Life in Leam

A group of local women have gone a little bit Calendar Girls all in the name of raising money for 33 local charities. The brainchild of Tracey McAtamney, founder of Ladies First Professional Development, this remarkable calendar celebrates a wonderfully diverse collection of Midlands women, each championing a charity close to her heart. Tracey joins two of the calendar's other stars – photographer...

Global human rights movement Amnesty International has an active Mid-Warwickshire group based in Leamington Spa, and this November they're hosting a very special event. Anoosheh Ashoori was imprisoned in Iran's notorious Evin Prison alongside Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Both were finally released in March 2022, following years of campaigning by Amnesty International and others. Since his release, A...

La Violette Società was a long-running live performance event series hosted by Violette Records in Liverpool.  It successfully ran for 10 years showcasing an eclectic mix of performers and sharing the proceeds equally between them. On its conclusion in Liverpool, the baton passed to Brendan and Jas, two enthusiasts who wanted to bring the same concept to their own home town of Leamington Spa and t...

Since setting up The Central School of Massage in 2009, Kathryn Ellis has helped over 1,000 people to learn massage skills, gain qualifications or build businesses offering holistic and sports therapies.  Her enthusiasm for the power of these treatment methods and the opportunity they bring for people to develop income is unabated as she explains her methods, which help people to transform from no...

What's it like to sleep on the streets? Lucky for most of us we don't have the experience to be able to answer that question.  And yet, to really comprehend, even for one night, what it is to be homeless there's no substitute for actually sleeping out, and that's why local charity Helping Hands Community Project organises its annual BIG Sleep Out at All Saints' Church, now in its 11th year. For th...

Back again after a brilliant first campaign in October 2025, Cancer Research UK is again turning the town centre pink on 3-11 October.  You can wear a splash of pink, visit the participating businesses, take part in the entertainments, make a donation or join other revellers at one of their  parties. Deborah and Ann from the organising team explain all the juicy details, how you can get still get...

Leamington is becoming a little bit of Poland for the weekend of 25-27 September.  The brainchild of Helen Beecroft of Leamington Music and Dawid Kozlowski of the Polish Centre, the festival features five concerts, two world-premieres, an illustrated talk, a visit from the Polish Ambassador and even some Polish food to try.  Who wouldn’t be a little bit excited by that prospect!  Helen and David s...

There's rather more to the Rage Rooms than you might first think, as I discovered when I met founder Lucy Bee and her operations manager Fi. Yes of course you can book-in for a smash-and-go session, a team-build, birthday (or even divorce) party. But there is also a serious therapeutic method behind the madness.  Lucy explains that as a trained therapist specialising in anger and conflict, she wan...

The Leamington Food & Drink Festival is back for 2026, running on 12th and 13th September in Pump Room Gardens.  And no-one knows this landmark event in Leamington’s calendar like Alison Shaw, who has been its organiser for the last 16 years! Who better then to explain the cuisines, the drinks, the activities, the music and how to get the very best out of this delicious weekend without busting...

Fancy sampling some of Leamington’s brilliant independent restaurants while raising money for two great causes? A Taste of Leamington is a one-night dine-around experience that takes you on a culinary tour of the town, with proceeds supporting Parkinson’s UK and Warwickshire Search and Rescue. In this episode, Linda John from Leamington Rotary Club explains how the evening works, how to book, and...

The area goes by several names: Victoria Business Centre, Neilston St, or just “under the arches”.  But what everyone agrees is that this collection of bars, breweries, music stages, eateries and the space that they share is one of the most interesting and enjoyable parts of Leamington for an evening out, or to while-away a lazy weekend. And from time to time, this adored collection of local micro...

With a parade down the Parade (of course), and an all-day event in Pump Room Gardens, this Saturday 22nd August Leamington once again hosts the Warwickshire Pride Festival. Dan Browne, Chair of Warwickshire Pride shares the plans for this party with a purpose - with stalls, food, drink, music and events for all the family (including its canine members). https://warwickshirepride.co.uk/  

If you enjoy a potter in the garden and also a bit of friendly company - or know someone who does - then meet Rachel Goldsmith who recently discovered her love of gardening and now leads the Warwickshire Social Gardening Project.  It's a free community initiative that benefits those who take part and also improves life for us all with its beautiful planted spaces in and around town. With regular m...

