Rugby First

25/07/2025

New on the high street in Rugby: Optical People 👓 🕶️

With a huge choice of frames, lenses and a quick turnaround time, Optical People is not your usual independent opticians.

The innovative Opticians & Frame Studio in Rugby offers tailored-made Eye Exams to each individual. Worried about some aspect of your eye health? They'll explain everything clearly and put your mind at rest. You'll also find a great range of frames to suit every budget, all displayed in individual themed sections so you have a fantastic experience choosing your perfect pair.

NHS patients welcome, with free eye tests and glasses vouchers for all eligible.

📍 Now open—come check them out!

2 Market Place, Rugby CV21 3DY

24/07/2025

🇬🇧 Enjoy a FREE family day out this VJ Day! 🇬🇧

Celebrate VJ Day with a spectacular Picnic in the Park at Caldecott Park, Rugby!

📅 Friday 15th August 2025
🕐 11AM - 3PM
📍 Caldecott Park, Rugby

What's on:
🎵 Live music at the bandstand
🎪 Children's activities & entertainment
🏏 Vintage lawn games for all ages
🔍 Family-friendly scavenger hunt
🥪 Bring your own picnic & blanket!

This is a completely FREE event perfect for families and anyone wanting to enjoy a beautiful day in the park while remembering this important moment in history.

Pack your picnic basket, grab your blanket, and join your community for an unforgettable day of remembrance, fun, and togetherness!

For more info visit: www.therugbytown.co.uk

24/07/2025

🎨 MADE AT THE ALEX - NOW ON! 🎨

Exclusive exhibition starts TODAY! Five incredible artists, one amazing space at Art at the Alex in Rugby town centre.

✨ What: Made at the Alex exhibition
📅 When: Today-Sunday 27th July, 11am-4pm
🎯 What to expect: Peek inside studios, meet the artists, discover great talents

Come see what Steve Davies, Chris Pegler, John Thompson, Belinda & Jenny Ball have been creating.

☕ Coffee & cakes available
⏰ ENDS SUNDAY - don't miss out!

Our next and shortest and most exclusive exhibition starts today (11am-4pm). Its called Made at the Alex. In 2023 it was a very small space to show work in and work by Steve Davies and Chris Pegler only. No other studios. John Thompson joined us as a resident in Oct 2024, Belinda in February 2025 and Jenny Ball joined earlier this month. So NOW WE ARE FIVE. Come and see what we make, peek inside studios, ask the artists. Great talents, lovely stuff. Cakes and coffee available. ENDS Sunday 27th July so do be quick.

24/07/2025

🏖️ RUGBY'S BEACH IS BACK! 🏖️ The Town Centre Beach returns to Rugby Market Place from 12-14 August. FREE family fun!

Perfect for families looking for summer fun right in the heart of our town centre.

Here's what's waiting for you:
🏖️ Real sand for building sandcastles
🪑 Comfy deck chairs for relaxing
🪣 Buckets and spades provided
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for all the family

No booking required - just turn up and enjoy three days of beachside bliss in Rugby!

See you at Market Place! 📍

The Rugby Town
Rugby Borough Council

23/07/2025

Discover Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Presented by Rugby Yarn Bombers, has taken over the town centre — one stitch at a time 🧵 Come into town and discover its hidden treasures.

📍 Pick up your FREE trail map from Wild and Free Rugby at 6 Bank Street.

Rugby Wonderland 2025 is on until the 9th of August.

23/07/2025

FREE ENTRY with a valid ticket...Caldecott Park Outdoor Cinema 29-31 July

Take a look at the films showing next week at the Outdoor Cinema in Rugby town centre...👀🍿🎬 The Rugby Town

12:30 - Paddington in Peru | Moana | Monsters Inc.
15:00 - A Minecraft Movie | Back To The Future | Wicked
18:00 - Grease | The Fall Guy | 18:30 - The Lost Boys

There a some ticket's left grab them whilst you can. Book now 👇

https://tinyurl.com/2hy6j9wc

21/07/2025

📚 COMING THIS OCTOBER 📚 Rugby Literary Festival 2025.
Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th October
Rugby Town Centre

After last year's amazing debut, the Rugby Literary Festival returns for 2025 with an even bigger programme that'll have bookworms and word-lovers buzzing with excitement!

