Kenilworth Runners present a cheque for £3,000

The Kenilworth Centre received the very generous cheque of £3,000 from the Kenilworth Runners at the Centre Thursday evening.

Pictured are senior youth club members.

The Kenilworth Youth Centre Christmas Album 2011

Fantasctic Festive Songs from Jess Smith, Ava Hall, Rachel Fisher, Holly Gale, The Shanks, Sophie Burrell, Cath and Alice, Katie Hunter and Jess Watson.

All proceeds from the sale of this CD will go to theKenilworthCentre.com,  Buy Now at £5.00

Welcome to The Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre

Thanks for coming and enjoy your visit. Let's hope it's interesting for you, and that when you leave you have a great idea of who we are, what we do and what we are planning to achieve. Most of all, we hope for your support and your ideas for our future development.

Who are We? A non-profit making company limited by guarantee, with charitable status pending. In negotiation with the County Council to take over the full running of the Centre as an independent community-based organisation from early 2012.

Who supports us? by the Kenilworth Town Council, Community Forum, Kenilworth Churches, Kenilworth Round Table, Kenilworth Lions, Kenilworth Rotary, Kenilworth Runners and other many local community groups.

What do we do? Run and manage the Centre as a hub for community activities in Kenilworth, including the direct provision of things to do for young people such as junior club, senior club, Saturday cinema and holiday activities.

What are we are planning to achieve? Extend the use of the Centre to 7 days a week, full year usage, in response to the identified needs of all sections of the community and all ages. Achieve long-term financial sustainability as a charitable company serving the people of Kenilworth.

How can you help? Leave us your contact details so we can keep you in touch with events and developments at the Centre. Tell your friends and family about the Centre and encourage them to get in touch. Let us know if you would like to volunteer. There are lots of ways you could help: email us

Please come and talk to one of the Centre Management Committee members or staff or plan a visit – you’ll find us at email, 01926 855205, twitter @theKenCentre or just drop by.

The Cinema in the Upper Hall - everyone loves the Silver Screen

One of the many features of our lives, is the big screen. Abbey Cinema has been running for a few years for children.

Why not extend that to adults with some classics. Take a look at these slides with a mixture of old and new.

See our Recording Studio - Come and record with us

Youth and Community OPEN DAY Sat 29 October 2-6pm

Support the Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre on Saturday 29 October 2-6pm.

Bouncy Castle, live music, dancers and sporting activities, children's games and activities, XBOX Kinect demos, live Google Hangouts and broadcasts to the world. 

Record your own CD in our studio and much more...Refreshments available. A great day for all of the family. To find out more call 01926 855205 or see www.thekenilworthcentre.com

Andy Norman is now on Google Plus with The Kenilworth Centre

Social Media has never been out of the news over the summer. We recognise that to be effective in this digital age, theKenilworthCentre must be found online, on twitter and on cutting edge platforms like Google Plus.

Over the next few days, we will be giving full details of how everyone can support by volunteering, donating and sponsoring us.

BBC Tim Boswell to Andy Norman Kenilworth Youth Centre

WCC Cabinet will meet at Shire Hall on Thursday 16 June 2011 at 1.45pm. Item two on the agenda is Transforming Youth Services- Premises Review 2011: Response to Consultation and Recommendations for each Youth and Community Centre. 

The BBC ran this headline: Warwickshire plans to keep five youth centres out of 18. Hear what Andy Norman, from The Kenilworth Youth Centre had to say to BBC's Tim Boswell today (as Kenilworth is not one of the five).

NOTE: The audio was also uploaded to AudioBoo, but I've made this Audio Slide Video as it tells more of a story.

The Kenilworth Centre will host a BBC Live Radio HS2 Debate on Sun 12 June at 6pm

BBC Shane O'Connor will host

I am delighted to tell everyone that the BBC will be coming to The Kenilworth Centre to broadcast a Live High Speed Rail 2 Radio Debate on Sunday 12 June 2011 from 6-7pm. 

It's been wonderful for whatsinKenilworth.com to have been involved in the planning of this event showing how well the BBC work with local communities. Full event details and ticket availability: 

Be in the Audience: BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Live HS2 Debate and 

Join BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's HS2 debate (from BBC News)

The debate on the HS2 high speed rail plans will be chaired by breakfast show presenter Shane O'Connor.

