News in Atherstone

Cost-of-living concerns saw a sevenfold increase in seeking help around requests for Universal Credit from an Atherstone-based national support agency last year.

But more than two-thirds of the people still wanted assistance "in person" from North Warwickshire Citizens Advice when they visited its Welcome Street offices between April and December.

Atherstone has its first confirmed case of coronavirus in an outbreak connected to one of the town's medical practices , Nub News has been told.

One patient is being treated for the COVID-19 virus and a second from Atherstone Surgery is awaiting results.

Leaders of a touring scheme supporting a network of voluntary organisations in Atherstone and district have made a new plea for cash to keep "bringing the community together" through putting on value-for-money entertainment at non-mainstream venues.

Live & Local works with voluntary groups and professional artists to create new audiences for the performing arts.

Parking charges look set to be phased in over the next 18 months as the "price to pay" for freeing Atherstone from its traffic gridlock nightmare.

But for traffic crusader Harry Blackburn getting government endorsement to decriminalise certain parking in the town centre will be the granting of a seven-year wish.

Atherstone's MP Craig Tracey will this afternoon cast off his North East footballing roots to throw his "full weight" behind his adopted town club's most important game in their history.

The Durham-born parliamentarian, who as a youngster played in midfield for Northern Football League teams Chester-le-Street and Shildon, admits to being a "til I die" Newcastle United fan.

Residents across Atherstone and surrounding villagers have been offered a "Martin Lewis moment" later this month – in a chance to save hundreds of pounds off their gas and electricity bills.

In a similar vein to the TV shows presented by the MoneySavingExpert.com founder, householders can 'Bring Your Bill' to an event being held at the town's library and information centre.

Local government bosses have urged the public to use "reliable sources of information" after dismissing false reports of a confirmed coronavirus case linked to a nursery on Atherstone's borders.

Warwickshire County Council chief executive Monica Fogarty stepped in to quell social media meltdown following a Facebook posting on an alleged outbreak.

No stone is being left unturned in a council's campaign to encourage Atherstone and district householders to join a 'green bin' revolution rather than having to get rid of their garden waste at a former quarry site across the borough boundary.

This is the view that will greet potentially thousands of townsfolk who don't want to have their garden waste collected and instead face making weekly forays in the spring, summer and autumn months to the Judkins recycling centre on Tuttle Hill, Nuneaton.

Organisations and volunteers in Atherstone and district are facing a "significantly different" picture of financial support in the next 12 months.

Groups and dozens of individuals have been told to expect changes in the future to requests for assistance through North Warwickshire Borough Council's annual grants scheme.

Atherstone Nub News has already reached the parts others couldn't while registering some important landmarks in its short history.

What a welcome – literally – we've had since our arrival last month.