Roary_the_Racing_Car_&_Big_Chris_to_make_a _guest_appearance_at_the_Heritage_Motor_Centre!

The_Granville_@_Barford_attracts_hilarious_talent_at_Comedy_Night_

Heritage_Motor_Centre_wins_prestigious_industry_award_

Egg-citing_Easter_fun_in_Shakespeare_Country!

Heritage_Motor_Centre_wins_prestigious_industry_award_

Leamington_to_host_exciting_two_day_event_celebrating_style,_arts_&_culture_

Roary the Racing Car & Big Chris to make a guest appearance
at the Heritage Motor Centre!

The Heritage Motor Centre has a whole host of exciting events and activities taking place for all the family during the Easter holidays. One highlight will be the chance to see Roary the Racing Car and Big Chris on Sunday 28 March at various intervals from 10am – 4pm. These well loved and popular TV characters will be visiting the Centre for a fantastic family fun day of crafts, quizzes and colouring. Children will be able to have their photographs taken with the cheeky young racing car and mechanic as a memento of their day. The Centres electric Go Karts will also be open for those under 8 years who want to have some fun behind the wheel and the petrol Go Karts will be open for those aged 8 years and over.

From Saturday 27 March – Sunday 11 April children can take part in an exciting Easter quiz around the museum from 10am – 5pm. The quiz is offered free of charge although the standard museum entrance fee applies. The Easter holidays also sees the re-opening of the Go Karts and Miniature Roadway which will be open daily from 11am - 4pm weather dependant. ‘Stop Start Under 17 driving sessions’ are also available offering learner driving experiences for those aged 15 and over in dual controlled vehicles. These one hour sessions cost £30 and pre booking is essential.

Children can visit the Centre to paint racing cars on Thursday 1 & Thursday 8 April. These free drop-in family activities will take place in the Education Room from 11am - 3pm. Children will be able to take home what they make and must be supervised at all times.

Penny Tyler, Marketing Officer for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re thrilled that Roary the Racing Car and Big Chris will be making a guest appearance giving children the chance to see these legendary TV characters in person. Along with seeing Roary, we have plenty of exciting activities to keep everyone entertained during the Easter holidays!”

Roary the Racing Car and Big Chris is just one of a whole host of family events taking place at the Heritage Motor Centre during the school holidays in 2010. Normal museum entry fees apply. A family ticket costs just £28 for 2 adults & 3 children. Prices per ride for the 4X4 Experience cost £6.00 for adults and £4.00 for children and concessions. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
 

The Granville @ Barford attracts hilarious talent at Comedy Night

 The Granville @ Barford is to host a second comedy night following on from the success of its first comedy night held in January which was a complete sell-out.  The award-winning dining pub has yet again managed to attract three headline acts to perform on Sunday 30 May at 8pm. The legendary Sol Berstein, James Cook and Marc Lucero are all extremely talented and normally only perform at major comedy clubs.  

After 25 years of semi retirement, Sol Bernstein is back where he belongs as the world's first all-round entertainer. He's a song and dance man, a comedian, a magician, an actor and a Jazz musician. Sol has performed all over the world at venues including The London Palladium, New York's Carnegie Hall, The Paris Olympia and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  He's worked with, and been friends with some of the world’s greatest performers including Elvis, Judy Garland, The Rat Pack, Doris Day, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Eddie Large.  Described by The Guardian as "One part Alf Garnett, two parts Mel Brooks and three parts like nothing you've ever heard". 

Over 50, Marc Lucero brings a different comic perspective to the stand-up landscape.  Essentially a London geezer, Lucero finds himself mellowed by fatherhood and late middle age, venturing tentatively into the unfamiliar and cosseted life of vegetarianism, house-husbandry and touchy-feely support groups. Described by The Daily Mirror as "Brilliant!"

 Currently presenting the weekend breakfast show on BRMB Radio, James Cook is one of the "Brum Pack" of headline acts to emerge from Birmingham in the last few years.  He delights audiences with his tales of fatherhood, family and living with his girlfriend.

The compere will be Ryan Gough who also compered the last comedy night. Ryan performed his first gig in 2000 jumping up on a comedy club stage to deputise for his mate who 'bottled it' at the last minute.  Ryan has now graduated to a regular circuit act, performing at every comedy club from Newcastle to Plymouth.  Being 6 ft 5” and 19 stone with a shaved head, lazy eye and trademark black leather coat, Ryan can look scary and intimidating. However nothing can be further from the truth; Ryan's friendly banter with the audience makes him an ideal compere. Described by Chortle.co.uk, Ryan 'quickly fires the room with energy'.

