By Eleanor Holdsworth

As the invasion rages on in Ukraine I’d like to share the work of the Kiev Independent with you. Its journalists continue to provide fair and reliable reporting in English, despite Russia’s invasion.

In South Rugby News this week

How South Rugby can help Ukrainian people fleeing Russian invasion

3rd March 2022

MORE than a million people have now fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion, according to the UN.

Families fleeing the conflict have left their homes with only the things they were able to carry.

How can you help?

We’ll be updating this page regularly as we hear of more donation points and appeals.

Golf ladies' generous donation to Friends of St Cross and new equipment for hospital patients

🔓3rd March 2022

News of a donation, treatment-changing equipment at St Cross, and a survey to help determine the future of NHS care in Rugby

Ukrainian flag flies from Rugby town hall

🔓 3rd March 2022

“We are shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We stand united in condemnation of this senseless war, which is an attack on democracy and freedom not just in Ukraine, but around the world."

It’s time to imagine a new media

🔓 4th March 2022

Guest writer Debs Grayson from the Media Reform Coalition on what the future of media could look like

World Book Day at Henry Hinde

🔓 4th March 2022

"So much joy can be found in stories, sparking children's imaginations and helping them to learn new words and expressions along the way."

DJ rows through South Rugby on Comic Relief challenge

🔓 5th March 2022

Jordan North's 100-mile journey took him through the Dunchurch Pools Marina last week.

Very Special Old Princethorpian attends cutting of science centre turf

🔓3rd March 2022

Mary Wheildon said: "Princethorpe has seen tremendous changes since my time at St Mary's Priory in the late 50s, early 60s. It warms my heart each time I visit to see the commitment to providing a first-class education"

A little shop with a lot of history

7th March 2022

Three generations of women now run the iconic Wanda Fashions at the heart of Dunchurch village. We interviewed manager Paula Twigger for this long read as part of our week’s celebrations of IWD…

"Relax the normal visa processes for those affected by the invasion of Ukraine”

7th March 2022

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey calls on Government to help Ukrainian refugees.

When magic meets science

🔓8th March 2022

Harry Potter fan and SRN guest youth writer Adrija Ganguly writes about three extraordinary women to celebrate International Women's Day 2022.

Ten new oak trees for Dunchurch

🔓8th March 2022

A couple of weeks ago we reported that tree planting under the Queen's Green Canopy was slow to get going in South Rugby. But now momentum is starting to gather.

What's the housing affordability gender gap like for Rugby?

🔓9th March 2022

The current average house price is £284,802 for the borough. A man in the borough would need 8.7 times his average gross earnings (£35,278) to buy the average house, whereas a woman would need 10.13 times her average gross earnings (£28,124) for the same house. 

Hedges cut and ash trees suffering die-back felled in Cawston

🔓9th March 2022

The works are part of the process to handover parts of Cawston from the housing developers to Rugby Borough Council.

Slugs and snails no longer 'pests'

🔓10th March 2022

Members from Bilton and Dunchurch Allotment Associations reflect on the change in perspective from the RHS

In other news…

Have your say on NHS services

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust has a survey out on its new plans for delivering healthcare in the region for the next eight years. The survey closes on 18th March 2022.

Take the survey

Sleepout for Hope4

The Dunchurch Scouts’ fundraising page for Hope4 is now live. The Scouts will be sleeping out in March to raise money and awareness of homelessness.

Covid-19 figures for Rugby: cases up again

For the week up to 9th March 2022:

• 482 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows a decrease of 117 people (32.1%) compared with the previous seven days.

• 0 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

• 86,577 people had received one dose of the vaccination; 81,967 had received two doses; and 65,241 had had a booster or third dose. That’s 82.2%, 77.6% and 61.8% of the total population aged 12+.

• The estimated R number for the Midlands as of 4th March 2022 is 0.7 - 0.9.

