Southam News

As featured in today's Daily Express [see below] Southam is in the headlines.

In the face of growing opposition to the High Speed Rail Link [HS2], the Department for Transport issued a bold new plan.

Announcing the plan at a press conference this morning a DFT spokesperson announced; "Some people have complained about the Link coming too close to Southam and Ladbroke so we have decided to move Southam and Ladbroke out of the way".

Pictured above is the official DFT map for the plan. On the left is the existing location of Southam: on the right is the new site. Click here for a closer look at the DFT map.

The plan has met with universal approval. A spokesman from Southam Council has said; "It's great. The new site should catch the sun nicely in the morning".

The move of the town will occur during the Summer when everyone is on holiday. The old site will become green belt land and will be known as 'The new field next to the railway'. A large sign will be erected pointing confused SatNav propelled drivers to the new Southam.

It's not all good news for the peace loving residents of the two locations as the new, multi-runway, Hellidon Golf Course International Airport is due for completion in 2012.

[HS2 Limited would not comment]

Those well known loons at Twitter have changed the way the entire service works!

Withour bothering to make their devious intentions widley know, as from September 1, api interfaces with Twitter will fail unless radically altered.

This means that many sites like Southam News will be unable to talk to Twitter.

The good news is that we've cracked the problem anyhoo and Southam News Twitter is back on line after a break of several hours.

The bad news is that the Twitter service is now under strain as other sites repeatedly try to access the service to no avail. This, in turn, affects sites that bring in Twitter content [eg the Twitter module in the left hand column]. And, if that's not enough, further changes to the way Twitter works are in the pipe-line.

Follow Us on Twitter.

In addition to the RSS news feed available from Southam News you can now subscribe via the FeedBurner Service.

 Southam News on FeedBurner

The old Stoneythorpe Hotel has now been transformed into a wedding venue.

Now Warwick House: Weddings of Distinction, it is having a grand opening on Saturday November 27.

 Warwick House

Stratford-on-Avon District Council will be carrying out some routine maintenance work to Council buildings starting on 6 September and, weather permitting, finishing on 20 November 2010.

Access will be provided by cradles, scaffolding and cherry pickers so that all works are carried out in a safe and professional manner.

The contract to carry out external re-painting and ancillary building works has been awarded to G I Sykes Ltd and involves painting and joinery repairs to:

• Elizabeth House
• Southam Grange
• Windsor Street and Bridgefoot Car Parks
• Public Conveniences: Southam, Stratford and Shipston Leisure Centres

All the District Council's buildings will remain fully operational and open during these works and full public access will remain.

Warwickshire County Council are offering FREE ELECTRIC BLANKET TESTING to ensure your electric blanket is safe to use.

The offer applies to over 50s only and by appointment only.

There are a number of venues where the testing will take place:

• Nuneaton Fire Station, Monday 4th October
• Leamington Town Hall, Tuesday 5th October
• Rugby Library, Wednesday 6th October
• Kenilworth Library, Thursday 7th October
• United Reformed Church, Stratford, Friday 8th October

Book today by calling the Trading Standards Service on 01926 736477 [9am - 5pm] or email: ebtesting@warwickshire.gov.uk

Southam & District Lions Club will once again be holding their famous 'HOG ROAST' on Monday 18th October 2010 at the back of the Old Mint in Southam. Why are they doing it? It's because they do and they do it every year? But why on October 18th? It's because it's Southam's answer to Alton Towers - the  FAMOUS ANNUAL MOP FAIR.
 
In the evening, when the baps are generously filled with roasted pork, crackling, stuffing and apple sauce, you can savour the aroma of the roasted meat and join the queue for the finest tasty treat of the night!

You are welcome to come along earlier and meet the Lions some of whom will have been on active duty since 8am getting the Hog ready  and wired to the pole! (That's the hog wired to the pole not the Lions!)
 
Other attractions apart from the fair organised and run by the Lions include the HOG ROAST RAFFLE supported by our many business friends in the area with magnificent prizes and the TOMBOLA which is always popular particularly with the young people. So mums and dads make sure you have some golden coins in your purses and pockets for the little ones!
 
