Newsletters

We publish a newsletter four times a year. The current issue is below, with the preceding ones back to February 2015.  For each we list some of the main topics covered.

If you wish to contribute a feature for a coming newsletter please email our webmaster using the link on the Contact page.  

August 2024

Warwick District Council’s biodiversity action programme, New Government plans for housing, A view from the gardens, Talks this autumn, Changes to our town, Do you remember the Lights of Leamington?, Hitchman’s Arboretum Mural, Heritage Developments at the Foundry Wood Sidings, Members’ views on ‘No Mow May’ campaign, Shopfronts in Leamington, Leamington Society Awards 2024, Midland Red in Royal Leamington Spa and Introducing the Leamington Society Committee (Part One).

Events, No Mow May is back – with lessons learnt?, We want to hear your views, Trees planted in Sayer Close, A view from the gardens, Coronation Corner at Leamington Station, News from Leamington Sky Garden, Old School Transformation, Leamington History Group Walks 2024 Programme, The South Warwickshire Literary Festival, Review of talk by Ian Harrabin of Historic Coventry Trust on 10th April, The WDC Conservation Advisory Forum What it is and why it is important, The Leamington Vision Refresh, First Bicycle Mayor of Warwick District shares his experiences, Leamington Society Awards,

Severn Trent’s ground-breaking river health project progresses in Leamington, Development along the river Leam, A view from the Gardens, Businesses you weren’t aware were there until they were gone, Picking and choosing – view from the gallery, Choose how you move, Breathing Life into Warwickshire: Anti-idling campaign in 2024, Latest blue plaque unveiled, Future of Transport in Leamington Spa (Review of the panel discussion on 8th February, 2024), Discussion of work of local novelist Celia Reed (Review of joint event with Leamington Literary Society on 14th November 2023), What does the Leamington Society Committee do? and In Memoriam – Val Davis.

Chairman’s Notes, Creative Quarter: History, Development and Possible Futures, Transforming Leamington, Wednesday, December 13th Muir and Norden Talk by David Howe, Churchyard Regeneration – Community Garden & Labyrinth, Sky Garden, Wych Elm Park, Awards time again – in 2024, New chapter for Action 21, ‘Their Finest Hour’ Leamington History Project 7th October 2023, Leamington History Group Film Evening 11th December, Community Rail Partnership October 2023 in Bicester and In Memoriam – Janet Alty and Janet Storrie. 

August 2023

Our New Home, Unwelcome Changes at the Pump Rooms, Cycling in Leamington, Foundry Wood is 10!, Leamington Station, Station ticket office closure, Heritage Open Days 2023, Made in Leamington, Why not to share your knowledge?, A Vision for the next four years for Warwick District, Sidney Syson on Being the Chair, Many Cultures, One Town and a Tribute to Archie Pitts.

May 2023

AGM elected executive committee 2023-24.  Bruno Eurich on project to Make Mill Bridge Great Again.  The purpose of the Leamington Society.  Review of talks by Steven Holland on his life arranging celebratory events in the Glasshouse alongside helping Leamington’s needy; Michelle Hill on finding a new purpose for redundant historic buildings.  New life for the Town Hall.  Assorted news around town, including 10th anniversary of creation of Foundry Wood.  Ian Baxter paying tribute to Adrian Shooter, founding father of Chiltern Railways.

February 2023

Coming talks, including tribute to Adrian Shooter.  Newbold Comyn.  Heating listed homes.  HMOs Licensing consultation.  Severn Trent works in PRG.  WDC is moving from Riverside House plus latest plans for Riverside House site.  Silicon Spa exhibition.  Review of recent talks by Stella Bolitho, Andrew Day, Jess Mooney and Kalvarn Birk

November 2022

Talks to March 2023, including extra talk by Andrew Day on the new Elizabeth Park linking Leamington to Warwick. Latest plans for Riverside House. Achievements of Friends of Christchurch Gardens, and Friends of Leamington Station. Review of presentations by Louise Richards of Motionhouse, and by Professor Darren Smith on Studentification in Leamington

August 2022

Talks to Xmas 2022.  Levelling up bid to cure pollution in Bath Street.  The largest yet student block in canal area?  AITP 2022.  Green Flag awards for PRG.  FLAG at 50.  Finding Leamington in Commonwealth.  Major overhaul at station. Ignite 2022.  Tributes to Richard Ashworth and to Rachel Chesterfield.

May 2022

Failed SDC and WDC merger.  Non-enforcement of Planning regulations.  Failed Court Street development application.  New foot bridge over Leam?  Tribute to Jonathan Nicholls.  Christchurch Gardens.  Leamington Station.  Foundry Wood.  Hitchman Fountain restored.  HMOs.  COP26.  And more …

February 2022 (Amended)

Coming talks.  HMOs and students in Leamington.  Role of WDC in monitoring and enforcing HMO regulations.  Tree planting in Warwick District. Maintenance of station gardens with help of Network Rail volunteers.  Railway art with Kevin Parrish.  Repair and decoration of Princes Drive railway bridge to custom designed artwork by Jennie Moncur.  £1.4mn Heritage Lottery grant to Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick.  Tribute to memory of Iain Smith.  Notice of 2022 AGM: 19 May, 7.00

November 2021

Resignations of our Chairman (Sidney Syson) and Programme Secretary (Carole Sleight). Photos of winning Awards. Foundry Wood appeal. People’s inquiry into Climate Change. Generating education and energy from water at Mill Bridge. Regeneration of All Saints’ churchyard with a labyrinth. Street trees in Leamington. Trees in Jephson Gardens in Autumn – video. Just Inspire at the Riverside Glasshouse

Update to the arrangements announced in the November newsletter:  Our vice-chairman Barbara Lynn will be acting-chairman until a new chairman is elected at our AGM next May.

