Henley Royal Regatta and seeing the diversity of the Club’s membership represented on this world famous course!” Masters’ Vice Captain and medal winning Masters’ sculler and rower “The Masters’ squad has seen considerable growth in rowing membership post Covid: It is now a regular occurrence to see Masters’ crews taking to the river every day of the week and throughout the seasons in all boat classes “The aim of the squad is twofold: firstly to enable members to row independently as single scullers giving flexibility to enjoy the river when they have the opportunity connecting and meeting other members to form crews thereby having fun rowing in a variety of boat classes.” Masters rowers at Stratford benefit from being part of a readymade community where members meet new people make friends and join in with the club rowing and social activities Rowing is a fabulous sport that strengthens physical and mental health offering the opportunity for competitive racing at all levels The Masters’ squad at Stratford enters all levels of competition from novice to European level The winter head races and summer regattas are a huge amount of fun through which further connections with the wider rowing community are forged The Masters’ women have seen the most significant development over the last two years The nature of the rowing stroke and strengthening work is particularly beneficial for growing bone density and women can feel hugely empowered by others in the crew which makes rowing particularly attractive as a sport for life Amanda adds, “The highlight of this year was the Masters Women’s eight racing at the Vesta International Masters Head of the River Race and we were further inspired when Esme Booth came to support her mother and the other women who were in that crew Esme’s achievements in rowing for GB are hugely motivational for the Masters’ women as – she is a role model showing us all being the best version of what we can achieve for ourselves and through dedication to your crew!” Esme Booth “I owe so much of my success to Stratford upon Avon BC and it was here that my journey in the sport began The supportive environment taught me essential skills and instilled in me the discipline needed to operate at the highest level The Club’s training and team mindset set a strong foundation preparing me to tackle the intensive training programme at Oxford Brookes University seizing every opportunity and putting in the hard work The support and encouragement from Stratford upon Avon BC’s coaches and my teammates made those early years memorable and motivating They showed me that success doesn’t just mean winning but taking every opportunity and always giving it one hundred percent “I hope my story inspires young rowers at the club to pursue their dreams knowing they have a strong community behind them Stratford BC is where it all started for me and I’m grateful for the role the club played in helping me achieve everything I have in my rowing career!” former Chairman of British Rowing’s Club Adaptive Group/Adaptive Strategy Group and Ambassador for International Mixed Ability Sports “Stratford’s award winning Adaptive Section started in 2015 is the largest most impairment diverse squad in the UK the squad has an enviable competitive record It is widely regarded as the most advanced provision in the country and it has an important role in mentoring other less experienced clubs on best practice The primary focus is delivery of an enjoyable sport to many but with the ability to support those with Paralympic ambitions The recent formation of a junior adaptive squad bodes well for the future.” Order yours now Director Michael Longhurst takes on the challenging task of transporting a not often performed Shakespearean comedic classic into the 21st century While many may have doubts about presenting Shakespeare through the lens of football’s laddish culture and WAGs this production is a brilliant surprise for those looking for a snapping The play revolves around two main plots: the romantic entanglement of Claudio (Daniel Adeosun) and Hero (Eleanor Worthington-Cox) and the witty banter between Beatrice (Freema Agyeman) and Benedick (Nick Blood) who initially despise each other but eventually fall in love with characters scheming to bring about and disrupt romantic unions Shakespearean diehards may take to the streets to hear that rather than soldiers in an army we now have raucous footballers and celebrity antics decorating the Bard’s stage the significance of the mistreatment of women and the superficial nature of this fickle world remains the same and does not lose any of its richer or more meaningful moments we are we deeply invested in the fate of these characters despairing when they despair and laughing when they laugh A show can succeed or fall depending on the strength of the leads and with Agyeman and Blood at the helm this production blows all expectations out of the park Their witty banter walks that careful balance between rushed and dragging allowing the audience time to absorb every nuance it is their physical comedy that steals the show which despite a circular pool centre-stage forcing some of the action upstage cuts through lengthy dialogue and lightens the mood where needed It’s a much-appreciated fresh take on the play which provides not only a new appeal to modern audiences but also questions whether our treatment of women in the limelight has advanced as much as we think it has Do we in modern society hold the wives and girlfriends to a much higher standard Do we delight in their downfall when they inevitably fail to maintain the image of perfection demanded of them For those new to Shakespeare it is an opportunity to prove how Shakespeare is ‘Not of an age but for all time’ through a topic they are sufficiently familiar with to grasp onto the main plot points Just try not to let the football theme dissuade you there is enough of the play’s original bones and subplot to keep everyone happy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Comment Editor Lauren Penzer gives us her guide to Stratford-upon-Avon praising the town’s historical architecture and literary offerings Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the most beautiful towns in the world being an English Literature student with an affinity for Shakespearean studies I like to think my appreciation for the town remains true someone with a love of the arts and theatre or someone simply looking for a nice day trip So let’s take a little tour around this quaint market-town Next stop is an adorable little bookshop right down the street from The Shakespeare Institute. Chaucer Head Bookshop houses a beautiful collection of second-hand books My favourite section of this shop is towards the back where the shelves are lined with beautiful vintage copies of classic novels and poetry collections It’s a lovely little hole-in-the-wall shop hidden amongst the gorgeous architecture of the cobblestone streets The next stop on our tour is one of my favourite Shakespeare monuments in the town: The Jester Statue seeing this funny little guy always makes me smile The statue was commissioned to honour Shakespeare inscribed with the following phrase: ‘as a token of his esteem for the town in which he was born lives and works and which has given him so much friendship The Jester Statue is in homage to Shakespeare’s As you like it and houses a hilariously Shakespearean pun with the clown in that play being named Jester Touchstone There are very affordable ticket options for students and Stratford-upon-Avon is only a short train away so I would highly recommend seeing a play if you have the time the Royal Shakespeare Company has collaborated with the University of Birmingham and their students for decades Last, but certainly not least, a dedication to one of my favourite pubs in Stratford-upon-Avon (if you don’t count the Wetherspoons with the fancy red plates). The Dirty Duck is a lovely pub down from the Swan Theatre While the menu is nothing particularly exciting the pub has a beautiful outdoor seating area with a perfect view of the river After a long day exploring Stratford-upon-Avon it’s the perfect place to relax and look through all your goodies Escaping the City: BCLM and Stratford-upon-Avon 72 Hours in… Glasgow A Book-Lover’s Guide to Paris Travel Writer Tabitha Tremlett offers us her guide to the best areas long the coast in South Devon Travel Writer Rosie Burningham gives us an overview of her year abroad at McGill University documenting life in Montréal and how it shaped her as a person Music Critic Soliyana Pellicer Alemayehu reviews Bad Bunny's newest album discussing the album's blending of old and new aspects of Puerto Rican culture Music Critic Simran Seera reviews K-pop band Stray Kids' EP discussing the musical variety and reflections on fame and success present Lauv and LANY's voices blend seamlessly together to narrate the story of a one-sided relationship As we say goodbye to Hamlet and Edward II, we welcome two new bold