September Community Forum – Come and Play!
The focus topic for this month’s community forum is play areas. Deborah Sharp, Project Officer from North Warwickshire Borough Council will be in attendance to answer your queries.
Grand Union Canal Transfer – launch of public consultation
Grand Union Canal Transfer – launch of public consultation
We would like to inform you of the launch of our first public consultation for the Grand Union Canal Transfer. This is a vital new scheme to move water from the Midlands to the Southeast. It is needed to secure future drinking water supplies. The scheme will also help to protect the environment, ensure future water availability for canal navigation, and unlock investment in our communities.
Consulting with our communities is a central part of the planning process and we encourage people to share their thoughts and opinions on this ambitious and transformative project. These comments will help us understand the local area, and any potential impacts our proposals may have on the community and the environment.
The consultation will launch at midday 11 September and run until 25 October.
What is the Grand Union Canal Transfer
The scheme is a joint water transfer project between two water companies, Severn Trent and Affinity Water, and the charity Canal & River Trust (‘the Trust’) who care for 2000 miles of canals and navigable rivers in England and Wales.
It will use a combination of new pipelines, water treatment plants and other infrastructure, as well as the canals themselves to transfer water from one region to another.
To help people identify the main areas of the scheme, we have split the project into three key sections:
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Northern section – transferring water from a proposed new Advanced Water Treatment Plant at the existing Minworth Wastewater Recycling Centre, to the Coventry Canal at Atherstone via underground pipeline
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Canal section – using the existing canal network to transfer water by building some new infrastructure such as pumping stations and gravity bypasses, alongside adapting some of the existing structures
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Southern section – transferring water into a proposed water treatment works and water storage, before it is transferred by underground pipeline to Affinity Water’s customers
You can find out all about the proposals and where we might need new infrastructure on our website: www.guctransfer.co.uk
The consultation
Local communities and interested parties can take part in our consultation in the following ways:
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Online: complete and submit a feedback form on our website: www.guctransfer.co.uk/haveyoursay
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Email: email your feedback to
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Freepost: post a hard copy feedback form or a written response to Freepost GRAND UNION CANAL TRANSFER (no stamp required).
We’ll be holding a series of consultation events and pop-up events at various locations which will provide opportunities to talk to us and find out more:
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Date
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Type
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Location
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Saturday 21 September
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Consultation event
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Atherstone
Owen Street Community Arts Centre, Owen Street, Atherstone CV9 1DG
11am-3pm
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Monday 23 September
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Consultation event
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Slapton
Elizabeth Griffin Memorial Hall, Church Rd, Leighton Buzzard LU7 9BX
4pm-8pm
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Tuesday 24 September
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Consultation event
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Eaton Bray
Eaton Bray Methodist Church, Totternhoe Rd, Eaton Bray, Dunstable LU6 2BD
4pm-8pm
|
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Wednesday 25 September
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Consultation event
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Chaul End
Lyons Community Centre, 33a Mallard Cres, Caddington, Luton LU1 4FG
4pm-8pm |
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Friday 27 September
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Consultation event
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Curdworth
Curdworth Village Hall, 70 Coleshill Rd, Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield B76 9HH
4pm-8pm |
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Saturday 28 September
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Consultation event
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Daventry
Daventry Community Centre, Ashby Rd, Daventry NN11 0QE
11am-3pm |
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Saturday 28
September
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Pop-up
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Fenny Stratford Junction
Opposite side of the canal from the Red Lion, 11 Lock View Ln, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK1 1BY 9.30am-12.30pm
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Saturday 28
September
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Pop-up
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Grove Lock
Opposite side of the canal from the Grove Lock, Grove, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 0QU 2.30pm-5.30pm |
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Wednesday 2 October
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Consultation event
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Hurley
Hurley Village, 41 Knowle Hill, Hurley, Atherstone CV9 2JD 4pm-8pm
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Thursday 3
October
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Pop-up
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Stoke Bruerne Lock Bypass
Near the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, Bridge Rd, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE 10.30pm-13.30pm |
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Friday 4
October
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Pop-up
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Braunston Junction
Near Union Canal Carriers, Dark Ln, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HJ 10.30am-1.30pm |
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Friday 4
October
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Consultation event
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Leighton Buzzard
Astral Park Community Centre, Johnson Dr, Leighton Buzzard LU7 4AY
4pm-8pm
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Saturday 5
October
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Consultation event
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Great Brickhill
Great Brickhill Community Centre, Rotten Row, Great Brickhill, Milton Keynes MK17 9BA
11pm-3pm |
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Saturday 5
October
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Pop-up
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Hawkesbury Junction
Near the Hawkesbury Junction Pump House, opposite side of the canal from The Greyhound, Sutton Stop, Coventry CV6 6DF 9.30am-12.30pm
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Saturday 5
October
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Pop-up
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Hillmorton Locks
Opposite side of the canal from the Canalchef Cafe, Badseys Wharf, The Locks, Hillmorton, Rugby CV21 4PP 2.30pm-5.30pm
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Get in touch
If you or a local resident have a question about the scheme, if you need hardcopy documents or have any other queries, please do get in contact at any time by emailing , or calling us on 0121 270 5920.
We look forward to sharing the outcome of the consultations and updates on the project with you and the communities you represent as the scheme progresses.