 Val Kersey, Proprietor of The Granville @ Barford, stated “We’re thrilled to be hosting our second comedy night and attracting three big stars. If our last comedy night is anything to go by, the evening will be a fantastic night out and highly entertaining! As our last comedy night was a complete sell out, I would urge people to book their tickets early.” 

 Tickets cost £8 each or £13 with food. Food will be available from 6pm - 8pm with acts on at 8pm.  The Granville @ Barford is situated 1 mile from the M40 at junction 15 on the A429 sign-posted to Stow-on-the-Wold. Please visit the website at www.granvillebarford.co.uk for further information.

Egg-citing Easter fun in Shakespeare Country!

Experience a whole host of fun activities for all the family in Shakespeare Country during the Easter holidays. Search for clues to win prizes with Easter trails and egg hunts, watch a magical performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Royal Shakespeare Company, learn boat skills or meet legendary guests and experience a Mediaeval Battle scene at Warwick Castle.
Warwick Castle is bringing to life some of its most famous characters, legends and battles this Easter. From 2 – 5 April, the River Island will be transformed into a Mediaeval Battle scene. Re-enactors will spend 4 days eating, sleeping and living the conditions of a real battle. Visitors will be able to tour the site and see how an encamped army would live, cook, amuse themselves with arts and crafts and prepare their weapons for battle. From 27 March, visitors wandering the grounds are advised to look out for some legendary guests including Queen Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII, Robin Hood, The Dragon Slayer and King Arthur.
Watch an award winning production by the Royal Shakespeare Company at The Courtyard Theatre. Romeo and Juliet runs in repertoire from 12 March. On Saturday 27 March children can enjoy a storytelling session about Romeo and Juliet at Waterside Space plus a family workshop which looks at Shakespeare’s characters, themes and language in a fun and informative way. King Lear runs in repertoire from 18 February with a post show talkback session on Thursday 1 April. Antony and Cleopatra also runs in repertoire from 10 April.
The Shakespeare Houses has a host of activities taking place throughout the holidays. See how the Tudors celebrated the coming of spring at Mary Arden’s Farm with cake making, games, dancing, Easter egg trails, preparations for April ‘fools’ and a chance to see newly hatched chicks. Children can enjoy an expert guided woodland tour including fantastical bug-hunting at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage plus an Easter Egg Treasure Trail on Easter Sunday.
Visit Kenilworth Castle on Sunday 28 March from 11am – 5pm and witness Kevin Hicks, one of England’s top historic archers in action. From Sunday 4 – Monday 5 April witness the Castle being brought to life with over 100 folk from the Middle Ages and enjoy spectacular arena shows. Take part in an 'egg-citing' Easter trail from 6 –11 April with chocolate prizes.
The Easter holidays sees the re-opening of the Go Karts and Miniature Roadway at the Heritage Motor Centre. Stop Start under 17 driving sessions offer teenagers learner driving experiences in dual controlled vehicles. On 28 March Roary the Racing Car and Big Chris will visit the Centre for a family fun day of colouring, quizzes, photo opportunities and more. On 1 & 8 April children can enjoy painting racing cars from 11am - 3pm.

Take part in an Easter egg hunt around Jephson Gardens in Royal Leamington Spa on Easter Sunday & Monday from 11am – 4pm. The egg hunt starts at the ‘Restaurant in the Park’ and proceeds go towards Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. Decorate an Easter box and hunt the mini eggs to fill it at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick on Sunday 4 April & Monday 5 April.

Watch a performance with the family at the Royal Spa Centre. Des O’Connor takes to the stage on Monday 29 March at 7.30pm for an evening of comedy, laughter and music. Theo the Mouse Show takes place on Tuesday 6 April featuring songs, sketches and plenty of audience participation.

From 29 March – 9 April journey back to the time of the 2nd Marquess of Hertford at Ragley Hall. Join the Sword Fighting Academy or try your hand at 18th Century family games. From 2 – 5 April, regency period musicians and costumed characters will help visitors learn about Ragley's history and how life was for its residents. Ragley’s Easter Bunny Hunt takes place on 4 & 5 April. Hunt the clues, solve the puzzle and win an egg-tastic prize at Hidcote Manor on Sunday 4 & Monday 5 April. Follow the clues around the stunning terraced gardens at Upton House to win chocolate prizes from Friday 2 – Monday 5 April.

Children can join in the fun at the Stratford Butterfly Farm with an exciting butterfly and insect quiz. Children must solve the clues to work their way around the Farm learning new things as they go. Each clue will lead them somewhere before eventually leading to an Easter prize. Plus join ‘The Jungle Explorers Club’ and get up close with a number of creepy crawlies. Talks and handling sessions take place every day at 11:30am and 2:30pm.

