Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) is working in partnership with HS2 Ltd to build the new high-speed railway in your area. BBV will be holding a drop in event at Kenilworth Community Centre on Tuesday 27th September between 2pm and 5pm.
At this drop-in event, you will be able to:

• talk to your local BBV community engagement team about any concerns you may have
• see maps and plans of the project near you; and
  
• ask questions and explore the proposals in more detail. 

 
If you have a question about HS2 or their works, please contact the HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Warwick District continues to mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ahead of her State Funeral on Monday, with a number of community gatherings and opportunities to pay tribute to Her Majesty taking place across the district.
Book of Condolence  
The Queen’s Book of Condolence remains open to visitors in the Royal Pump Rooms on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. The book will be closed on Monday 19 September for the State Funeral, reopening for one more day on Tuesday 20 September. At 5pm on this day, the Chair of Warwick District Council, Councillor Mini Kaur Mangat, will close the book on behalf of the residents of the district. The book will then be passed to officers for binding and submission to the County Records Office, and the Chair will inform His Majesty the King of its location.
 
Floral tributes  Those who wish to lay flowers or plants to mark Her Majesty’s death can visit the following official locations:

• Kenilworth – Abbey Fields, on the area adjacent to the car park and St Nicholas Church
• Warwick – Market Square, in front of Shire Hall
• Leamington Spa – Jephson Gardens around the Davies Clocktower.
• Whitnash - Acre Close, adjacent to the Civic Centre and Library

We would ask anyone laying floral tributes to remove any plastic/cellophane wrappings and anything that is non-biodegradable. The flowers can then be composted, and any mementoes, cards or drawings will be collected and retained by Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum for display at a future date.

Funeral and Remembrance Services
Councillors and officers from Warwick District Council will be joining the nation to observe a one minute’s silence at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the Queen’s funeral to mourn and reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, as part of a shared national moment of reflection.  
Services of commemoration and thanksgiving for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II taking place on Sunday 18 September include:

• Collegiate Church of St Mary’s Warwick ,2.30pm
• St Mark’s Church, Leamington Spa, 4pm
• St Nicholas Church, Kenilworth 6.30pm

Please check with individual places of worship for details of other remembrance services.
The following venues will be open to the public to watch the broadcast of the funeral on Monday 19 September.

• Vue Cinema, Leamington Spa with free admission and a bottle of water for those wishing to attend.
• Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End open from 10.30am on Monday with coffee, tea and cake available.
• Kenilworth Sporting Ground, Gypsy Lane, Kenilworth
• Whitnash Sports & Social Club, open from 10am

 
Service changes and closures
The Council Offices, Everyone Active Leisure Centres, The Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum and Spa Centre will be closed on Monday 19 September. Essential services including waste and recycling collections, street cleansing and public toilets and those to support the vulnerable will continue, though there will be a pause in operations while the funeral service is taking place.

Warwick Market
Following the cancellation last week Warwick Market will take place on Saturday 17 September from 9am to 3pm with traders and visitors observing a two-minute silence at 12 noon to pause and reflect on the life of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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Further updates on the district’s arrangements for this period are available on the Warwick District Council website.
Ends

Dozens of buildings in our district, not normally accessible to the public are set to open their doors for Heritage Open Days.

This year’s event, which is part of England’s biggest heritage festival will take place from 9 to 18 September with 37 local venues taking part.  
Amongst the highlights of this year’s event are a guided walk around Warwick’s ‘secret spaces’, a literary tour of Leamington and an opportunity to visit the archives of the County Records Office. Many of the district’s churches will be open with volunteers on hand to show visitors around their fascinating interiors designed by the leading architects and artists of the day.

Other popular local attractions including Packwood House, Baddesley Clinton House, the Guy’s Cliffe Centre and Walled Garden, Bagot’s Castle and Hill Close Gardens will all be offering free admission at limited times during the festival.

​A booklet listing all the venues taking part and opening times is available from libraries and visitor information centres. Further information is available on the Heritage Open Days and Warwick District Council websites.