This week we reported on how our two local MPs voted in the Universal Credit uplift debate. We explored how there’s a new off-road cycle route planned that’ll help connect Leamington and Rugby, and we shared a Thurlaston resident’s worry about night-time lighting affecting local wildlife. We also looked in detail at the upcoming local elections.

Behind the headlines

How to have your say in local democracy

Local elections 2021

Church services this weekend

Saturday 30th January

• Sacred Heart, Bilton, 5pm mass: public worship and on YouTube. No booking necessary to attend the service, but please wear a face mask, wash your hands and observe social distancing. 

Sunday 31st January

• Sacred Heart, Bilton, 9:30am mass: public worship and on YouTube. No booking necessary to attend the service, but please wear a face mask, wash your hands and observe social distancing. 

• St Mark’s Church, Bilton, 10am Holy Communion: via Facebookand also now their YouTube channel

• Dunchurch Baptist Church, 10:30am, online service: "Healing", with Rev. Anne Hibbert from The Well Christian Healing Centre, Leamington. https://service.dunchurchbaptistchurch.org.uk/

• St Peter’s Church, Dunchurch, 10:30am, online service: call 01788 891066 for the link

• Bilton Evangelical Church, 10am, online service: www.becchurch.org.uk/

• Bilton Methodist Church, 11am: Join the live-streamed services from the Wesleyan Chapel and Leysian Mission

• St Mark’s Church, Bilton, 6pm: Choral Evensong for Candlemas, via YouTube

If you’d like to include another worship service, please do email editor@southrugbynews.co.uk. 

What’s on this weekend?

• The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Coming up next week

• Rugby Borough Council cabinet meeting, Monday 1st February, 5:30pm. Watch the meeting via livestream

• Warwickshire County Council meeting on the local Police and Crime Commissioner precept charges for 2021/22: Find out more

• Warwickshire County Council regulatory committee meeting, Tuesday 2nd February, 10:30am: Find out more

• Rugby Borough Council meeting, Tuesday 2nd February, 7pm. Watch the meeting via livestream

• Rugby Borough Council planning committee meeting, Wednesday 3rd February, 5:30pm. Watch the meeting via livestream

Out and about

The gorse has started flowering on Alwyn Road, Bilton. Have you ever heard the saying: “When the gorse is out of bloom, kissing’s out of fashion”?

Find out more about gorse from the Wildlife Trust