🌟 This year's theme: The Lost Chapter 🌟

What's in store?

- Storytelling sessions
- Author meet & greets
- Creative writing workshops
- Panel discussions
- Book fairs & competitions
- Street art & dressed shop windows
- Family Day on Sunday (sponsored by Tritax Big Box!)

Whether you're a seasoned scribbler or just love getting lost in a good book, there's something magical waiting for you. Plus, the Sunday Family Day features FREE workshops, story trails, and brilliant giveaways for the little ones!

From seasoned writers to curious kids - everyone's invited to this literary adventure!

Want to get involved? We're looking for local businesses to host events and dress their windows. Get in touch!

21/07/2025

☀️ Summer holidays in full swing and looking for something special for your little ones or young people in your family? 🎨

We know how tricky the summer break can be when routines change. That's why we're helping to promote the **Inclusive Spaces** group sessions being run by Enhancing Futures. Designed with neurodivergent young people in mind, they offer a chance to stay connected, have fun, and maintain some lovely structure during the holidays.

The first sessions start this Thursday with **T-shirt Decorating** - such a brilliant creative activity where young people can express themselves.

🎨 **Thursday 24th July** - Ages 4-11 (1:30-2:30pm) - £5 **SOLD OUT**
🎨 **Friday 25th July** - Ages 11-16 (1:00-2:00pm) - £5

There's still time to register...
👉 Book here: https://forms.office.com/e/8CgaVZsXTt

And there's so much more to come this summer! From Lego building adventures to pebble art, slime making, and even a Minecraft movie afternoon - there are activities running right through until the end of August.

Every session is designed to be a safe, welcoming space where young people can be themselves, make friends, and try new things at their own pace.

Full summer programme:
🧱 **Lego Building** (28th July & 31st July)
🎨 **Pebble Beach Art** (4th Aug & 8th Aug)
🧪 **Slime & Sensory Bottles** (18th Aug & 22nd Aug)
🎬 **Minecraft Movie Afternoon** (28th Aug & 29th Aug)

21/07/2025

Come and explore the wonder of the trail and see how Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has taken over the town centre — one stitch at a time 🧵

📍Pick up your FREE trail map from Wild and Free Rugby at 6 Bank Street.

Presented by Rugby Yarn Bombers, Rugby Wonderland 2025 is on until the 9th of August.

Come into town and discover its hidden treasures.

21/07/2025

🍽️ SAVE THE DATE 🍽️ Saturday 20th September | 11AM-5PM
Rugby Town Centre, Regent Street

The Rugby Autumn Food and Drink Festival is coming and it's going to be absolutely DELICIOUS! 🤤

✨ What's cooking?

- 50+ incredible food & drink stalls
- Live chef demos in our pop-up kitchen
- Gourmet burgers to artisan cheeses
- Exotic spices to heavenly desserts

The festival will also feature an array of family-friendly entertainment. From face painting to mini rides, along with engaging street entertainment and music.

The best part? It's completely FREE! 🙌

Whether you're a proper foodie or just fancy a brilliant day out with the family, this festival has something to tempt everyone.

As always, we would like to extend a massive thank you to Rugby Borough Council, Rugby Baptist Church and St Andrew’s Church for their support of the event.

See you there!

19/07/2025

Are you a food & drink business in Rugby or the surrounding area? 🥘🍹

This is YOUR chance to shine! ✨

Join us and showcase what makes our local food scene amazing at the 2025 Autumn Food & Drink Festival this September.

📅 Saturday 20th September | 11AM-5PM
📍 Regent Street, Rugby Town Centre

The event is always popular and provides a great opportunity for local businesses and start-ups to showcase the excellent food offer we have here in Rugby and the surrounding area. If you are interested in having a stall at the festival, get in touch – there are a variety of offers and discounts available!

We are also keen to hear from any local businesses in terms of sponsorship, promotions or offers that could run in advance or on the day to take advantage of the additional event footfall.

The festival will also feature an array of family-friendly entertainment. From face painting to mini rides, along with engaging street entertainment and music - there will be something for everyone.

If you are interested in having a stall at the event, email emma@ucltd.co.uk or for festival promotions, offers or sponsorship, email linda@rugbyfirst.org.

As always, we would like to extend a massive thank you to Rugby Borough Council, Rugby Baptist Church and St Andrew’s Church for their support of the event.