The Lions are supporting ''HELP FOR HEROES'' and of course local charities this year.

Chesterton Windmill will once again be opened by Warwickshire County Council to the public.

Following the success of last year’s opening, the windmill will be fully operational (weather permitting) for one weekend, planned for 11 and 12 of September in conjunction with National Heritage Open Days.

The opening is the result of a partnership between Warwickshire County Council Museum Service and local residents. Many of the stewards for the event are volunteers from the local community.

Volunteers will also be responsible for direction signs and facilities for visitors on the day. They have also been involved in much of the preparation to make sure that the windmill is fully ready to receive visitors.

The windmill will be open between 10am and 4.30pm on each day (last entry is at 4pm) and there is a suggested donation of £1 per person. Please note that access is via a steep stairway.

The windmill is approximately five miles to the south of Leamington Spa, just off the B4455 Fosse Way, map reference SP 348 595. There will be limited parking at the site depending on the weather. The nearest village is Harbury.

Michelle Phillips, Museum Service & Transformation Manager said: “The opening of Chesterton Windmill has been a very successful event in the past and we are delighted that the event is able to happen again this year.

“Warwickshire County Council Museum Service would like to thank the local residents who have so enthusiastically offered their services as volunteers and ensured that the opening takes place.”

Malcolm Murphy, organiser of the local volunteers, said: “The local residents are very proud of Chesterton Windmill and we are pleased to be able to offer our support to this worthwhile event.”

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Alumet Systems have been shortlisted for a National Business Award.

The Southam based company are finalists in The ICAEW Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Award category.

The National Business Awards are open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK. The National Business Awards in partnership with Orange is the UK’s most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. The National Business Awards connects the nations’ professionals through its annual awards ceremony; year-round conferences and round table events; and is United Business Media’s leading awards programme.

Over 150 of the UK’s most innovative and resilient public and private sector businesses have been announced as finalists in the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange. Organisations shortlisted this year range from the well-known – Unilever, Camelot, Marks & Spencer, American Express, Coca Cola, The Co-Operative Group and Alumet – through to the rising stars of Ella’s Kitchen, Freesat, Coffee Nation, Naked Wines, and Cheapflights.

“Orange has sponsored the National Business Awards for the past nine years and I am delighted that the calibre of entrants keeps on improving.  It's been a tough couple of years for business but the UK's organisations have not let this stop them from delivering success.  I'd like to congratulate all the finalists for being a real inspiration for what is possible in business”, said Martin Stiven, Vice President, Orange UK.

Commenting on the encouraging figures and the calibre of entries, Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges, the National Business Awards, said: “The economic climate continues to present UK businesses with an unprecedented challenge and it is therefore encouraging that the entries in this year’s National Business Awards have shown no drop in quality or performance. Congratulations to all finalists for demonstrating great strength in the ability to adapt and innovate quickly which no doubt reflects the resilience and optimism that are the hallmarks of UK enterprise.”

Finalists will make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel from 20th September – 6th October.

2010 winners will be unveiled at a glittering award ceremony on 9th November at the Grosvenor House hotel in London. Current title holders include Peter Marks, Group CEO, the Co-op, who won The Orange Leader of the Year in 2009 and Tristram Mayhew, CEO, Go Ape, who won The Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award 2009.

 National Business Awards

 Alumet

In a recent particularly scurrilous article, aspersions were cast on our allies and friends the Canadians.

The article accused the Canucks of being mamby pamby about the use of Warwickshire's Bear and Ragged Staff because they want to free it from its chains.

It transpires that Warwickshire Council have beaten them to it.

Councils made 'political correctness' an art form and Warwickshire have, for a long time, had a watered down Bear and Ragged Staff.

 The Warwickshire Council bear: free at last

The Police version appears to be wearing a skirt and hat. It is so happy to be free of its chains that it's having a dance - a pole dancer, in fact.

Another example from the Police. This shows what happens when you lose the chains: the bear can't find the staff.

The Council bear had another job before working  for the council: