Since setting up The Central School of Massage in 2009, Kathryn Ellis has helped over 1,000 people to learn massage skills, gain qualifications or build businesses offering holistic and sports therapies. Her enthusiasm for the power of these treatment methods and the opportunity they bring for people to develop income is unabated as she explains her methods, which help people to transform from novice to professional practitioner in just a few months.

If you enjoy working with people and have an interest in learning a new skills, and potentially starting a business then this episode is for you..

https://www.centralschoolmassage.com/

What's it like to sleep on the streets? Lucky for most of us we don't have the experience to be able to answer that question.

And yet, to really comprehend, even for one night, what it is to be homeless there's no substitute for actually sleeping out, and that's why local charity Helping Hands Community Project organises its annual BIG Sleep Out at All Saints' Church, now in its 11th year.

For this episode, two of its service users Colin and Antonio share their personal perspectives on their own homeless experiences and charity workers Sophie, Jacqui and Kev explain the power of the event and how Helping Hands helps homeless people in Leamington and Warwickshire to rebuild their lives.

https://helpinghandscharity.org.uk/

Back again after a brilliant first campaign in October 2025, Cancer Research UK is again turning the town centre pink on 3-11 October. You can wear a splash of pink, visit the participating businesses, take part in the entertainments, make a donation or join other revellers at one of their parties.

Deborah and Ann from the organising team explain all the juicy details, how you can get still get involved as a business and how to join in all the action when you’re in town.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRUKLeamington

Email: crukleamingtonandwarwick@gmail.com

Leamington is becoming a little bit of Poland for the weekend of 25-27 September. The brainchild of Helen Beecroft of Leamington Music and Dawid Kozlowski of the Polish Centre, the festival features five concerts, two world-premieres, an illustrated talk, a visit from the Polish Ambassador and even some Polish food to try. Who wouldn’t be a little bit excited by that prospect!

Helen and David share the mic to highlight what makes this a very special first for Leamington and warmly invite you to come along and share in the celebrations.

https://www.leamingtonmusic.org/focus-on-poland-festival-weekend/

There's rather more to the Rage Rooms than you might first think, as I discovered when I met founder Lucy Bee and her operations manager Fi.

Yes of course you can book-in for a smash-and-go session, a team-build, birthday (or even divorce) party. But there is also a serious therapeutic method behind the madness. Lucy explains that as a trained therapist specialising in anger and conflict, she wanted to create a safe space to help people process and gain release from their rage.

So whether you're just looking for a bit of a stress-buster, a party with a difference, or have some heavier things to deal with, the Rage Rooms might have the perfect answer for you.

https://ragerooms-leamingtonspa.co.uk/

The Leamington Food & Drink Festival is back for 2026, running on 12th and 13th September in Pump Room Gardens. And no-one knows this landmark event in Leamington’s calendar like Alison Shaw, who has been its organiser for the last 16 years!

Who better then to explain the cuisines, the drinks, the activities, the music and how to get the very best out of this delicious weekend without busting a gut!

Like only a true master-chef can, she condenses the best of the entire weekend into this mouthwatering 10 minute reduction. Lick your lips and have a listen!

https://leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk/information/

Fancy sampling some of Leamington’s brilliant independent restaurants while raising money for two great causes?

A Taste of Leamington is a one-night dine-around experience that takes you on a culinary tour of the town, with proceeds supporting Parkinson’s UK and Warwickshire Search and Rescue.

In this episode, Linda John from Leamington Rotary Club explains how the evening works, how to book, and gives us a tantalising hint of some of the restaurants taking part.

We also meet Tom and Tess from Warwickshire Search and Rescue, who reveal what goes on behind the scenes of this volunteer-led organisation, how they help people across Warwickshire, and why fundraising like this makes such a difference.

📅 Tuesday 15 September 2026 🎟️ Ticket sales close at 4pm on 10 September

Leamington Rotary: https://leamingtonrotary.co.uk/

Warwickshire Search & Rescue: https://warksar.org.uk/

Parkinson’s UK: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

Ticket Booking Link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/royalleamingtonsparotaryclub/2213203

Photo: Aubrey Allen

The area goes by several names: Victoria Business Centre, Neilston St, or just “under the arches”. But what everyone agrees is that this collection of bars, breweries, music stages, eateries and the space that they share is one of the most interesting and enjoyable parts of Leamington for an evening out, or to while-away a lazy weekend.

And from time to time, this adored collection of local micro-businesses pool their efforts to host a street party second to none, which boasts food, drink, music and atmosphere and that south-town magic that draws both the regulars and a host of newcomers to this unique and vibrant part of town.

“Off the Rails” is scheduled once again for this Sunday 30th August, 1pm-10pm and to give us their personal heads-up on what’s occurring, four of the arch-entrepreneurs behind it share their plans for this 11th incarnation of this Leamington institution.

Settle down and tune into Carl from Southbound Café-Bar, Ben from Windmill Hill Brewery, James from Lucky Shiba Sake Bar and Nathan from Brubl as they give us their personal tour. Also participating but beyond the reach of the Life in Leam mic are Cam’s Kitchen, Ginger Elephant, Hive and Warwickshire Gin Co. OtR11 will be a day to remember. Enjoy (responsibly)!