productions to kick off our Co-Artistic Directors' second season First up is Shakespeare's original rom-com, Much Ado About Nothing set in the glamorous and competitive world of professional football followed by the legendary Simon Russell Beale as Titus Andronicus in Shakespeare's bloodiest play - where revenge is a dish served piping hot with brand new Riverside and Ghost tours added to our roster and our annual celebrations for Shakespeare's Birthday on 26 April The winners are back from the action and a celebrity wedding is on the cards But not everyone wants the big day to go off without a hitch former Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse directs Freema Agyeman and Nick Blood as the warring lovers set in the world of top-flight football and celebrity culture Don't miss the Director Talk on 21 April. Much Ado About Nothing plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 12 April to 24 May Book tickets When victorious general Titus Andronicus executes his enemy’s son in a merciless show of vengeance he has no idea of the evil his actions will incite Director Max Webster examines Shakespeare’s bloodiest play through the lens of 21st century aggression Tony and BAFTA Award winner Simon Russell Beale takes the title role with Emma Fielding as Marcia Andronicus and Natey Jones as Aaron the Moor Find out more at the Director Talk on 25 April Titus Andronicus plays at the Swan Theatre from 17 April to 7 June Book tickets A perfect storm brings a feuding family and a king together on a magical island in this 80-minute version of The Tempest, creating the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for young people aged 7-13 and their families First Encounters: The Tempest tours theatres schools and community venues until 10 May BOOK NOW LEARNING RESOURCES Benjamin Britten has just nine months to write a wildly ambitious new opera to celebrate the Coronation of Elizabeth II force of nature and daughter of Gustav Holst they must race against the clock to complete the work a task that will test the very edges of their passionate friendship After its acclaimed run in Stratford-upon-Avon multi award-winning cast of Samuel Barnett and Victoria Yeates once again in this powerful play directed by Erica Whyman Book tickets April is your last chance to see the Olivier Award-nominated Kyoto from playwrights Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson starring Olivier Best Actor in a Supporting Role nominee Jorge Bosch This tense and gripping' (Guardian) political thriller from the RSC Rachel Styne and Jessica Foung seats you at the heart of the 1997 Kyoto Conference and shows that even in a climate of rapidly rising temperatures Book tickets *SOLD OUT* Returned tickets are periodically added back to the @sohoplace website so check back daily for any last-minute availability this "utterly beguiling" (The Stage) staging of the celebrated 1988 Studio Ghibli animated feature has re-opened in the West End 20,000 more tickets have been released at £25 or under so don't miss the chance to see this “jaw-dropping” (Metro) show My Neighbour Totoro is playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre Book tickets Winner of over 100 international awards, Matilda the Musical has been delighting audiences in London’s West End for more than 13 years. And now, with the first 12 venues announced in its upcoming UK & Ireland Tour there are now even more opportunities to be revolting Inspired by the beloved children's book by Roald Dahl armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind dares to take a stand and change her own destiny Matilda the Musical is playing now at the Cambridge Theatre and heads off on its second UK tour in October 2025 Book London Book UK & Ireland Tour Our ‘must-see’ (Guardian) new production of Hamlet is heading to theatres around the UK on a major national tour in 2026 following its critically acclaimed run in Stratford-upon-Avon The stellar creative team is led by multi-award-winning director Rupert Goold whose recent work includes Dear England (National Theatre) and King Charles III (Almeida Theatre) Hamlet will tour the UK from 25 February to 25 April 2026 Please check individual venues for booking information Book tickets Join us on Saturday 26 April 2025 for free activities and performances throughout Stratford-upon-Avon to celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday Festivities begin with a town-wide parade at 11am followed by Speaking Shakespeare workshops and a special Shakespeare trail Nip into the Avonbank Gardens for community pop-up performances and take part free puppet-making workshops - all in celebration of the Bard of Avon RSC Friends and their guests are invited to a special Reception event ahead of the parade FIND OUT MORE Thank you to every one of our record-breaking 50,000 visitors to our free exhibition, The Play's The Thing in 2024-25 The exhibition will now change over to the next rotation of curators closing on 31 March and re-opening on 26 April as part of Shakespeare's Birthday celebrations plus we've got some brand new tours ready for spring: join our brand new riverside tour to discover the little-known history of Shakespeare's theatres throughout the centuries while stroll along the Avon Take in stunning views of the river as you walk alongside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and learn all about its history as well as fascinating stories about Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon's theatrical heritage New dates have been released for our extremely popular ghost tours now with a thrilling new name and updated content Learn all about theatre superstitions and supernatural sightings over our 140+ year history including ghostly exits and entrances throughout the hidden depths of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres find out more about how we achieve some of the gory and ghostly effects in our performances Find out more Are you a professional actor living within a 25-mile radius of Stratford-upon-Avon The team will be holding two days of general meetings on 29 and 30 April in Stratford-upon-Avon in order to expand their knowledge of actors in the area please complete the form via the link below by midday on Sunday 13 April We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply Find out more Whether you're visiting for Shakespeare's Birthday celebrations make sure you stop off for refreshment at one of our beautiful cafes and soak in that spring sunshine: FIND OUT MORE Discover the most complete collection of Shakespeare's plays ever to be captured in widescreen, available to pre-order now from our online shop Filmed live in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this collection contains 35 unforgettable productions with iconic performances by leading actors PRE-ORDER NOW Released on 25 April 2025 Join us on Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May 2025 for the sixth annual Morton Hall Tulip Festival and help support costume-making at the RSC Walk among more than 100 stunning tulip varieties in borders pots and three cut flower marquees at Morton Hall Gardens revealing the magic and splendour of the queen of the spring flowers.  To add to the drama, original costumes from the RSC's stage productions will also be on display, showcasing the incredible skills of the RSC Costume Team And with all profits from the event going towards costume-making at the RSC your visit will directly help their creation FIND OUT MORE the Visitor Information Centre on Bridgefoot will be temporarily relocated to Elizabeth House on Church Street (near the Guildhall and Shakespeare's school rooms)  This is due to improvement works being carried out at the facility on Bridgefoot until early March The Visitor Information Centre will be open Monday to Friday Tickets to the attractions across town will still be available to purchase alongside memories of your visit to Stratford-upon-Avon and information on how to get the most out of your visit Young people from across the county are invited to attend a free Careers Fair focused on careers advice and the chance to discover new opportunities The free Careers Fair will be taking place on Friday 7 March and is suitable for young people aged 14+ years It will be particularly relevant for those taking GCSEs or pursuing undergraduate studies.   Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with industry professionals and benefit from their expertise and explore diverse employment pathways across the arts It will also bring together respected local organisations including Warwick University This is a drop-in event and booking is not essential. However, young people can reserve a free place and find out more by visiting the Warwickshire Libraries Careers Fair Eventbrite webpage.   “As part of our commitment to being a Child Friendly County we are dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to develop the skills they need to build successful futures which are so conducive to learning across all age groups can play an integral role in that.   “I recommend any young person curious about the next steps in their education or working life to attend this Careers Fair and to find out from industry professionals about the many opportunities that are available in Warwickshire”.  Warwickshire Libraries is also a friend of Child Friendly Warwickshire which is bringing the county together in a collective effort to ensure all children and young people have a voice that is heard happy and healthy and that they are equipped with the skills to have the best lives they can.    Families and tourists planning to visit Stratford-upon-Avon during the half-term holiday are encouraged to enjoy the benefits of using Stratford Park and Ride bus service and car park The Park and Ride’s easy and relaxing bus service runs seven days a week operating Monday to Saturday 7:30am to 6:28pm The car park is also open daily and has more than 700 parking spaces available Visitors can find the car park along Bishopton Lane (CV37 0RJ) with easy access from the roundabout with the A46 and the A3400 Birmingham Road Parking charges for day trips are £3 if you arrive before 8.59am use of the car park is £6 before 8.59am there is a passenger terminal with seating and toilets available Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 12.30pm and generous roof cover to protect visitors from the elements The Park and Ride buses run every 15 minutes for most of each day and the journey from the car park into the town centre takes approximately 10-12 minutes The bus fares also provide great value for visitors with adult return bus tickets at £2.50 and return group bus tickets costing just £4.00 for up to five people Dogs are also welcome on the buses provided they are well-behaved Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning “Stratford Park and Ride is a convenient and low-cost service that families and tourists can really make the most of during the busier half-term holiday I hope the service encourages more people to consider the public transport options available to them whilst also supporting a reduction in traffic congestion in Stratford town centre” To find out about Stratford Park and Ride car park and bus service, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordparkandride Stratford-upon-Avon is everything that you expect from the birthplace of William Shakespeare: picturesque scenery and beautiful buildings steeped in history house prices in Stratford-upon-Avon are the highest in the West Midlands and this historical town fetches a premium for both the older properties and the many new houses that have been built Research from Rightmove found that property prices around Stratford-Upon-Avon had an overall average of £419,197 last year – £91,000 higher than the UK average one of the UK’s most famous towns is also struggling with some of the same issues as typically more deprived locations while maintaining a premium housing market faces infrastructural and social challenges The pressing question then arises: If a town with such wealth and fame struggles noted the high desirability of properties in Stratford: "One of the advantages of this area is that houses have never really dropped in value." However he said that entering the housing market there is "very “50% of their properties in Stratford are bought cash.” with many buildings hundreds of years old and only boasting limited social economic resources such as schools and healthcare facilities isn’t necessarily suited to an influx of new builds Withers said that the ring-fencing of Stratford has been scrapped by the government – and new houses are popping up everywhere “We’re now building lots of new houses for around £400,000-£500,000,” he said People moan about it because of the infrastructure – because Stratford is a small market town “My kids couldn’t afford to buy houses and the only houses I sell to young people come on the back of mummy and daddy giving them £80,000 in cash – which in some instances is an entire mortgage for houses in the North It really doesn't matter what the government says – having more houses isn't going to resolve the problem.” people are still buying these properties – mainly middle-class older people who’ve potentially come up from London “One of the biggest issues Stratford has with all these houses at that price and that desirability is that it doesn’t have a good train line The best train line is from Warwick or Leamington and that's about an hour and a half into London it'd be in the commuter belt territory.” William Shakespeare’s birthplace  Towns with quick links to the capital enjoy higher prices and quicker sales than the more isolated locations Research by eXp UK found that commuter towns have experienced a 2.9% increase in average house prices over the past year reflecting growing homebuyer interest in these areas a report by The Telegraph identified the most in-demand commuter towns of 2021 noting significant increases in property transactions and prices in areas such as Wokingham and Brentwood Stratford is anything but struggling for buyers – especially when it comes to families Stratford is home to some of the top schools in England “If you look at Stratford as a whole and why people want to be here two years ago it had the best school in the country – King Edward School Stratford Girls Grammar School is also very The case of Stratford underscores the need for a balanced approach to development that includes not just housing but also the essential infrastructure and services that support a healthy it seems the Bard’s birthplace is set to grow – both in terms of tourism and new residents which have been identified as hotspots for county lines drugs activity and anti-social behaviour are to get new CCTV cameras thanks to Safer Streets funding The Safer Streets funding round which is enabling the installation of the new cameras was launched by the Home Office in July 2023 with a total of £820,000 being made available to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire for crime prevention projects across the county working with Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety team have gained the relevant permissions to site the cameras and completed the necessary consultations The cameras will soon be deployed at four locations: The Safer Streets funding has also been used for other community safety intervention projects across the county and for a countywide educational and awareness campaign by Crimestoppers to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG) The six-week long campaign ran from the middle of January to the end of February this year and sought to improve the understanding and confidence of people living and working in Warwickshire in responding to VAWG and preventing it from it happening in public places The campaign’s aim was to encourage people in the wider community to feel empowered to report VAWG rather than the responsibility for reporting it being only with the victim It highlighted the impact of VAWG on the community as well as on the victims bystanders and those directly impacted.   with significant increases in the number of people in Warwickshire reporting VAWG-related issues to Crimestoppers Safer Streets funding has also been used to buy area-specific crime prevention equipment for a range of different Community Empowerment events These are being held across the county in collaboration with local Warwickshire Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams with the aim of enabling residents to make their communities safer A community survey by the teams at the events has been gathering information from residents The information will help to identify other local community safety interventions that could take place in the future The results are currently being reviewed and the interventions are being planned Warwickshire’s Safer Streets projects were recently showcased to Home Office representatives Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Attendees included the High Sheriff of Warwickshire said: “The Safer Streets funding has enabled us to bolster our efforts in tackling a number of problems that communities have told us impact on their feelings of safety in Stratford town “I am pleased to hear that the cameras will soon be deployed in the town and am looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes they will make that we have already seen in other parts of the county I will continue to support this work to make sure our streets are safe for Warwickshire residents.” Chair of the Safer Warwickshire Partnership Board and Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety “It’s fantastic to see the Safer Streets funding being used to target crime hotspots in Stratford town The new CCTV cameras will act as a deterrent and provide valuable evidence which will ultimately make a real impact on the scourge of criminal activity including county lines drug trafficking anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls which all impact our communities so negatively “I’m also pleased to see the positive outcomes from countywide community safety campaigns and events on the reporting and prevention of crime by Warwickshire residents We need to continue to work together within our communities to make a positive The Safer Warwickshire Partnership includes representatives from Warwickshire’s councils, Fire and Rescue service, Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Probation Service, Health, and charitable organisations. For more information visit www.safeinwarwickshire.com The annual Mop Fair returns on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October bringing one of the biggest and brightest street fairs in the country to the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.  