Kind regards
Grand Union Canal Transfer engagement team
Atherstone Adders Hockey Club
Atherstone Hockey Club, New Season Launch at TQEA, Atherstone Saturday, September 7th
I was very pleased to be invited to meet members of the Atherstone Adders Hockey Club and to see the younger members being trained and put through their paces by the Club’s own Coaches and Young Leaders. It was very encouraging to see so many youngsters getting involved in the sport and having the opportunity to engage in a sporting, social activity, with the support of their parents, families and friends, who were in attendance to encourage them.
It was very interesting to hear from senior members of the Club about the development of young players both in terms of sporting achievement and the social confidence which playing hockey provides. The Club has a very highly-respected profile in the local community and is keen to encourage local schools and its pupils to get involved in the sport. Having been a hockey player myself, I was very impressed to see how much the children enjoyed themselves, even the under-5s. At such a young age there was some very skilful ball-control on display. It was very pleasing to hear how junior players progress through the Club, learning the game, training to coach younger players, and some going on to train and qualify as umpires. There are a significant number of players who having gone away to college or university return to the club after completing their courses.
I would like to thank the Club for inviting me to see what a valuable contribution it is making and has made over many years to the health and well-being of our local community and the respect it has earned as a sporting organisation, raising the profile of Atherstone, both locally and in the wider community.
Cllr Sara Bishop – Mayor of Atherstone
Motor Show 2024
Atherstone Car Show, Sunday, September 8th What a fantastic event this was. Many thanks and congratulations to the Atherstone Car Show Committee, its many volunteers, sponsors and supporters for putting on this wonderful annual event. I was very proud and privileged as Mayor to be invited, together with my Consort, husband Alan, to open this year’s show. Having been picked up outside The Red Lion Hotel in Long Street by an American Fire Chief’s SUV, we were escorted, together with a motorcade of American Police cars and Emergency vehicles, with accompanying sirens and flashing beacons, by “Mr. Bean” in his Mini, to The Market Square. We were welcomed by the Treasurer of The Motor Show Committee, former Mayor of the town, Mark “Jodda” Jordan, and formally invited to open the show.
Despite the early downpour of rain there were plenty of spectators and exhibitors present to see us welcome our guest celebrity, “Mr. Bean”, (a very convincing version of the famous Rowan Atkinson character) together with his own classic vehicle. After the formalities, we had the opportunity to look around at the fantastic display of vehicles, chat to owners, exhibitors and visitors, as well as pose for photos with some of the support services in attendance. As soon as the rain stopped and the sun appeared, the crowds were flocking into town to see the array of vehicles; classic and vintage cars, motorcycles and scooters, campervans, farm and utility vehicles etc on display. There were colouring competitions for the children and a very well-sponsored raffle with a host of motor-related prizes. Many thanks to those businesses who kindly donated so generously.
I’m sure everyone who attended will have had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. As Mayor, I am pleased that the Town Council is able to contribute to support this free, family-friendly, annual event in the town which attracts and welcomes visitors from far and wide.
Cllr Sara Bishop – Mayor of Atherstone.
Cllr Sara Bishop Mayor of Atherstone
Horse Racing with a Twist
POSTPONED: Unfortunately due to wet weather forecast this Sunday, this event has been postponed until further notice.
Get ready for an event with a twist! Atherstone Town Council is proud to bring you an unforgettable day of fun, racing, and community spirit—all in support of the Atherstone Dickens Event 2024!
On Sunday 22nd September from 1pm the Market Square will transform into a racecourse like no other, featuring 8 horses, 8 jockeys, and 8 thrilling races! Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just in it for fun, this is the event for you!
Bring the whole family! Kids’ races kick off at 1:30pm, followed by the adults and teams. It’s only £5 per jockey to enter, and a shiny trophy awaits the overall champion!
So, mark your calendars—Sunday 22nd September, Atherstone Market Square. Come for the races, stay for the fun, and help us raise funds for a spectacular Dickens Event in 2024! See you there!
“A race with a twist, for a cause that counts!”
Mayoral Visit to TQEA Year 7 Celebrations
The Town Mayor was delighted to attend the Year 7 Celebration Event at The Queen Elizabeth Academy this week.
Town Mayor Cllr, Sara Bishop: ‘I would like to congratulate all the Year 7 students at TQEA who received awards at Tuesday’s Celebration Event at TQEA. It was a great pleasure to be there and to be invited to present awards. It was lovely to see so many parents and carers there too. Well done to all staff and students for such a successful year.’
Town Mayor & Consort & Head teacher of TQEA 16.07.24
Mayoral Visit to Ruby’s Yard Paddle Sports Event
Dear Atherstone Town Council
We would like on behalf of RUBY S YARD CIC and OMEGA OUTDOOR ADVENTURES to thank the Atherstone Town Council and their Mayor Cllr Sara Bishop and her consort Alan Bishop for coming along to this event. Feedback from the event has been brilliant in terms of fun , enjoyment and wish to try paddle sports again along the Coventry canal which is a real asset for the town . The presence of the Mayor helped to make this open day event a very special occasion for both the paddlers [ most of whom had never tried paddling before and the majority of whom were children /young people with special needs and adults with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.
Jacky Gordon
RUBYS YARD CIC
Visit to Ruby’s Yard 23.6.24
Ruby’s Yard Visit 23.6.24
Paddlers Setting Off
Paddlers Prepare