How do you start a new chapter for one of Leamington's most respected and successful choirs? Since becoming Musical Director in 2024, Jim Bate has been doing exactly that. Fresh from university, he's already introducing exciting new programming, fresh collaborations and ambitious performances, including this October's much-anticipated presentation of Nathaniel Dett's powerful yet rarely performed...

Growing organic fruit and veg for nearly 20 years, Canalside Community Food is a thriving Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme sitting just on the edge of town, near Radford Semele.  Scheme members enjoy a weekly share of the harvest as well as social and volunteering opportunities throughout the year.  I visited the farm to chat with general administrator Ali Jeffery about how it all work...

The fabulous Art in the Park festival returns to Leamington Spa on 1st and 2nd August 2026.  With over 250 artists in attendance, 35 workshops, 3 music stages, 20+ food and drink vendors, live performances and a parade, this promises to be another spectacular weekend and a highlight of the Warwickshire calendar. Who better to give an insider's guide to this year's festival than the Festival Direct...

Iyengar Yoga is renowned as being one of the most accessible forms of yoga. It uses a range of props such as blocks, ropes, chairs and bolsters to support the participant and so complete novices and even people with stiffness or injury can experience the benefits without risking strain. Leamington now has its own Iyengar studio on Clemens Street and the bottom of town.  A Community Interest Compan...

If you’re curious to explore Leamington Spa and learn about some of the people and events that shaped the modern town, then the free guided walks offered by the Leamington History Group are exactly what you need. Each year, new walks are added, including some specifically for children this year!  Paula Fletcher leads the overall walks programme and shares some of the facts she finds most fascinati...

What lies behind the white columns and portico of the beautiful building on Spencer Street opposite Leamington Assembly?  It turns out what originally was a church has been remodelled in to a beautiful co-working and event space as part of the cultural and creative quarter development. I crept into the crypt and met Simon Reeve, The Fold's Managing Director to learn about what goes on there, both...

Just 10 mins drive from Leamington is a scene of such serenity, fragrance and beauty that you'll think you're in a dream.  Ian and Pippa Jamie first planted lavender here in 2019, and for a few weeks each summer it transforms the landscape visually, aromatically, and audibly as the myriad of bees, butterflies and other insects feast on its fragrant nectar. During this magical time, they open the f...

If you’re a classic car fan, then Pump Room Gardens in Leamington hosts a must-see event every summer, Cars at the Spa.  Now in its 7th year, it showcases around 300 cars from the early 20th century right up to modern day classics.  Free to attend, and also featuring live music, food and drink, it’s a perfect day out.  It also raises money for good causes. Simon Evans and Linda John of organisers...

13-14th June 2026 sees the full return of the legendary Leamington Peace Festival.  A feature of Leamington summers since 1978, until sadly interrupted by the pandemic. It's back in its full glory thanks to an organising team guided by original founder members and powered by a new generation of volunteer enthusiasts. I met with two of this super-team, Jennie Devine and Leila Clare to get the insid...

Comedy improv is alive and well in Leamington the shape of Leamprov, a group that performs monthly in town (also at the Edinburgh Fringe) and hosts weekly improv workshops for the curious.  I went to one of their shows, and then sat down with Jet and Kate from the troupe to understand why they do it, how they do it, why people watch it and how you can get involved. https://www.meetup.com/leamprov/...

The folk music scene in Leamington has just taken a leap forward with the revival of the Heart of England Folk Club and its free “Foak at the Oak” performances which run every fourth Tuesday evening at Oak House on Upper Holly Walk. Organisers Campbell Perry and Ruth Noble (who together perform as folk duo Harper’s Dove) tell how they were inspired to restart the club after some decades’ hiatus an...

Once a month, 40-50 people gather at Temperance to share views on a topic that they choose at the start of the meeting.  Attendance is free and is open to all, and the emphasis is on learning through hearing diverse views. Chaired by Paolo Turrini, the Temperance Philosophy Club is celebrating over 20 meetings now. Many people just go to listen, some expect to just listen but soon feel able to spe...