This Mop has a tradition of up-to-date and exciting attractions as well as traditional family favourites such as the 127-year-old Golden Carousel Many of the attractions will be located on Bridge Street the event begins at 3pm on Friday 11 October The Mop is officially opened on Saturday at 11am by Council dignitaries provided by the local Round Table at the end of Waterside / bottom of Bridge Street on Tuesday along with the charity auction of the first slice of the roast One of the biggest changes to the rides and attractions in recent years has been the integration of eye-catching LED displays which really come into their own as the nights draw in at this time of year These super bright lights actually consume far less power than the old-style filament bulbs they replace.  with the streets of the town buzzing until its 11pm closure each night is part of what makes Stratford-upon-Avon unique.  But why is it called the Mop? The event has an historic tradition The original Charter for the fair was granted by Edward VI on 28 June 1544 The event has its origins in the hiring of agricultural and domestic labour when potential labourers would attend with a mop to signal their skills.  special trains were laid on to ferry people from surrounding towns and villages to and from the fair.  The use of public transport is still encouraged today however parking is available around town for those who prefer to arrive by car.  Stratford-upon-Avon also has an associated 'Runaway Mop' which takes place two weeks later This tradition is derived from the need for employers to reconsider and re-hire any staff before committing to a full year's work it exists as a pleasure fair with a smaller selection of attractions clustered around Rother Street.  The District Council and Bob Wilson's Fun Fairs are very grateful for local people and businesses assistance and co-operation in making the operation of the Mop as trouble free as possible Here's to a safe and enjoyable fair for everyone More information about the Mop Fair will be provided in the run up to the event at www.Facebook.com/StratfordMop  Stratford-upon-Avon road closures during the Mops  To accommodate the Mop the following streets in Stratford-upon-Avon will be closed from 00.01 on Friday 11th October until 07:30 on Sunday 13th October:  Map of road closures: Mop Fair (stratford.gov.uk) The following streets will be closed from 00:01 on Friday 25th October until 06:30 on Sunday 27th October to make way for the Runaway Mop:  Map of road closures: Runaway Mop Fair (stratford.gov.uk) The District Council appreciates these closures of town centre streets can cause problems with access for vehicles and parking during this time but the road closures will be strictly enforced.  For further information about parking in the town centre please visit: https://www.stratford.gov.uk/parking-roads-transport/carparks.cfm This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Visitor Information Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon is preparing to reopen its doors and once again welcome visitors The VIC has been closed since late January while it underwent a series of refurbishments aimed to improve the experience for many hundreds of visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon each year The building will reopen with a fresh look with the brighter interior designed to give visitors the very best first impression of Stratford-upon-Avon as one of the most significant historical and tourist locations in the Midlands The Visitor Information Centre is a key location for those visiting the town for the first time but also as an opportunity for visitors to purchase tickets to local attractions maps of the town and merchandise.The improvements to the building also reflect the District Council's commitment to tackling climate change The installation of additional roof insulation upgrades to improve the efficiency of the electrical systems and the fitting of new energy efficient LED lighting mark significant steps into improving the sustainability of this building Housing and Customer Services Portfolio said: "The Visitor Information Centre is an important part of our tourism offering and provides a trusted voice for visitors.  It's so important that we have a functional and the £87,000 investment made endorses our commitment to provide the best possible gateway to explore our District."The tourism economy is vitally important to Stratford-upon-Avon and across the District and we welcome thousands of visitors locally and from across the world every year who all want to experience our delightful destination for themselves.  As well as being a point of contact the VIC supports the local tourism economy and its stakeholders by actively promoting and selling accommodation tours and tickets."It is my hope that our 2025 season will be a great success and that locals and visitors alike will experience everything our towns and villages have to offer." The Visitor Information Centre at Bridgefoot Stratford-upon-Avon (CV37 6YY) is planned to re-open on Saturday 29 March and will return to its usual opening hours Opening hours and contact details:Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pmSunday                   10am to 4pm Please note the centre is closed everyday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm for lunch Phone: 01789 264293Email: vic@stratford-dc.gov.uk Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review This production contains scenes of a sexual nature Coming to see this show I was aware of some of its history and its reputation but I was unprepared for how shocking it remains to watch Daniel Raggett’s production of Marlowe’s  Edward II starring co-artistic director Daniel Evans reminds us why tragedy is so much more powerful when it is live; because you cannot turn away.  What I came away feeling most of all was how important this show feels to today’s political climate Raggett’s production highlights how those in power can leverage outdated ideas against a vulnerable minority and how giving even an inch to that kind of prejudice inevitably empowers the worst people in society Edward II is a tragedy where a few prejudicial words a bit of pinning it on the status quo - saying ‘I don’t mind it but I  just think ‘x’ doesn’t belong in ‘y’…’ can quickly lead to horrifying violence and abuses of power which appal even those who aided and abetted it With the increasingly normalised transphobia,  classism racism and xenophobia of the past few years it is important to have shows which remind us where that leads If Marlowe can work that out 400  years ago we could do well to remember it now.   Even a King is not safe when hatred is allowed to grow and Evans portrays his downfall with a vulnerability and openness that is impossible not to root for He seems to understand that the heart of his character is his honesty - he refuses to deny what he knows to be right; his love for  Gaveston The King simply asks not to be required to be miserable simply because he loves someone the court does not accept - not only because it they are both men,  but because Gaveston is not from their background.   This element of the play is really effectively highlighted by Raggett’s production and Ivo’s performance is so likeable because he is so unlike the cold aristocrats he finds himself among; he is fun His refusal to be shamed or belittled by these scheming  courtiers makes him all the more admirable - I could have cheered when he said “ I respect  neither their love nor hate.” Similarly played by  Stavros Demetraki and Kwaku Mills to look like they belong in modern East London - they felt like people I know It is clear that Edward II feels much the same Their moments bring light to this heavy play never more so than in the hope for change they display when they come to the court and it is so sad to see that hope fade in the face of an outdated nobility when everyone felt fairly confident that the world was moving forward changing for the better - these characters all begin the play thinking they are safe that the power that once persecuted them now protects them begin the play fixed in their idea of what the world will be and entirely unwilling to shift their view In a large group of characters who essentially represent the villains of the show it would be easy for them to all seem to hit the same note but each of the actors brings the individuality of their character out brilliantly So much of the emotional impact of the show comes from seeing how they change and every single member of the cast was so strong that it is impossible to say enough about it in this review You will come away feeling that each and every one of them created a memorable and moving rendition of their character.   It was Enzo Cilenti’s Mortimer and Ruta Gedmintas’s Queen Isabella however that were the most shocking - without giving away too much the gradual escalation of the show’s tragedy is intensely felt in the change in their characters - they feel like complex and unpredictable people,  adding real nuance to their stories.   It would be completely remiss of me not to say that the grandeur and impact of this production is elevated by Leslie Travers’ incredible set and costume and the way Tim Rutkin’s lighting design and Tommy Reilly’s composition brings it to life You have the pre-show opportunity to process past the late King’s coffin in a scene almost identical to that of the famous queue following the Queen’s passing a couple of years ago Once the show begins scale of the stage feels suddenly absolutely huge stretching back behind the traverse stage which hosts much of the action It works so brilliantly when you have action happening in multiple places at once giving you the sense of how the court are all observing each other even in private moments.  Through sudden bright lights If you want a short bottom line for this very long review this production is not one to be missed,  because its story still feels like an urgent warning today Every member of this team has done an incredible job uniting every element of the production to maximise the impact of that warning.  This Edward II really understands that and never fails to remind us that everyone even its villains,  is only human - not unusually good or unusually bad and capable of terrible things when they go down a slippery slope of hatred Made with Squarespace BDP is leading an ‘ambitious heritage-led’ masterplan to reimagine Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon after winning an international competition for the job The practice says it has assembled an ‘industry-leading’ team for the World Shakespeare Campus Masterplan which will imagine a new campus-style development incorporating two existing buildings and exploring the potential for a new Shakespeare-themed museum Backed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust the vision will include the regeneration of Henley Street and ‘assess the potential for a new World Shakespeare Museum’ in a neighbouring 35,000m² regeneration site known as Stratford-upon-Avon Gateway The new museum would link the birthplace with existing Trust buildings on Henley Street BDP says the project will lead to the creation of ‘an updated cultural and visitor experience with global appeal that strengthens Stratford-upon-Avon’s status as the home of Shakespeare’ Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon The competition for the £100 million project was launched last August by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust with an estimated £75,000 contract for the winning team tourism development consultant or project manager’ to ‘develop a long-term strategy for the Trust’s masterplan development with the focal point being the new World Shakespeare Campus’ The campus is expected to include an exhibition and visitor experience Key aims include boosting access to the trust’s museum facilities and collections improving public realm and visitor experience and unlocking wider regeneration across Stratford-upon-Avon An international design competition is expected to be held for the 8,000m² World Shakespeare Museum itself following the completion of the campus masterplan said the team assembled by the practice ‘brings a balance of global expertise and local sensitivity’ to a project which ‘presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a cultural and heritage destination of international significance’ director of strategy and change at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust said: ‘Our ambition for the World Shakespeare Campus is to create a space in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon that honours Shakespeare’s enduring legacy and celebrates his hometown ‘To achieve such an ambitious and wide-reaching project we’ve partnered with an organisation that has unrivalled experience on delivering masterplans that balance the needs of residents and the opportunities for growth and renewal.’ Tags BDP’s College of Arts & Society at Coventry University has been named… Lewisham Council has given Turner Works planning permission for a mixed-use regeneration… Wandsworth Council has given Gehry Partners planning permission for two more residential… Southwark Council has approved tp bennett’s plans for a 25-storey student tower… Gillian Middleton is the club’s first athlete with a physical impairment to gain the qualification Stratford upon Avon BC’s adaptive squad is renowned for innovation and progress adapting coaching techniques and equipment to enable adaptive scullers to achieve their potential In 2023, the club’s adaptive section worked with British Rowing, the sport’s governing body, to put on the first Level 2 Club Coach course devoted to potential adaptive coaches Although most of the coaches on the course were able bodied Gillian is herself a member of the adaptive squad and has cerebral palsy and limited mobility Stratford’s Head Adaptive Coach and his team Gillian has now successfully completed the final requirements of the Level 2 qualification This assessment included rigorous questioning on warm up techniques; boat set up; an instruction session with a ‘buddy’ sculler on the water being coached by her in real time; warm down techniques and extensive knowledge questioning “Gillian has won many awards on and off the water in the UK and also in Europe but gaining her Level 2 Coaching Certificate is perhaps her highest achievement yet The award is a big step forward for Stratford and the sport Gillian is Stratford Boat Club’s first athlete with a physical impairment to gain the qualification We are so proud of Gillian’s accomplishment – it shows her determination to experience all aspects of rowing in partnership with LSD Promotions and Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council is thrilled to announce a fresh look for its renowned Christmas Markets for 2024 the markets remain some of the largest in the West Midlands promising a truly special shopping experience Taking place over two consecutive weekends on 7th & 8th and 14th & 15th December (Saturday 12-8pm Sunday 10am-5pm), this allows visitors to experience the markets on what are traditionally the most popular days and the midweek traffic congestion in the town will be significantly reduced Please note that there will be changes to traffic flow in: but egress will be down Union Street only as there will be no vehicular access to other streets but Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) measures will be in place adjacent to Waterside to use the Stratford-upon-Avon Park & Ride in Bishopton Normal Park & Ride charges will apply on each of these days For more information about any aspect to do with accessibility, please contact Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Leisure, Events & Markets Officer, email info-markets@stratford-dc.gov.uk  Notice is hereby given that an application has been made to the Stratford on Avon District Council for Planning Permission for development which affects the character or appearance of a Conservation Area or development which affects the setting of a Listed Building and/or Listed Building Consent/Conservation Area Consent in respect of the applications scheduled below: Stratford-upon-Avon visitors and commuters are being encouraged to take advantage of a new free parking offer at Stratford Park and Ride this November This latest promotion follows a 112% increase in customers using the service throughout the summer holidays earlier this year From Monday 28 October to Saturday 30 November Warwickshire County Council is providing free parking at Stratford Park and Ride to help alleviate traffic congestion around local roadworks as we approach the festive period The Park and Ride buses travel into Stratford-upon-Avon’s town centre via Timothy’s Bridge Road, crossing over the canal along Niddries Lane to follow Masons Road southwards, and then turning left at the T-junction with Alcester Road to reach the town centre. This route avoids the Birmingham Road phase 2 roadworks entirely The Park and Ride also offers great value bus tickets and return group bus tickets costing just £3.30 for up to five people “We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone visiting Stratford-upon-Avon to avoid being stuck in traffic congestion By offering free parking at Stratford Park and Ride throughout November we hope more visitors and commuters will discover this convenient ensuring everyone can still enjoy all that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer during this busy time of year." The Park and Ride’s bus service runs daily operating Monday to Saturday between 7.30am and 6.28pm The car park is also open daily and has more than 700 parking spaces available including several EV charging points there is a passenger terminal with seating toilets available Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 12.30pm To find out about Stratford Park and Ride, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordparkandride  For more information about the themes and content of this play, please see our content advisory page New Work at the RSC is generously supported by Hawthornden Foundation and The Drue and H.J Shakespeare’s great tragedy returns to the Royal Shakespeare Company for the first time since 2016 with an all-star cast and a naval twist in Rupert Goold’s masterful production The concept is thrilling from the outset – this Hamlet is set entirely within the confines of a ship; the Danish town of Elsinore swapped for the bow and belly of the naval vessel which takes its name instead There is a huge amount of Titanic-inspired imagery here; from setting the action of the piece on the 14th April 1912 (the day the Titanic sank) and witnessing officers pull guns on male passengers attempting to board lifeboats meant for women and children to watching passengers don white lifejackets and cling desperately to the bow of the ship as it fully tilts at an almost 45-degree angle Goold truncates the timeframe of the piece as opposed to days and weeks – a choice that Shakespeare purists might frown at but one that works exceptionally well to give the play a punchy drive and pace that grips from start to finish The use of a digital clock at regular intervals to show the passage of time works well though the decision not to have the clock display 2.20am at the play’s close feels like a missed opportunity with all care that has clearly been taken to include such striking imagery in a nod to the Titanic This production has a truly cinematic quality to it: it uses technology and lighting (Jack Knowles) to create the sense of a high-stakes adventure on the ocean that enhance the text and performances rather than overwhelming them A case of ‘style over substance’ this is not Akhila Krishnan’s moody and atmospheric video design beautifully secures the sense of place with stormy vistas and churning waters the backdrop to Es Devlin’s absolutely inspired see-saw stage design for the good ship Elsinore This lends the action a palpably unstable quality (both figuratively and literally) and the ship is almost a character in and of itself – pitching and raging against the murderous nature of its passengers as the sea broils and foams amidst the chaos unfolding on deck Luke Thallon is exceptional – his is a young Hamlet soaked in grief petulant and utterly emotionally devastated which gives way to a blazing fury that sharpens throughout the action into a rapier’s point aimed squarely at Claudius (Jared Harris) Thallon’s staccato delivery of the lines – and his subversion of the traditional rhythm of Shakespeare’s verse to drift and drawl in the manner of losing one’s trail of thought – feels a bit jarring at first but it soon begins to feel like we’re actually hearing these famous words spoken entirely anew for the very first time This is not Luke Thallon simply reciting Shakespeare – it is a breathless as Hamlet is actively haunted throughout the play by his father’s ghost (an outstanding Anton Lesser) It is an inspired piece of casting (Charlotte Sutton) and the decision to have Lesser portray not only Hamlet’s father but also the First Player is a masterstroke that truly drives home that this is a manifestation of young Hamlet’s grief-fueled insanity Jared Harris’ performance as Claudius is relatively subdued for the majority of the play until the facade shatters upon watching a reenactment of his brother’s murder and his brutal malevolence and true savagery is revealed The play within a play is beautifully performed by Lesser and the ensemble utilising masques and opera to chilling effect Nancy Carroll is superb as the bewildered and devastated Gertrude a performance made all the more affecting thanks to Elliot Levey’s hugely endearing and witty performance as Polonius This is an exceptionally bold and stylish production and headed by a star turn from Luke Thallon which truly makes this a Hamlet to remember A woman from Warwickshire has been found guilty of terrorism offences having planned to join Daesh after travelling to Afghanistan Farishta Jami has been convicted of two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism under Section Five of the Terrorism Act 2006 The Jury at Leicester Crown Court revealed that Jami was planning to travel to Afghanistan with her children and join Daesh Having saved £1,200 for one-way tickets to Afghanistan for herself and her children she had also researched available flights in order to carry out her intentions Jami had also shared violent material between 2022-24 on social media as well as participating in pro-Daesh groups online as well as researching weaponry and information on an AK47 rifle Jami is due to be sentenced today (14th February 2025) Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands detective chief superintendent Alison Hurst said: “Jami expressed a desire to travel as early as July 2023 and by November she had accumulated a significant amount of cash which crystallised her intention to travel “In a two-week period at the end of October/early November she carried out 22 separate searches of flights to Afghanistan It is notable that a significant number of the searches were for one-way tickets for herself and her children Jami was determined to travel to join ISIS despite claiming she was planning to visit family but we found no evidence of any contact with her family to arrange a visit to see them in Afghanistan or Pakistan.” Manage my subscriptions BROWSER UPDATE To gain access to the full experience, please upgrade your browser: The picturesque riverside town was the birthplace of Shakespeare and lures residents with historic charm By India StoughtonOriginally Published Jan Stratford-upon-Avon is a charming English town with a history that goes back far beyond the Bard Located in the picturesque county of Warwickshire the Stratford area was settled two millennia ago and the remains of a Roman village have been found at Tiddington One of Britain’s most popular tourist destinations Stratford-upon-Avon offers residents a beautiful riverside setting excellent schools and access to beautiful expanses of surrounding countryside.  Having been settled by the Anglo-Saxons and later attacked by Vikings it was expanded from a small rural village into a thriving market town in the late 12th century Many of its most important historic buildings are along the route known as the Historic Spine a stretch that once marked the route from the town center to the parish church It begins at the birthplace of Shakespeare—in keeping with the great writer’s unparalleled influence on the town which “echoes through time,” said Jonathan Handford Warwick and Kenilworth at Fine and Country—and encompasses more than 30 historic landmarks finishing at the church in which he is buried.  “To live in Stratford-upon-Avon is to embrace history at every turn where the cobbled streets whisper tales of the Bard himself,” he said But the town also has plenty of modern-day attractions.  “Stratford-upon-Avon is not just a place of pilgrimage but a flourishing market town with many 21st century amenities,” said Samantha Bysouth associate at Knight Frank Stratford-upon-Avon leisure options and picturesque surrounding landscape, Stratford is a genuinely exceptional place to live.” Buyers searching for a high-end home in Stratford-upon-Avon can choose from historic properties built centuries ago and updated to offer a high standard of contemporary living to modern properties with a host of luxury amenities “There is an eclectic mix of styles,” Handford said “A rule of thumb is the closer to the town center the more traditional the style The town center is also a conservation area enforced by the council and the planning department to ensure that the heritage of the town is protected.” Many of the nicest homes in Old Town date to the Tudor period (1485 to 1603) or the Georgian period (1714 to 1837) and boast original features “The iconic quintessential-looking timber-framed building is what people would associate with a Tudor property,” he said they are frequently decorated with decorative wood paneling The wooden beams are exposed and visible.” “Georgian properties are heavily influenced by Palladian architecture,” he added Such properties have tall ceilings and lots of light from large windows while the decorative finishes include moldings Prices for prime properties range from £1 million (US$1.23 million) to £3 million with a few super-prime sales surpassing £3 million History lovers might relish the idea of living in a property that existed during Shakespeare’s lifetime but buyers will need to exercise patience when searching for a home in the historic town center “There are only a handful of prime properties in Old Town and they rarely come up for sale,” Bysouth said “West Street and Bull Street provide lovely period terraces which are especially popular because they are walkable from town both Avonside and Lucy’s Mill combine stylish apartment living with sensational views of the river Avon and are popular with downsizers.” Larger properties from the Edwardian and Victorian periods offer an alternative for those looking for a historic family property with more space and potential for personalization Maidenhead Road and Welcombe Road all have good gardens and leafy settings,” Bysouth said which is south of the river Avon but still within walking distance of Old Town is also popular with high-net-worth buyers offering spacious properties with large plots and gardens Properties there can reach prices of up to £4 million Not to be overlooked is the historic village of Shottery “which was good enough for [Shakespeare’s wife] Anne Hathaway,” Bysouth joked it is today considered part of Stratford-upon-Avon but retains the feel of a village Stratford-upon-Avon has much to offer anyone with an interest in his life From the half-timbered Tudor family home in Henley Street where the great playwright was born in 1564 to his wife Anne Hathway’s beautiful thatched cottage in nearby Shottery the property where he lived toward the end of his life have been preserved and are open to visitors Stratford-upon-Avon also has plenty of modern draws given its connections to the great playwright which puts on some of the world’s finest productions Famous names to have walked its boards include Charles Dance the Swan Theatre and the Other Place theater and the town also has several independent theaters making it an ideal location for lovers of live performance There are also plenty of family activities “The river Avon is very popular amongst locals and tourists It’s common to see explorers navigating the river on rowing boats “Another popular attraction is the Butterfly Farm which is a huge hit with families and young children.” The scarcity of high-end homes within Stratford-upon-Avon means that demand consistently outstrips supply “The town has always been a fashionable location for Warwickshire buyers,” Bysouth said “Because buying a prime property in the town might mean a wait paid when purchasing a property may have a small impact on sales Handford anticipates a consistently strong market.“Stratford is incredibly popular Many look to move here and few want to leave,” he said “The market in general will find increased stamp duty costs a burden but the cost of borrowing has reduced with further drops in the base rate anticipated Although this doesn’t always directly impact the super wealthy and high-net-worth individuals they do tend to look for trends and consumer confidence when making decisions to buy We anticipate that we will see house prices rise steadily over the next few years.” • 2025 Luxury Real Estate Outlook • Art Deco or Dark Academia: Use Artwork to Infuse Your Home With the Latest Design Trends • Top Ski Towns for Non-Skiers • Nobu to Disney World: the New Development Launches Around the Globe • Five Growing Tech Hubs Bringing Home Values Along for the Ride • U.S. House Hunters Are Flooding These Foreign Cities • Market Spotlight: Milan • Our Guide to Under-the-Radar Beach Towns • Around the World, 30 Luxury New Developments Selling This Season • Rooms With a View—of Iconic World Sites • Five U.S. Lake Towns That Are Making a Splash • Transforming a Room With Bold Artwork, From Paintings to Textiles • Five Unexpected Ski Boomtowns • Five Buzzing Retirement Hot Spots • Next-Level Novelty Homes • Exploring Paris’s Architecture, Culture, up-and-Coming Neighborhoods and More • A Golfer’s Guide to Luxury Living• Wellness in the Home• Five Wine Countries Ripe for the Picking DISCLAIMER: The currency conversion is provided for illustration purposes only It is meant only as an approximation based on the latest information available and should not be relied upon for any other purposes We are not responsible for any loss that you may incur as a result of relying on these currency conversions All property prices are as stated by the listing agent Warwickshire County Council is pleased to update residents on the ongoing progress of the A439 Warwick Road improvement scheme in Stratford-upon-Avon aims to significantly reduce the number of collisions and create a safer more accessible environment for all road users and pedestrians said: "We're delighted with the continued progress on the A439 scheme The recent completion of road widening by Ingon Lane and substantial headway on footway reconstruction are important milestones These improvements will create a safer and more user-friendly environment for pedestrians and motorists alike." added: "I'm pleased to see this vital safety project progressing well and nearing completion I understand there has been some disruption and I want to thank residents and businesses for their continued patience and cooperation." Footway reconstruction at the top of the hill with a pedestrian refuge under construction Installation of new carriageway gullies is nearing completion Construction of the pedestrian refuge and footway linking to Fisherman's Car Park is nearing completion Piling operations at Ryon Hill have commenced with sheet piling for bank retention ongoing Night closures for road surfacing have been implemented with most of the site resurfaced (excluding the surface course) New signage will be installed along the cycleway Roadside verges will be dressed and seeded Remaining gullies will be installed or adjusted to accommodate new road widths Road markings and cat's eyes will be installed after resurfacing Additional road safety improvements will be implemented along the A439 from the A46 to Ryon Hill including upgraded signage and revised markings Warwick Road will reopen to two-way traffic overnight on July 19 as originally planned and all diversion signage relating to the one-way system will be removed at this time Ingon Lane will remain closed for an additional week with temporary traffic lights in place whilst final works off the main carriageway are completed and night closures for final surfacing will occur from July 22 to August 2 Warning signage will provide further details of the overnight closures and temporary signage will be erected throughout the site for the period Additional works have been required to divert uncharted utilities which have been identified sub-surface at the Ingon Lane junction and towards Ryon Hill All engineering works will cease on site by 2 August In the short-term overgrown vegetation along the improved stretch of the A439 cannot legally be removed due to restrictions in place that are necessary during bird-nesting season this vegetation cutting will be conducted at the earliest possible opportunity There will also be a planting program completed along the route Warwickshire County Council appreciates the community's patience and understanding as this important project progresses We are committed to delivering a safer and more accessible A439 for everyone Current and planned roadworks across Warwickshire can be found on the following link: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roadworksmap    a local initiative for Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire County Council and local partners invites the community to celebrate the unveiling of new murals at Fred Winter Centre on Tuesday 25th February 12-2pm Vibrant Addition to the Mural Trail: Acclaimed street artist 7th Pencil (Mel Saggs) supported by Paint Stratford and UK Shared Prosperity Fund has created a stunning mural at the entrance of Fred Winter Centre carpark on Guild Street The artwork makes a significant contribution to the growing Stratford-upon-Avon Mural Trail Community-Led Collaboration: The celebration showcases a second mural designed and painted by participants in collaboration with Ali Glover and Marko Antonio This community-led project began with a series of workshops at Fred Winter Centre funded by Big Red Recruitment in early 2024 where weekly sessions empowered participants to explore their creativity through spray painting Subsequent workshops in November were part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with Stratford-on-Avon District Council as the lead authority sessions delved deeper into themes of mental health and community with participants' stories and experiences directly shaping the narrative of the artworks Continued Learning: The event will explore further the growing world of mural culture with an insightful presentation on graffiti and street art history by Kate Cox Guests will also have the opportunity to unleash their own creativity and experiment with the fundamentals of graffiti design using paint-pens and markers on a variety of street art inspired canvases.  Quotes: * "The power of art has truly shone through the project," commented Tina Prashar-Malley Volunteer and Wellbeing Coordinator at Fred Winter Centre "It's a beautiful and meaningful addition to our space." * 7th Pencil expressed her gratitude "Working with the community at Fred Winter Centre has been incredibly inspiring This project has allowed me to explore my own artistic style while creating something meaningful that resonates with the community." * "I am pleased to see that the UKSPF grant awarded by Stratford District Council has yielded a successful project and I look forward to the reveal on 25th February" Councillor George Cowcher (Deputy Leader Stratford-on-Avon District Council) Planning and Economic Development Portfolio.  Impactful Public Art:The completed murals create a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for all beautifully demonstrating the power of creative expression and community to positively impact mental wellbeing Looking Forward: Paint Stratford has exciting plans for new placemaking projects in 2025 and seeks local sponsors partners and collaborations with wall owners to provide suitable spaces for artists to create transformative public artworks WATCHPRO Pragnell has dominated the market for luxury watches and jewellery in its home town of Stratford-Upon-Avon since its founding 70 years ago Originally located in a small boutique in an historic Tudor-era building at 5 Wood Street in the birthplace of William Shakespeare the business — now occupying numbers 5-7 — was recently refurbished and given more retail space for its in-house jewellery collections alongside extensive areas for anchor brands Rolex and Patek Philippe and haute horlogerie independents including Greubel Forsey The upgrade also created additional space for Pragnell’s state-of-art watch and jewellery workshops which clients can see from inside the showroom and go visit to see the company’s master craftspeople and goldsmiths at work As anybody who has visited the buildings of Stratford-Upon-Avon can attest the properties are big on history and charm which saw the company grow from under £20 million in sales 10 years ago to over £80 million in 2022/23 Pragnell has continued to invest in real estate in its home town It opened a small pre-owned watch boutique opposite its flagship named Forty-Three Wood Street in November 2023 and is now working on a new showroom it calls The Embassy by Pragnell on the corner of High Street and Wood Street The showroom is taking over a unit previously operated by Fraser Hart and opens next week on Monday The Embassy will be entirely devoted to watches Please note that no additional general waste (refuse) placed by or on top of your grey refuse bin will be collected.If you have any additional recycling you can place it in a box or rigid container next to your blue-lidded wheeled bin for collection Please remember to put all your food waste in your food caddy small electrical items and textiles can be left on top of the lid/or by the side (not inside) of your blue-lidded bin green bin or grey bin on your scheduled collection day Click here to find out more information about what we collect The Myton Hospices is once again partnering with Pass The Smile for the annual collection of real Christmas trees which helps fund the vital work of both charities volunteers will collect and recycle your real Christmas tree The 2025 collection is taking place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th January 2025 To find out more and book your collection visit: https://www.mytonhospice.org/news/give-your-real-christmas-tree-a-second-life-and-support-two-local-charities-this-festive-season/ The above is a famous quote - possibly by Shakespeare - I’ll have to check 😉 and it was definitely true of Stratford upon Avon parkrun today It was the much anticipated (by me anyway) take-over by my beloved Stratford upon Avon Athletic Club Don’t be put off by the name - yes we have some athletic members (think Andrew Pozzi…); but also lots of normal ones too you find many of us doing laps of the Rec; but in plain clothes/ milestone merch Today we got to show off in our black and yellow (some would say ‘gold’) club vests and a lucky few of us (pacers) got to look even more important by pinning a number onto our backs The Core team had kindly allowed the club to take on volunteer roles that included course-checking marshalling and tail-walking - all under the watchful eye of ‘Bratalie’ (Run Directors Brad and Natalie) The temperature hovered just above freezing (luxury compared to the recent conditions wraught by weather-armaggedon) as we were briefed on course conditions and applauded those runners who were celebrating milestones (which included Nikki Pearson’s100th) and also Dave Foxall who was pretending that it was his birthday 😉 my eyes were mainly glued to my watch; but I did notice the hardcore rowers on the river who weren’t wearing gloves and looked in vain for the (so far elusive) black swan I headed off to warm up over a celebratory breakfast (in honour of friend clubmate and England Masters Marathon runner Kate Sergent - who completed her 300th parkrun today) The results reveal that 20 people completed their first ever parkrun at Stratford today There were at least 35 finishers from Stratford upon Avon Athletic Club - we welcome new members so please come and join us The first finisher was James Dunne (in a not too shabby 17:40) and the first female finisher was Gemma Collier (in a speedy 20:51) The parkrunniest person was Andrew Brown (532 parkruns) and the highest age grade was achieved by Stratford Athletic Club’s own Richard Dobedoe (80.10%) Congratulations to those completing milestones today: Many thanks to the volunteers and a special thank you to the Core team for allowing us to ‘take-over’ today Edit by Nat - actually today we had the most volunteers EVER and here they are (thanks again it was freeezing!): © parkrun Limited (Company Number: 07289574) No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner Stratford-on-Avon District Council has been presented with a certificate of merit from the Order of St Pantalaimon in Ukraine in thanks for the ongoing support given to help Ukrainian Medical Charity with the war in Ukraine Noel Clements was presented with the certificate by Tania Hébert Deputy Chair of The Order of St Pantalaimon in the UK the District Council offices in Stratford-upon-Avon have been used as a donation point to help Ukrainian Medical Charity (previously known as Medical Aid Ukraine) The donations received are sorted and then sent to hospitals most in need in Ukraine Donations for Ukrainian Medical Charity can be made at the Council offices from 9am to 5pm weekdays packaging can be missing or damaged and bandages can be out of date often called the "Medical Oscar" of Ukraine continues to honour outstanding contributions to Ukrainian healthcare and humanitarian efforts Under the leadership of Oksana Lovochkina and support of Deputy Chairs Tania Hebert and Sara de Silva the Foreign Council in the UK plays a key role in recognising exceptional individuals and organisations supporting Ukraine Panteleimon Order remains dedicated to recognising medical excellence ‘I can’t help it if you were careless with your cigarette case I was extremely careful with your heart’ a 1920s heroine with a decidedly modern spirit For more information on the themes and content of the play please visit our content advisory page CURRY fans say news that Café Chutneys is coming back to Stratford will spice up the town The popular curry house is aiming to open on Birmingham Road early next year in the unit that was Kropka European Food Store The team have applied to Stratford District Council for consent to convert the building from a shop into a restaurant Plans submitted to SDC (ref: 24/02768/FUL) also propose replacing existing stepped extensions at the back of the building with one new flat-roof extension Drawings indicate there will be seating for 22 customers to dine in at the front of the ground floor with one table seating six and four tables to seat four The application says no changes are requested to the three-bedroom flat above the shop is next to Tesco car park and close to the Maybird Centre the freehold for shop and flat were put on the market for £325,000 by commercial property agent Tim Cox The team have a Café Chutneys in Shipston at the moment and did have a base at Bordon Hill previously A poster saying: ‘We are coming back soon’ next to a circle around ‘Stratford-upon-Avon’ alerted customers the team are returning to the town More than 130 people took to social media to express their delight with one saying: “It will be the best thing that has happened to this town