Leamington-based community choir Sing it Loud was co-founded by Seb Farrall and Rosie Sayers in 2014. The devastating news of Seb’s death in a cycling accident on 30th March 2025 - his 32nd birthday - stunned the members of Sing it Loud where he was Musical Director, as it did the many other choirs, orchestras and music groups that he had established and nurtured in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. Seb had devoted himself to spreading the joy of community music-making with an unshakeable belief in the musical potential of everyone.

A year on, the choir is joining forces with Seb’s other orchestras, choirs and ensembles for a very special one-off concert on 3rd May 2026 at Warwick Arts Centre, to celebrate Seb and to raise money for The Music Man Project - an award-winning charity which provides music education for people with learning disabilities.

I went to a rehearsal and met Rosie, Fran Farrall (Seb’s wife), and event producer Jo Thomas to learn about the choir, Seb himself, and what the concert means to them and the many people touched by Seb’s talent, love and enthusiasm.

Tickets are still available to take part in this extraordinary occasion.

https://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/qGT-seb-farrall-a-celebration/

https://www.singitloud.co.uk/

https://themusicmanproject.com/

Co-located in Bedford Street with the Library of Things, The Leamington Eco Hub is a brilliant resource if you’re interested in local environmental or ecology projects - and it also offers facilities such as meeting spaces if you have a project of your own!

I met Directors Sam and Judith to find out what’s going on locally (a lot it turns out) and how you can get plugged-in.

https://leamington-eco-hub.co.uk/

Email: leamecohub@posteo.uk

Whether you’re an established musician, just starting out and wanting to try your first instrument or just love listening to live or recorded music, chances are Presto Music has something for you.

I met Nichola Robey who started managing their Leamington store in 2025. She’s passionate about helping customers find their best vibe, and has a talented musical team to draw on.

Offering live recitals, instrument rental and repair, class and practice rooms and a world-class streaming and download service, if you have an ounce of music in your soul, then this episode is for you.

https://www.prestomusic.com/

Many of the best conversations and connections happen over good food. That simple truth combined with a passion for fresh food cooked from first principles inspired Raj Darji to quit the corporate life and start Scratch Cook Social in 2023.

Based in Leamington, he now provides restaurant-quality food for private and public gatherings, either through the venues’ own kitchens or from his own food truck. His goal is to surprise, delight and foster connection.

I encountered Raj’s brilliant cooking at the first Mazon Interiors dinner party - his inventive dishes inspired by his North Indian heritage exactly achieved those goals. And so I was fascinated to talk with him about his life, his food, and how you can get a taste of Scratch Cook for yourself.

Website: http://www.scratchcook.social/

Mazon Dinner Parties: https://www.mazoninteriors.co.uk/scratch-cook-dinner-party/

Wander around Leamington and there’s a good chance that you’ll encounter one of the extraordinary murals that adorn many of our buildings. Together they are curated as the Leamington Mural Festival, a year-round celebration of this vibrant street art.

I met festival curator Tim Robottom - who is also a professional street artist himself - and wasted no time in tapping his expertise on the process of creating street art, his recommendations on the best art to explore, how to get involved in this urban cultural phenomenon and, of course, his take on Banksy.

Tim also leads walking tours of the festival collection on the first Sunday of every month from April to October.

Tour tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leamington-history-group-walks-brink-street-art-walk-of-leamington-tickets-1983948627752/

Info: https://merciamurals.org/leamingtonmuralfestival/

If you need special tools for a DIY project, are planning an event and need some extra catering equipment, are looking for some new hobbies to try out or are just keen to avoid buying and storing things that you only need occasionally – then the Library of Things is worth a look.

Founded by Maurice Herson, the library which is co-located with the Eco Hub in Bedford Street has a growing and diverse inventory of items for hire, and also has potential opportunities for volunteers who would like to get involved.

Website: https://leamlot.myturn.com/library/

Email: libraryofthings@makeleamington.co.uk

Anyone with a taste for quality artisanal chocolate will probably know Cenu Cacao in Regent Street; the passion project of Rosemary Ndukuba, who turned her own love of chocolate into a Leamington treasure. In this episode she explains how she got started, which movie is a constant source of inspiration for her, her own favourite chocolates and how her recently opened café in Lillington is heralding a new chapter of parties, workshops and wellbeing.

https://cenucacao.co.uk/

Tucked behind a discreet doorway on Bedford Street is a luxurious beauty and wellbeing centre with more than 25 years of expertise and ten tranquil treatment rooms. I stepped inside for my very first facial treatment before sitting down with Managing Director Gurdip Chatha and founder Amy Selby-Hammond. We talked about how beauty therapies have evolved over the years, why more men are now discovering the benefits, and the best place to start if you’re completely new to the world of beauty and wellbeing treatments.

https://www.esquebeauty.com/