The panel will be made up of those who are for and against the route, including rail experts, businesses, anti-HS2 groups, and MP Jeremy Wright. It will be held at the Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre between 1800-1900 hrs on Sunday, 12 June.

The debate will be broadcast live on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire and there will be updates via Twitter at: @bbccov_newsroom hashtag #BBCCWHS2.You can apply for free tickets via the BBC Tickets website: BBC - Be in the audience - BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Live HS2 Debate

The Kenilworth Centre Video is here

Youth Service Public Meeting on 18 April 2011 at 6.30pm

Please attend this meeting to show your support to The Kenilworth Centre (and all the other Youth Centres) under threat.

A series of public events to consult local people on the future shape of youth services in Warwickshire get underway. The events are part of a wider consultation asking for people’s views and comments. The consultation will run until May 16 and will give local people the chance to have their say on youth centres in their communities. 

A new document has been produced to outline the pressure Warwickshire County Council Is under to continue to work with young people in a climate of reducing financial resources. This is available at WCC Facing the Challenge The public events will be held around the county for people to have their say on the proposals contained in the document. For Warwick District: Kenilworth Youth Centre, Abbey Car Park, Kenilworth CV8 IQJ

Important News about The Kenilworth Centre

The announced cuts in the Warwickshire County Council Youth Service could lead to Kenilworth's Youth and Community Centre being closed. The current management committee believe that this would be a tremendous loss for the whole  Kenilworth community, especially its young people and users of the centre like the Spring Playgroup. We are not prepared to stand by and see that happen.

Youth Service Public Meeting on 18 April 2011 at 6.30pm

Public events to discuss future of youth services (Source: WCC News)
A series of public events to consult local people on the future shape of youth services in Warwickshire get underway next week.

The events are part of a wider consultation asking for people’s views and comments. The consultation will run until May 9 and will give local people the chance to have their say on youth centres in their communities.

Andy Norman talked to the BBC this morning - listen again now

The Kenilworth Weekly News features The Kenilworth Centre

Youth Centre News from the front page of The Times local newspaper

Abbey Cinema Showtime for Saturday 9 April 2011

Megamind 2010 (95 mins) - 3pm, £2 on the Door

The Kenilworth Centre in the The Coventry Telegraph

Three in four youth centres face the axe under cuts programme

THE SHOCKING depth of cuts to youth services could see three quarters of south Warwickshire’s youth centres axed by the county council. Three centres – Campion Youth Wing in Sydenham Drive, Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre in Abbey End, and Warwick Youth and Community Centre in Coten End – face the chop. Services for young people which are focused mainly on leisure activities are being targeted, with the council claiming these are not its responsibility. Management of these will either be transferred to the voluntary sector and local communities, or the buildings will be sold off. 

A public meeting is being held at Kenilworth Youth Centre, on Monday April 18 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, for people to have their say.

The Kenilworth Centre in the The Observer Newspaper

Andy, John and Richard are photographed outside The Centre as they prepare for an interview for The Observer

See tKc in Five New Dynamic Views for Readers

Five new ways to see this site

Timeslide, Snapshot, Sidebar, Mosaic and Flipcard

Which one do you like the best? Help Video

Abbey Cinema Showtime for Saturday 26 March 2011

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

3pm £2 on the door

Abbey Cinema FaceBook Page

www.wimpykid.com

The Kenilworth Centre is now on Foursquare

tKc have just opened up a Foursquare account.

Find us at on your Smartphone (or a pc) and see what we are up to and what's going on.

There are many check-ins nearby

A New Zumba Gold Class Starts 5 April 2011

NEW CLASS STARTING 5 APRIL 2011 Tuesdays 10-10.45am (Suitable for over 50’s) The lower impact, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired dance fitness-party that keeps you in the groove of life. Suitable for the older active adult or the true beginner to exercise. Contact me for more information and to book your place! Jayne Berry 07702187963 jber2121@gmail.com

About The Kenilworth Centre

The Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre relocated to Abbey End from Bertie Road in Autumn 2007. The brand new building offers a large Community and Youth Room, Outdoor Court (with basketball and football), Recording Studio and Computer Room. On the first floor, there is a large Hall (with fitted cinema projector) and two further all purpose Community Rooms. The Centre has a kitchen on each floor along with toilets facilities.

There are a whole range of things to do at The Centre including Art, Dance, Yoga, First Aid, Music and Drama classes. That is not forgetting the Spring Playgroup every weekday and of course the Youth Club in the evenings.

We are able to cater for Parties, Meetings and Conferences and new for 2011 are a host of services and opportunities for the local people for every age group. If you want to see The Centre - just come and visit or call Andy Norman (Centre Manager) on 01926 855205 (mob: 07920 071110) or email: enquiries@theKenilworthCentre.com

Abbey Cinema Showtime for Saturday 19 March 2011

Kung Fu Panda Saturday at 3pm

£2 on the door

In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda finds himself chosen as the Dragon Warrior despite the fact that he is obese and a complete novice at martial arts.

www.kungfupanda.com

Table Top Sale on Sunday 10 April 2011

The Kenilworth Centre will host an indoor Table Top Sale from 10am to 2pm on Sunday 10 April 2011. With more than 40 tables selling all you would expect and more,this sale is not to be missed.

So, it's indoor and under cover - so definately no chance of getting caught by the rain (like at the car boot sale). Parking is free at Abbey End on a Sunday. Tables cost £5 (remeber to fill it with all your own goods) Call 01926 855205 to book yours now.

Abbey Cinema for Saturday 12 March 2011

Alpha and Omega showing at 3pm - £2 on the door

Two young wolves at opposite ends of their pack's social order are thrown together into a foreign land and need each other to return home, but love complicates everything.

Cert U (88 mins)

What is Zumba? Can you help run a class at The Centre?

We have just found out about Zumba - have you? As you can see Zumba has become very popular in the last few months. If you want to run a class at The Centre, we would love to hear from you. For those of you who do not know, Zumba is a dance and fitness program invented by Alberto Perez in Colombia in the 1990s.

Meeting Room Hire at The Centre

Meeting Rooms can be booked for single meeting or for a regular weekly event. To enquire call 01926 855205 or email enquiries@theKenilworthCentre.com

From The Kenilworth Centre

From The Kenilworth Centre

How to Find Us

The Kenilworth Centre is located at Abbey End Car Park, so parking is never an issue.
See the Car Parks page at whatsinKenilworth.com (Pay and Display)


View Larger Map

The Online Diary of Hall and Room Bookings

Call 01926 855205 to enquire or email enquiries@theKenilworthCentre.com

For the live clickable Online Diary, scroll to the bottom of this page

How to Pay at The Kenilworth Centre

The Kenilworth Centre accepts Cash, Cheque, PayPal and Google Checkout

Get to know The Centre with these Floor Plans

The Kenilworth Centre is on two levels. To find your way around, here are the plans. There are toilets and a kitchen one each level.

Ground Floor

From The Kenilworth Centre

First Floor (There is a lift)

From The Kenilworth Centre

Yoga with Michelle - New Weekly Class at The Youth Centre

Yoga with Michelle - Starts at the Youth Centre Soon
For further details and to reserve a place, please contact Michelle Wingrove on 07890 739589 or email: michellewingrove@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Tuesday 1 March 2011 1 - 2.30pm (£7 per class)
Venue: Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre
Please come along for a free taster session -Mixed ability class. Beginners Most Welcome. Yoga has many benefits including improving flexibility and joint mobilisation, increased strength, relaxation, reduce stress and improve self-esteem

Young People Speak out to Save Their Youth Club in Kenilworth

Young people from Kenilworth took to the streets today in Abbey End and Talisman Square (Saturday 22 January) driving the campaign to save their youth club and collect signatures for a petition to Save their Youth Club. SIGN NOW - The Petition will end in five days time when all signatures will be collected and then submitted it to Warwickshire County Council on Monday 31 January at 12 noon.

On four evenings a week, the young people of Kenilworth head to the Youth Club in Abbey End.  They come to be with their friends in a safe place and discuss important issues to them with adults who offer them respect.  They also come to be involved in activities that help them make the right choices as they journey through adolescence.  And this week they came to plan how they can further express their dismay at the County Council’s proposal to end all funding to Youth Work across the county!

Mirie-Marie (aged 15), said she attends the club regularly to be with her friends.  She has also come to the centre to complete important school work and without this valuable resource she will have fewer places to turn to for guidance and support.  She and her friends were in Kenilworth on Saturday 22 January collecting signatures for a petition opposing the proposed cuts and have made posters to raise awareness locally.

Harry (15) agrees, 'If the youth club closed people would end up hanging around the streets and might end up committing crimes.  It’s crazy and will cost the community far more than what it would to keep the youth club open.'  Harry talks from experience - when he got into trouble with the police it was to the youth club he turned to for help. 

SIGN OUR PETITION The County Council’s proposal to end funding youth services will mean than clubs like this will not run.  They will be no funding for the professional staff team who mean so much to the young people.  The respect shown to the youth workers is evident throughout each evening and all young people talk about them with enthusiasm. 

Chloe, (14) said, 'The youth workers have helped me to change bad habits and learn more respectable behaviour.'  Rhys (16) agrees, 'We trust the youth workers.  They are open-minded and don’t judge us.  They are very important people.  They help us to feel positive about ourselves - they just help us!'

It is interesting to note that so much of what the young people say about their experience relates to the coalition’s Government’s new agenda of the The Big Society.  Ashley(18), has been coming to the youth club as a voluntary sports leader.  This experience has given him the opportunity to give something back to the community and will undoubtedly help him in his application to university.  Here is a resource where young people can truly experience the benefits of community cohesion.  Stephen (19), tells us that the young people have written to local councillors and invited them to the youth club on Wednesday 26 January, 'If they come to the club and have a personal experience of what it means to us it will mean more to them than just hearing about it from other people.' Read more about the Kenilworth Youth Centre

Warwickshire Youth Centres are Mapped

We all know about the cuts facing the Warwickshire Youth Service. The Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre is no doubt a focus for this town, but the issue of cuts is facing all Youth Centres. I will add News about each one as it comes in. 

In the meantime, I would like to know of as many independent websites and groups as possible that raise the Google Presence of each centre. It is my belief that by having a very clear online message, it can lead to opportunities for each centre to survive. This is post is just one small step as a piece in that puzzle. 

View Warwickshire Youth Centres in a full screen map

Deep Financial Cuts become Reality in Warwickshire and Coventry

Today, was the day when 13,000 petition signatures, a five minute speech from Vicky Fowler (former Youth Service member) and a further twenty five minute full council debate were not enough to stop the deep financial cuts becoming reality.

BBC Midlands Today iPlayer (report by Holly Lewis), the Spending Cuts are 3.52mins to 7.42mins in the programme), Warwickshire County Council to cut £33m and 1,800 jobs (BBC News) and Coventry City councillors approve budget cuts of £39m (BBC News).

Up to 1,800 jobs are to be cut at Warwickshire County Council after budget proposals were approved.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, the authority agreed to cut £33m from its services.

The cuts included £3.6m from the county's youth service, Connexions, which has put hundreds of jobs at risk.

About 100 people gathered outside Shire Hall in Warwick to protest against the cuts while 13,000 signed a petition objecting to the youth service cuts.

The Conservative-led council also agreed to cut £8m from adult social services spending.

The council's budget for 2009/10 was £784.4m. In November, the council predicted its expenditure for 2010/2011 would be £825.2m.

Cllr Alan Farnell, the leader of the council, said: "We all accept that the magnitude of the financial challenges requires large scale reform. And, as in recent years, Warwickshire is under-funded when compared to the average local authority.

'No other jobs'

"But regardless of recent movement in the funding landscape, our principles remain the same.

"We may not be able to do as much as we, or other parties, would like but we're doing as much as we can with the money we've got, and we must be realistic."

But protesters asked the council to consider other options to avoid the cuts to youth services.

Teresa Chakroft, a Warwickshire youth worker, said: "I can't lose my job, there's no other jobs.

"I'm a single parent of a one-year-old. If I lose this job what am I going to do?"

SOURCE: BBC News

The Teapot meets at The Youth Centre every Friday - Join Them for a Cuppa

For the last seventeen years, Mary Harrison and other members of The Teapot have been meeting every Friday at 10.30 am for one hour at Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre. Their aim is to provide a meeting place for the elder residents of Kenilworth to make some new friends and enjoy a cuppa. Once a month, members of The Teapot are taken my minibus to a mystery lunch in a Warwickshire pub. What is fascinating is the collection of fifteen notebooks that have catalogued each Friday meeting over the past seventeen years. There is a list of each member name, comments, details of tea, coffee, Bovril and maybe who won the weekly raffle.

But, founding member Mary is acutely aware about the Youth Service cuts and how badly funding is needed in this community to keep such a valuable group like The Teapot open and able to see it's 20th Anniversary in a few years time.

Mary said, 'We have always had a magnificently appointed staff since starting the group in 1994 in Bertie Road. I remember doing the washing up by hand and carrying cups and saucers while stepping over toddlers playing beneath. It is brilliant to see a community working together with such a wonderful team of helpers.' Mary is passionate about the Youth Centre that caters for every age, in her words, 'From two to a hundred.'

Mary Harrison and The Teapot need all the publicity they can get when such difficult financial times are facing us all. There are many other groups that use the Youth and Community Centre that have not been mentioned so in the past weeks. For example, some of this diverse range include: Whitemans Dance Group, St John Ambulance, Watermelon Dance Studio, Yoga and Pilates Classes, Over 50s Keep Fit, Karate and the React Kidz Academy.

There is also the opportunity to book a room at the KY&CC for children's parties, business meetings and just about anything you can think of. That's why the centre already has over 800 members.

Warwickshire Youth Service will submit 12,746 Petition Signatures!

Dear Supporter: Thank you, for your support. It’s been a mad few weeks, but this is only the start of our campaign to save Warwickshire County Council’s Youth Service. I have just closed the online petition at www.petition.co.uk however the e-petition on the Warwickshire County Council will remain open until Tuesday 1st February 2011.

There were 545 pages of paper petitions received. There were 531 comments left on the online petition.The number of signatures achieved since mid-November is broken down below: Online petition www.petition.co.uk  =   1473  Online petitionwww.warwickshire.gov.uk  =    998

545 paper petitions  =   8830  Total signatures received Unite Petition      =    11,301

This total does not include those petitions that were independently arranged i.e. Shipston, Lillington & Campion, Rugby Youth Service or Rugby Liberal Democrats.  These may be able to be aggregated into our total. Total signatures received independent petitions   =    1445

So therefore the grand total of signatures to be submitted to Warwickshire County Council at 12pm, Monday 31st January 2011 on the steps of Shire Hall will be: 12,746

These figures are subject to the confirmation of the County Council’s Democratic Services Manager.

The County Council meets on Tuesday 15th February from 10am at Shire Hall in Warwick to debate their budget proposals and based on the overwhelming support that this petition has generated I do hope on behalf of all those who supported the petition that they have a full debate about this outrageous proposal to “Cease the Youth Service”

There is also an indoor rally in Solihull on Saturday 12th February to support the work of youth Services nationwide further details from http://chooseyouth.org

Thank you again for your support, Chris Spreadbury

Vice Chair, CYWU/Unite Warwickshire Branch

Warwickshire Youth Service reaches 5,000 Signatures!

This news just in at 6.20pm on Wed 26 Jan 2011

Absolutely fabulous news the total now stands at 2310 signatures online with 2703 signatures received on paper. A Grand Total of 5,013. We have reached and exceeded the target, but there is still 3-4 days left to sign the petition. I know of between 1500-2000 signatures are still to be handed in. If you have any that I am not aware of please email mechris.spreadbury@ntlworld.com to arrange collection. 

