Radio Warwickshire

An exciting excavation outside the 14th century gatehouse is taking place in Kenilworth Abbey Fields this week as part of the National Festival of Archaeology.

Warwickshire County Council’s in-house archaeology team, Archaeology Warwickshire, are joining forces with Kenilworth Abbey Advisory Committee’s Harry Sunley Memorial Project to refurbish the medieval ‘Tantara’ Gatehouse to allow public access.

This magnificent 14th-century gatehouse was used as a cottage after the Abbey of St Mary was closed by Henry VIII in 1538 and has been closed to the public for many years.

Archaeology Warwickshire Manager, Stuart Palmer, said: ‘This is a great opportunity to study one of the county’s most iconic buildings and we are hoping the dig will reveal previously unknown abbey buildings and structures that may have stood against the remains of the gatehouse in the past.’

The first stage of works involves the excavation of an area outside the gatehouse to see how best to get an electricity supply into the building, which will be necessary to open it up to the public.

The team, working with Kenilworth Abbey Advisory Committee will be joined by volunteers from Kenilworth History and Archaeological Society as well as ‘A’ level Archaeology students from Trinity Catholic School, Leamington. This is a great opportunity for its students who will gain valuable experience of working alongside professionals on what is one of the most important sites in the local area.

Cllr Jeff Clarke, Portfolio Holder for the Heritage and the Environment said: “We are very proud of the work of Archaeology Warwickshire, who are experts in so many aspects of local history and always willing and able to use that expertise to assist on a wide variety of fascinating projects. The Gatehouse at Abbey Fields is an imposing structure on the local landscape and it will be fantastic to see it opened to the public.”

Cllr Richard Chattaway, Chair of the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, added, “Getting involved in exciting projects like this is exactly the type of thing that gets future generations of young people interested in Archaeology. In addition to adding their expertise, the enthusiasm of Archaeology Warwickshire for the subject will be inspirational for all the young people fortunate enough to spend the week working with them.”

The work will take place over the course of next week as part of the Festival of Archaeology 2014. The Festival of Archaeology 2014 runs from 12-27 July and is co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology. The Festival offers over 1,000 events nationwide, organised by museums, heritage organisations, national and country parks, universities, local societies, and community archaeologists. Further information about the festival can be found on their website: http://www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk/

You can find out more about the work of Archaeology Warwickshire on the Warwickshire Website: http://heritage.warwickshire.gov.uk/archaeology/welcome-to-archaeology-warwickshire/

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Reporter @LianeKate

@martindw chats to singer/songwriter Kristy Gallacher, who has supported the likes of Ed Sheeran, and is about to release her 3rd album 'The Game' through her own label Broken Player Records.

We speak with Gretchen Ames about the history of Stoneleigh Abbey and the opportunities for visitors to experience guided tours, walks around the estate & a cream tea in the Orangery.

Fun out more at http://www.stoneleighabbey.org

For your chance to visit the Abbey at a discounted price - when visiting the Abbey mention Radio Warwickshire.

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Reporter @LianeKate

Jude Jennison of Leaders by Nature and Emma Taylor of The Bay Horse Speaks are collaborating to bring a demonstration of Leadership with Horses on Thurs 8th May 6pm-8pm.

providing leadership and development for senior leaders and executive teams and help them learn the leadership skills that can’t be learned in a classroom or from a book - like courage, trust and mutual respect. We partner with horses and get leaders to lead them on the ground. There is no riding involved and no experience of horses is required. Horses mirror your non-verbal communication so you learn your impact in the first 5 minutes of the day, identify your core strengths and spend time fine-tuning to use your strengths to overcome your real life and work challenges.

Jude Jennison is an international speaker, leadership coach and Horse Assisted Educator with a 16 year senior leadership career in IBM, where she led UK, European and global teams. She combines bold, visionary thinking with transparency, vulnerability and humility to create profound learning experiences that lead to sustainable behavioural change. Jude helps senior leaders and executive teams develop the leadership skills that you can’t learn in Business School, such as trust, mutual respect, courage and compassion.

Find out more at http://www.leadersbynature.com

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Reporter @lianekate

2014 is the fifth independent Literature Festival in Chipping Campden, a town widely regarded as 'the jewel of the Cotswolds'. Vicky Bennett Festival organizer says,

“As always, the Festival celebrates the joy of reading, the art of writing, the beauty of books, and the sharing of ideas.

The theme for 2014 is War and Peace, exploring conflict and resolution. In this centenary year of World War One, on the first evening Sir Max Hastings talks about his latest book Catastrophe: Europe Goes To War in1914, and the last evening’s even ton May 11th ends in a besieged Paris in 1918 with actor Alex Jennings and pianist Lucy Parham presenting her programme of words and music Reverie: The Life and Loves of Claude Debussy.