Source: coronavirus.data.gov.uk

Book a vaccine online or attend a drop-in clinic

In Rugby, the walk-in sites are at Locke House at The Railings, and at Hillmorton’s Ex-Serviceman’s Club on High Street in Hillmorton. In addition to the walk-in clinics, you can book a jab on the NHS website.

What’s on

Although face masks are no longer a legal requirement, Warwickshire County Council is encouraging all residents to continue to wear one in enclosed spaces to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Share your events or special offers with us at editor@southrugbynews.co.uk.

• Bilton Allotment and Garden Association shop open: Saturdays and Wednesdays, 10am to 12 noon, cash only.

• Craft fayre at Rugby Railway Club: Sunday 13th March, 12 noon to 4pm, Rugby Railway Club, Hillmorton Rd, Rugby CV22 5AL,

• Gather at Dunchurch Community Garden: Sunday 13th March, 11am, by Dunchurch Library. A chance to help tidy the garden and discuss planting for the coming year.

Church services

Saturday 12th March:

• Sacred Heart Church, Bilton, 5pm mass: public worship and on YouTube.

Sunday 13th March:

• Sacred Heart Church, Bilton: 9.30am public worship and on YouTube.

• St Mark’s Church, Bilton: Communion at 8am and 10am in St Mark’s and via Facebook/YouTube. Also choral evensong, 6pm.

• Dunchurch Baptist Church: 10.30am at the new church building on Coventry Road, also livestreamed.

• St Peter’s Church, Dunchurch: 10.30am service.

• Bilton Evangelical Church: 10.30am, in-person and online service.

• Bilton Methodist Church: 10.30am in person

Democracy: coming up next week

Monday 14th March 2022

• Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions 10am

• Rugby Borough Council meeting 7pm. The agenda includes RBC’s new housing strategy for 2022-24.

• Dunchurch parish council meeting, 7pm. Read the agenda

• Thurlaston parish council meeting, 7pm. Read the agenda

Tuesday 15th March 2022

• Warwickshire County Council meeting 10am

• Cawston parish council meeting, 7pm. Read the agenda

Wednesday 16th March 2022

• Warwickshire County Council Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee 10am

• Warwickshire County Council Warwickshire Waste Partnership 2pm

Friday 18th March 2022

• Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions 12noon

Foodbank

This week the foodbank urgently needs shampoo, razors, toothpaste, deodorants and quality carrier bags. They are running low on 500g rice, pouches of plain/flavoured rice, UHT milk and shaving foam.

There are donation locations throughout South Rugby. See the full list of drop-off points.

There is also emergency free food available at the Dunchurch Library, open during library opening hours (currently Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). Find out more about the Dunchurch Pantry.

Sports reports

Big win for 1st XV, narrow loss for 2nds and Colts progress in Warwickshire Cup

The 1st XV scored 11 tries in beating Pinley 73-0, but the 2nd XV went down to a narrow 6-7 loss to Newbold 2nds in the semi-final of the Clonmell Cup. Read the full story

Match reports from oldlaurentianrfc.rfu.club

Fixtures:

• Saturday 12th March 2022, 2.15pm: Old Laurentian RFC v Warwickshire Police Charity Fixture

Rugby Farmers Mart

This week’s prices per head, at a glance:

• Prime steers: £1,758 (British Blue sold by GJ & MP Allen)

• Prime heifers: £1,924 (Limousin sold by T V & J Kennealy)

• Prime bulls: £1,335 (sold by Pete Amor)

• OTM cattle: £1,585 (Charolais x OTM sold by RAJ & D Hopkins & Son)

• Cows: £2,225 (Limousin bull sold by W E James Farming)

• Prime hogg SQQ: £150 (Texel x sold by P Batchelor)

• Prime hoggs: £147 (Texel x sold by J & H Tustian)

• Ewes: £212 (Texel x sold by R Kellet)

• Bucket calves: £308

• Weaned calves to £420 (British Blue Bull sold by Messrs AD & RM Thomas, Kimcote)

• Store lambs: £121 (Texel sold by Drapers Haulage)

Rugby Farmers Mart is held on a Monday at the Charolais Pavilion, Avenue M, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2RG.