I will announce at midnight on Sunday the total signatures on the online petition at petition.co.uk and the total signatures on paper, however the e-petition on the Warwickshire County Council Website will remain open until Tuesday 1st February. What a great achievement! (from Chris Spreadbury)

SIGN NOW The Petition needs 5,000 signatures by 31 January 2011 SIGN NOW

See all The Warwickshire Youth Service and Kenilworth Youth Centre Pages at wiK

Wik have just received this comment (12 Jan 1t 8.11am):

Now stands at 1247 across our two online petitions and 924 signatures on paper... a grand total of 2171. Still some way to go but we've got just under 3 weeks til the petition is to be handed in. I am aware of another 1000 signatures on paper petitions that are still to be returned.
Excellent progress, Chris Spreadbury

Successful Kenilworth Youth Projects Under Threat

www.radioabbey.com

Since becoming established in its new home in Abbey End the Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre has, under the direction of its youth leader Andy Norman, become well known for the innovative ways in which it has engaged young people.

SIGN the Petition to Save the Youth Centre SIGN NOW

Listen to Radio Abbey

For example two years ago Radio Abbey was established as a way that young people aged 14 – 19 could learn the numerous skills associated with preparing and broadcasting radio programmes whilst at the same time providing a service to other local teenagers via a broadband radio station. During the short period the radio station has been operating one of the station’s presenters has moved onto university and continued to present on the university radio station whilst another has secured work experience at a local commercial station.

More recently the Abbey Cinema has been established to reintroduce the Saturday cinema that many of the older generation will remember. In its six months of operation the cinema has built up to a point where audiences of 60 plus are a regular event.

Abbey Cinema 22 Jan

Both these projects along with other activities for the youth of Kenilworth are now under threat as proposals are before the County Council to withdraw all Youth Service funding over the course of the next three years with the implication that Youth services in Kenilworth would close along with all the others across the county.

Andy Norman Kenilworth’s Youth Leader said ‘We have worked very hard to overcome young people’s concerns that there is nothing for them to do in their spare time by putting on an ever increasing variety of activities. It would be a great shame if all this ended and the young people were forced back onto the streets to make their own entertainment’

The Management Committee of the Youth and Community centre are urging local residents to help preserve the services on offer to young people at the centre by signing the petition opposing the County Council proposals to cease funding the Youth service.  The petition is available on line and in the reception areas of all the Kenilworth Schools, the Youth and Community Centre and at various shops and businesses throughout the town.

For more information contact Andy Norman on 07920 071110 or 01926 855205 or email andynorman@warwickshire.gov.uk

Abbey Cinema Showtime for Saturday 15 January 2011

Arthur and the Invisibles
Saturday 15 Jan 2011 3pm
(£2 on the door)
Abbey Cinema Facebook Page
SIGN NOW Save the Youth Centre

Spring Playgroup Celebrates Anniversary – but will it be the last one?

SIGN NOW The Petition needs 5,000 signatures by 31 January 2011 SIGN NOW

Kenilworth’s Spring Playgroup has been running at it’s new home in the Youth and Community Centre for nearly two years.  During this time, they have been able to invest in new equipment, take on more staff and offer a far wider variety of activities for the children.  For example, the children use the sports court for outdoor play every day. There is a lot to celebrate. Numbers have risen – 90 children attend the Playgroup each week, including four pairs of twins! There is also a long waiting list. Kenilworth parents  have shown how much they appreciate having  a playgroup located in the centre of the town with up-to-date facilities and caring staff. 

The manager Jackie Cross, said, 'The Centre is the ideal place for our Playgroup.  We can’t imagine anywhere else with the same environment for the children and the same fantastic back-up we get from the Centre’s management team.'

The Centre is the ideal place for our Playgroup

While the Playgroup has flourished since moving to the Centre, the future of the Centre itself has suddenly come under threat. The County Council wants to save money by slashing the budget for Youth Services all over the county. The implications are that all Youth Centres would be closed. Kenilworth Centre, like the others, relies on county council funding for it’s running costs and overheads and if it is forced to close, all the community groups who use it would become homeless.

The children continue to play and learn together happily, but parents and staff are extremely worried. They are hoping enough people will sign the Petition to force the County Cabinet to think again. To find out more, contact Mrs Jackie Cross (Manager of the Playgroup) email: cross_jacquline@yahoo.co.uk or call 01926  864443. The Spring Playgroup has 36 places per session. It is open mornings and afternoons, and has recently started a Toddler Group on Monday mornings. It is a not-for-profit Registered charity.