August 2021

Coming talks. Awards. Victoria park update. The Larder / Aviary, Pump Rooms cafe. Mural festival. The Dell and Leamington GALS. Paul Edwards’ tree. South Warwickshire Local Plan. Roger Charters.

May 2021

Coming talks.  AGM report.  The Society’s achievements over 65 years.  Archie Pitts.  Transport in Leamington.  Games and Interactive Futures 2021.  A plea for Newbold Comyn.  Waste disposal in Warwickshire.  Developments at 1 Mill Street.  Positive change for our town centre.  Obituary for Mota Singh

February 2021

Visions and hopes for Leamington town in 2021, with the leader of WDC.  What happened locally in 2020 during the pandemic; contribution of CPRE.  Cycling on Newbold Comyn. How will we heat our fine heritage homes without spoiling their appearance as we move to a carbon neutral world?

November 2020

Spencer Yard murals.  Covid-19 and effect on town centre business.  Cycling and Newbold Comyn.  United Reform Church and Spencer Yard plans.  Government Planning proposals.  Redesign of Station forecourt.  Bandstand and Pump Room Gardens.  The future for railways with Ian Baxter.

August 2020

Welcome from Mayor, Cllr. Susan Rasmussen.  Goodbye from our Town Clerk, Robert Nash, after 18 years.  Proposed changes to planning processes.  Taming station gardens after lockdown. Peter Storrie obituary

May 2020

AGM.  Newbold Comyn Masterplan.  Effect of Covid-19 on Leamington business.  Plus more on the consequences of the pandemic for the town.

February 2020

Newbold Comyn.  K2L.  Leamington Society Awards 2020.  More Purpose Built student housing in Old Town gets closer.  Our AGM, May 14th

November 2019

Bandstand update.  Air quality in Leamington.  Updates on Creative Quarter.  Art in the Park 2019.  Latest on Peacocks (Warwick Street).  Action 21.  Another PBSA?  Station Gardens

August 2019

Clean air for Leamington.  Litter.  Plastic.  Newbold Comyn. Trees & Leafy Leamington.  Classic cars event in PRG.  Blue Plaques.  Leamington Station

May 2019

The threat to England’s green landscape.  The future for Newbold Comyn. Art in the Park 2019.  John Ruskin and Leamington.  The Pump Room Gardens and the new rain garden

February 2019

Neighbourhood Plan. Creative Quarter.  Pump Room Gardens project.  Riverside House/ Council Offices.  Rough Sleepers.  Peacocks / House of Fraser

November 2018

WDC Offices / Covent Garden.  Student Accommodation.  Housing crisis, Conservation area conflict

August 2018

A view from Warwick on the WDC offices.  Licensing of HMOs.  Car parking in Leamington part 2.  Centenary Fields.  Grand Union Canal Conservation area consultation

May 2018

Restoring ironwork.  Car parking in Leamington. HMOs.  Pump Room Gardens update.  Cleanup Britain.  New life in the Old Town.  Clarendon Square

February 2018

Parking Diversions.  Green Spaces.  Data protection regulation.  Future of Newbold Comyn.  “We are not alone”.  Conserving our war memorials. The cyclist: a threat to pedestrians?  Cultural or creative quarter?

November 2017

Warwick and Leamington Constituency.  Happy Leamington – Crowded Leamington? Covent Garden and Riverside House. Opening of Vitsœ building.

August 2017

New Local Plan.  Fly Tipping.  Victoria Colonnade.  Redevelopment of Riverside House.  Newbold Comyn developments.  Canal Conservation area

May 2017

The bottom line in local government. Covent Garden Redevelopment for council offices. Community infrastructure levy.

February 2017

Student accommodation.  Fly tipping. “Studentification”

November 2016 

Brown Field developments.  Town Centre forum.  Neighbourhood plan

August 2016

Planning for uncertain times.  Space standards in housing.  University community matters conference. Development at station approach

May 2016

What’s the point of the Leamington Society?  New Warwick District Council office proposals.  Air pollution and health

February 2016

Localism?  Creative Quarter.  Pump Room Gardens HLF grant application.  Greedy planning submissions.  Planning for large scale Homes in Multiple Occupation.

November 2015

Carry on Planning.  University town Leamington.  “To Let” signs.  Creative Quarter.  Czecholslovak Memorial Fountain.  Pump Room Gardens submission

August 2015

Local Plan.  Inspector’s judgement.  External thermal insulation. Planning: the wrong way, the right way.  Redevelopment south of the river.  Student accommodation proposal. Pump Room Gardens Project.  Warwickshire college transformation

May 2015

A great place to live … and breathe? WDC local Plan “Unsound”.  Pump Room Gardens

February 2015

Submission of local plan.  Gateway refusal.  “To let” signs.  New district council.  Major joining schemes under consideration. Housing at station approach