Every year we put together a review of the year for Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth.
But things have been a bit different for everyone in 2020. So we thought it was best to reflect on the things that have made us smile.
Here's to a happy 2021!
1. There's a T-Rex in my garden!
This was a story that not only brought a smile to the locals but to viewers across the country. When we ran the story in September about Adrian Shaw getting a 3.5 metre T-Rex delivered by crane into his back garden in Grange Road, Lillington, as a surprise for his wife, Deborah, newspapers from all over the country picked it up. But the surprise was not what he expected. Adrian said: "The dog woke her up at 4am to take him out into the garden for a wee. "Whilst I slept soundly she led the dog downstairs, opened the back door for him and then put the powerful garden security light on. "She recounted the experience to me in what can only be described as 'colourful terms' this morning, it didn't sound very pleasant." Photo: Picture submitted
2. The takeaway that gave so much to our community
This year has paved the way for heroes in the community and Baabzi Miah and his team at Baabzi Takeaway in Warwick are no exception. Throughout lockdown and after Baabzi and the team went above and beyond by delivering meals to Warwick and Birmingham Children’s Hospitals, donating meals to Helping Hands in Leamington and funding and supplying PPE for key workers. As well as this they embarked on a £10,000 fundraising challenge for the NHS. They managed to achieve their huge target through food nights, a charity bike ride and a skydive. All this work was not only charity-driven but it was also a personal journey too. Baabzi started it all with the aim of doing something in memory of his baby son Adam and to make him proud. The Courier and Weekly News has followed Baabzi and the team every step of the way. Taking on challenges and raising £10,000 while doing their bit for the community is no small feat and their hard work and determination has not gone unnoticed. In December Baabzi and the team scooped the 'Loc Photo: Picture submitted
3. The miracle of volunteers
When we started to realise the full force of the pandemic back in the spring, we knew that many vulnerable people would need help. And that is when the support groups appeared - the COVID-19 Support Group Kenilworth and the Warwick and Leamington COVID-19 Mutual Aid Group. Both have done - and are still doing - amazing work across our community, from helping to deliver shopping and prescriptions, to visiting and talking to people who just need someone to chat to. In the dark days of the pandemic, these groups, run by volunteers, were the shining lights in our community. Photo: Picture submitted
4. Vaccine gives us hope for 2021
History was made on December 8 when a 90-year-old grandmother from Coventry became the first patient in the world to receive the new Pfizer Covid-19 jab following its clinical approval. Thousands of people received the jab during clinical trials, but Margaret Keenan is the first patient to have it administered. At 6.31am Margaret, known to friends and family as Maggie, was given the life-saving jab by nurse May Parsons at University Hospital, Coventry. Since then, the vaccine continues to be rolled out across the area, giving us all hope that 2021 will be a much better year. Photo: University Hospital, Coventry