The Falstaff Experience is hosting a weekend of activities from 2 - 5 April with quizzes and lucky dip prizes for children. On Saturday 3 April watch special live performances in the Tudor Courtyard of Shakespeare’s play A Comedy of Errors at 1pm, 2.15pm & 3.30pm.
Take a 45 minute Stratford Ghost Cruise on Saturday 27 March & Saturday 3 April. Cruise along the River Avon during the evening with spine-chilling tales of ghosts, witches, murder and misery from Stratford plus tricks performed by the on-board magician. Stratford Town Walk also operates award-winning daily guided walks around Stratford as well as ghost walks around the historic town.

Wander around Wellesbourne market, one of the largest markets in Britain which is open every Saturday and on bank holidays. Featuring over 500 stalls, it’s a great place to buy Easter eggs and bonnets to share with the family.

Learn how to use a Kayak from 7 – 9 April at Leam Boat Centre and Warwick boats. Paddle Power courses enable children and adults to develop paddle skills, water confidence and knowledge of river safety issues, whilst having loads of fun on the water.

For theatre and attraction tickets, accommodation, brochures, special offers and more information visit the official website: www.shakespeare-country.co.uk or call Shakespeare Country on 0870 160 7930. Contact the Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa Tourist Information Centres for discounted tickets for Warwick Castle, The Shakespeare Houses, Alton Towers, Madame Tussauds and Blenheim Palace. For the second year running Shakespeare Country is responsible for co-ordinating the international marketing funding for the Heart of England region.

 Heritage Motor Centre wins prestigious industry award

The Heritage Motor Centre, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars, has won a prestigious award at the Renaissance West Midlands Best of the West Awards 2010. The results were announced at a ceremony on Friday 26 February at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham. The Centre scooped the ‘Best Temporary Exhibition Award’ for the Mini 50th Anniversary Exhibition which took place in 2009. The annual awards programme aims to reward excellence and highlight best practice in museums and galleries in the West Midlands.

Tens of thousands of visitors travelled to the Heritage Motor Centre to visit the major exhibition which celebrated the life and times of Britain's favourite little car.  ‘50 Years of the Mini’ opened on 10 May 2009 and ran until 23 December charting the history of this great British car. The exhibition featured iconic cars from the museum's collection; including the first Morris Mini produced at Cowley in 1959 and told the story of the design, production and development of the car that became a symbol for the "Swinging Sixties". Due to its success and popularity visitors are still able to access the exhibition until after Easter 2010.

Tim Bryan, Head of Collections at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted and honoured to have won such a prestigious Best of the West industry award. It is a fantastic achievement for everyone concerned to be recognised and rewarded for our Mini Exhibition which attracted visitors from all over the world. I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work, commitment and dedication in ensuring the exhibition was an outstanding success”.

To find out more about the Heritage Motor Centre please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk. For more information about the Mini Exhibition please visit www.minifestival.co.uk/pages/ 50yearsexhibition/50_about.html

Leamington to host exciting two day event celebrating style, arts & culture

 Royal Leamington Spa is to host an exciting new two day event to celebrate style, arts and culture within the town. Leamington Live, which is being organised by BID Leamington, will take place on the 1 & 2 May and is free for visitors to attend. A wide range of events and activities will take place throughout the town centre. Over 100 local businesses are expected to participate in this unique event which aims to promote the town's varied retailers in a fun and engaging way.

Leamington Live will incorporate five trails around the town which will follow the five senses – sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. The Fashion Trail will feature the season’s hottest trends from Leamington retailers with ‘Fashion on the Move’ events plus live fashion shows and in-store demonstrations. Pamper pods will enable visitors to receive complimentary treatments including manicures, massages and make-up lessons.

The Food Trail will incorporate a live kitchen with demonstrations by local chefs, special offers at restaurants and cafes, sampling and themed events. The Art Trail will feature live demonstrations by established and up and coming local artists as well as in store displays of art. The Music Trail will play host to a number of local talented musicians performing a wide range of music from choir singing to string quartets and from jazz to classical in dedicated areas. The Elephant Trail will incorporate a fun treasure trail around the town. Children will have to find toy elephants in store windows, break the code and claim their prize plus the chance to win a family day out at an off road safari.

A pocket sized event leaflet will detail all the events and activities taking place over the two days along with their location and details of how to win the off road safari competition. Event staff will be on hand to guide visitors, answer queries and hand out leaflets.

Helen Smith, Executive Director of BID Leamington, stated “Leamington Live is a unique event celebrating style, arts and culture which is synonymous with the town. This exciting new event will showcase a wide range of local talented artists and performers as well as promoting the first class venues, products and services that Leamington has to offer. With so many exciting activities happening over the two days, Leamington Live provides something for all the family and is an event not to be missed”.

For information on BID Leamington, please visit www.bidleamington.com and for information on Royal Leamington Spa, please visit www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk