Reader Sandra Bevan sent us this photograph of the swathes of snowdrops at St Mark’s Church in Bilton. She said: “Do come along to see the lovely snowdrops in the churchyard. There is a trodden path around the edge of the Northern meadow to the left of the church tower for this area to be explored.”

Have you got a spring flower photo to share? Send it to editor@southrugbynews.co.uk

In South Rugby News this week

Archaeology trenches dug at Thurlaston Meadows

🔓18th February 2022

Work has begun on the 19 test trenches at Thurlaston Meadows to investigate any archaeological remains on the site.

Charity rugby match for 'Remarkable Ronnie'

20th February 2022

Old Laurentian RFC is hosting a charity game against Warwickshire Police on Saturday 12th March 2022 to raise funds for life-changing therapy for three-year-old Ronnie Shore.

Jubilee plans in motion

21st February 2022

Cawston and Dunchurch plans to celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee begin to take shape.

Rugby High School students get an inside look in Parliament

21st February 2022

A group of Rugby High School students had a tour of Parliament earlier this month and met with Rugby MP Mark Pawsey. The students were among the first to return to Parliament’s Education Unit. The coronavirus pandemic meant that physical visits to Parliament had been unavailable for much of the past two years, instead offering virtual tours online.

Dunchurch to enter Britain in Bloom 2022

🔓22nd February 2022

The Friends of Dunchurch Society will again be entering the village into the 2022 RHS Britain in Bloom competition, after two successful previous displays.

Bilton people to gather for world day of prayer

🔓23rd February 2022

People from Bilton will be joining thousands of others across the world on the first Friday in March for a special annual prayer event. This year’s church service has been written by women from Northern Ireland, England and Wales about the issues the face and how they have dealt with them.

Bilton’s World Day of Prayer service, organised by Bilton Churches Together, will be held on Friday 4th March, 2022 at 10.30 am at Sacred Heart Church, Lime Tree Avenue, Bilton CV22 7QT.

£5 average hike in annual council tax for Rugby Borough

23rd February 2022

The actual total amount paid by each household will depend on their council tax band and which parish or town area it's in.

Slow uptake of Queen's Green Canopy tree planting in Rugby

🔓24th February 2022

There’s a national campaign to plant trees for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but according to the official map uptake has been slow around South Rugby.

However, there are plans for at least 60 more trees in South Rugby thanks to one village group

In other news…

Electric car charging

Last week we reported that Cawston parish council was due to look at options for public EV charging. However, their discussions were postponed until the next meeting.

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 down again

For the week up to 23rd February 2022:

• 511 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows a decrease of 160 people (23.8%) compared with the previous seven days.

• 2 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. That’s 2 more than the previous week.

• 86,397 people had received one dose of the vaccination; 81,442 had received two doses; and 64,684 had had a booster or third dose. That’s 82.1%, 77.4% and 61.5% of the total population aged 12+.

• The estimated R number for the Midlands as of 18th February 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.

• Bilton Grange whole school open day: Saturday 26th February, 10am. Book online to attend.

• Open day at Dunchurch Baptist Church: Saturday 26th February, 2pm - 4pm, Coventry Road.

• Live music, food and rugby at Napton Cidery: Saturday 26th February, 12 noon - 6pm. The event is free, but register for tickets online.

Church services

Saturday 26th February:

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

Sunday 27th February:

• 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.

• 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 28th February

• Warwickshire County Council Urgent Leader Decision, Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader 12 noon

Wednesday 2nd March

• Warwickshire County Council Joint Place Forum, Health and Wellbeing Board, 1.30pm

• Rugby Borough Council Scrutiny Committee meeting

Thursday 3rd March

• Warwickshire County Council Special Meeting, Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2pm

Foodbank

This week the foodbank urgently needs tinned custard, squash drinks bottles, tinned snack meals like ravioli and tinned rice pudding. They are running low on UHT milk, 500g rice, jam and spreads, shower gel and tomato ketchup.

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

Good wins for 1sts and 2nds over Spartans

A handsome 30-13 win for the 1st XV over Spartans whilst the 2nd XV travelled away to Spartans and came home with a 20-5 win. The Colts went down to Syston, always strong opponents, by 12-24. Read the full account of the 1st XV game by Bill Wallis.

Match reports from oldlaurentianrfc.rfu.club

Fixtures:

• Saturday 26th February: Old Laurentians vs Silhillians

Rugby Farmers Mart

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

• Prime steers: £1,835 (British Blue sold by Page Bros)

• Prime heifers: £1,630 (Limousin x sold by G R Fountaine & Son)

• Prime bulls: £1,631 (sold by Messrs Lowe)

• OTM cattle: £1,625 (Simmental sold by Page Bros)

• Cows: £1,460 (Limousin sold by J C Bostock & Son)

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

• Prime hoggs: £156.50 (Beltex x sold by P Batchelor)

• Ewes: £187(Beltex x sold by P Batchelor)

• Calves: £340 (Limousin bull calf sold by P Dyson)

• Store lambs: £110.50 (sold by Mr AV Taylor)

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