From TUESDAY 6th – FRIDAY 9th May there is a huge variety of daytime events at many different venues, one of which is an opportunity for visitors to Chipping Campden’s Historical Society’s Exhibition ‘Campden in World War One – Casualties of War.’

On the Saturday it is Poetry Day with a workshop with Welsh lyrical poet Paul Henry, a reading of his poetry, and The Patchwork Poets: an event at which aspiring poets share their work. In the evening actor David Timson, who compiled and produced The War Poems of Wilfred Owen for Naxos Audio Books, discusses Wilfred Owen man and his works and reads his poetry. Finally the young, highly acclaimed writer Owen Sheers reads from and talks about his verse drama Pink Mist concerning five young soldiers from Bristol deployed to Afghanistan. ‘Owen Sheers is one of the most exciting talents around.’ Carol Ann Duffy.

Find out more about the festival at http://www.campdenlitfest.co.uk/

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Reporter @LianeKate

The Rugby for Hero's Festival held at the Old Leamingtonians RFC. Is announced to run form the 16-18 May.

All profits from the festival will go to ABF The Soldiers' Charity, the Royal British Legion and to ‘353’ a ‘not for profit’ cause set up by the family of Private Conrad Lewis, who received a Mention in Despatches for his actions prior to being killed in action in Afghanistan in February 2011.

There is a Rugby4Heroes Launch Event ahead of the festival on Thursday, 3rd April 2014 at 7.00pm. (Invitation only).

To find out more about the event please visit www.rugby4heroes.org.

Club Details

Old Leamingtonians RFC, The Crofts, Bericote Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6QP. See Map here.

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Reporter @LianeKate

A Nuneaton runner will be taking this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon in her stride to support the life saving work of St John Ambulance. This week you can support by coming down to The Royal Oak in Stockingford on March 26 from 8pm to help with her fundraising efforts.

Danielle Gunn, from Stockingford, is running on behalf of the nation’s leading first aid charity to meet a personal ambition and thank the organisation that came to the aid of her sister Becky in the 2012 Great North Run.

Danni, 27, has harboured an urge to take part in the race around the capital’s streets since she was a child and says she couldn’t think of a more worthy reason to raise money.

‘I spent many years watching it on television, always saying I would do it one day. When I took up running four years ago I could only manage to run for about three minutes at a time and had to break it up with walking but have gradually built up.

‘I have chosen to run for St John Ambulance as over the years that I have attended various events such as football and rugby matches, running events and festivals and I had always thought what a great job the volunteers did.’

Danni added: ‘I had never thought this more so than at my most recent half marathon where I witnessed one of these volunteers administering Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation to a fellow runner on the finish line.

‘St John Ambulance volunteers also helped my sister when she ran the Great North Run in 2012. When I saw someone being interviewed on the London marathon coverage last year who was running for St John Ambulance, it inspired me to apply for a place for the charity.’

Danni, who works for Coventry City Council, is organising a pub quiz at The Royal Oak in Stockingford on March 26 from 8pm to help with her fundraising efforts.

Teams of up to 6 are welcome with entry at just £1 per person. To donate online, go to www.justgiving.com/DanniGunn.

Danni will be among nearly 200 runners fundraising for SJA in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon on 13 April. The race route will be lined with SJA first aiders, ready to treat runners and spectators for a wide range of injuries and medical conditions.

More than 1,000 SJA volunteers from all over the country will be on duty with approximately one volunteer for every 35 metres of the 26.2 mile course

They will include first aiders, doctors, nurses and paramedics who will man 45 ambulances and 52 first aid posts.

St John Ambulance has been providing first aid for the London Marathon throughout the 33-year history of the race. Last year they treated people with problems ranging from blisters to more serious medical conditions commonly associated with endurance events, including dehydration, stress fractures and exercise-induced collapses.

SJA’s Fundraising Co-ordinator Siobhan Clifford said: ‘We’re so grateful to Danni for taking on this huge challenge on our behalf – she will be quite literally running for other people’s lives.

Contact [email protected] or 0207 324 4173 for more information.

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Martin DW speaks with Lara Smith and Stephen Burnett of Bread & Co on Smith Street, Warwick about some exciting new projects and craft workshops coming to the cafe soon! Follow Bread&Co on Twitter @lovebreadandco and visit the Radio Warwickshire website at http://www.radiowarwickshire.com

Claire Everest speaks with Martin DW about Warwickshire College's recent Heart Screening event, inspiring students to take a quick and easy test for heart abnormalities after the sudden death of student Adam Middleton three years ago. For more info, listen at Radio Warwickshire or visit www.warwickshire.ac.uk. Visit the CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) website, for more details about heart screenings.

Martin DW speaks with Simon White, who gives fascinating insight into changes surrounding the U.K's legal system. His consultancy firm offer training and guidance for lawyers looking to broaden their business skills in the sector. For more details, contact Simon and the team @legal business or visit http://www.simonwhiteconsulting.co.uk