We were delighted to welcome a group of Travel Trade professionals from Canada earlier this month who were undertaking a whistle-stop tour of the West Midlands. The group was hosted by the Destination Management organisation Visit Coventry.
The group spent an enjoyable afternoon trying out the beers at Twisted Barrel and checking out street art and shops in the Market Hall.
A full review of their trip can be found here: Spirit of the West Midlands – Travel CourierTravel Courier
We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our small but perfectly formed team! No two days are ever the same at FarGo Village so we need people who are flexible, quick thinking and passionate about supporting small businesses and the creative arts.
We’re looking for an individual to join the FarGo team to help us on weekends with our busy exciting events schedule. This is a great opportunity if you have a passion for events, and want to see how everything looks behind the scenes, but also monitor everything on the day!
Job Description – Duty Managers 2023
An award-winning Coventry-born fashion designer has launched a new and bigger shop in the city’s Creative Quarter.
The acclaimed Ashley Raynor and her popular childrenswear brand Wear Milo’s has moved from a small unit at FarGo Village to larger premises at the haven for independent creative businesses.
Wear Milo’s specialises in childrenswear, from infants all the way up to children aged 12, and has now also added adult sizes and a variety of home furnishings to its impressive portfolio of bright and funky clothing ranges tailored to the younger members of families.
When making a trip to Wear Milo’s, visitors are thrown into an enchanted forest setting, with the newest tenants at FarGo Village looking to fit in with its innovative and independent business neighbours by creating a unique and fun shopping space that people of all ages can enjoy.
Visitors step into a multi-use space that also gives an insight into the working studio behind the garments, with customers seeing the journey their purchase goes on, right from the various materials being cut and sewing machines pulling it all together up to when it enters their hands at the till point.
The business is the brainchild of Ashley Raynor, a local girl who has made an impression both here in the UK and across the Atlantic, having had her fashion collections exhibited at New York Fashion Week and in Vogue Magazine– supplemented by pop-up stands showcasing her work at John Lewis department stores across the UK.
Ashley, who was named in the global top 20 emerging designers to watch by SwatchOn in 2020, is also a Director of Coventry Fashion Hub and wants to help the next generation looking to get into the industry to make their mark in the city, instead of looking to London for career opportunities.
Ashley, Owner of Wear Milo’s, said: “I’m really pleased to have brought Wear Milo’s back to Coventry and to FarGo Village in particular.
“The opening of our new base gives us a great platform to expand our operations in the region, collaborate with exciting local creators and designers on future collections and ultimately build on the experiences we’ve had with leading UK clothing retailers to gain even greater access to the high street.
“We’re enjoying seeing people in person again and can’t wait to welcome more Coventrians and other members of the public through our doors. Looking ahead, we’ve got some exciting ideas lined up and look forward to sharing them with everyone in due course.”
Jo Truslove, Project Marketing Manager at Complex Development Projects, said: “Ashley and Wear Milo’s were with us during the early days of our then up-and-coming complex – basing themselves out of a shipping container originally!
“We’re delighted to have welcomed them back to FarGo, this time in one of our largest unit spaces, which reflects the growth of the business in recent times.”
To discover more about Wear Milo’s and purchase items online, visit www.wearmilos.com.
Keep up to date with the journey of Ashley and Wear Milo’s by following them on Facebook and Instagram.
Welcome to Green Rooms Market at FarGo Village! We’re really excited to welcome them for their very first event in the Midlands! Green Rooms Market bring together all things botanical, so you can immerse yourself in plant shopping heaven at their regular markets and pop up events in London and beyond. Featuring plant-packed stalls, plant advice, kids craft and interactive workshops- their events are a treat for plant novices and green fingered pros.
We’ve thought really carefully about the best way to run this market to keep everyone safe, for our traders, staff, and of course, you! Read on to find out what to expect and the top 10 things you can do to support fiercely independent in a safe way this weekend.
We’re limiting numbers inside the market hall, to no more than 60 at any one time, so you’ll have plenty of space to move about and socially distance properly. Please maintain a distance of 1.5m from anyone not in your household or bubble. Please remember you can only socialise with up to 6 people from outside your household indoors, so you might need to limit how many people you can wander the market with.
Because we’ve got a limit on numbers inside the Market Hall, if we’re full when you arrive, you may be asked to queue for a few minutes until someone leaves. Please be patient, and queue 1.5m from people outside of your household/ bubble – we’ll have a designated spot for you to wait, and some lovely staff to direct you.
We will need to collect Track and trace information from every person entering the Market Hall. To make this process smoother and so you can enter faster, we recommend you download the NHS track and trace app before you get to FarGo, so you can scan our QR code at the gates or the Market Hall entrance, and then you just need to show your screen to the door staff instead of signing in manually! This is a legal requirement so you will need to register if you’d like to shop.
We’ve got even more of our fab team than normal at this market, to make sure we can keep track of everything, and keep you guys safe. There will be someone on the door taking Track and Trace info, and stewarding to monitor numbers and to make sure we can answer questions, guide you round our one way system, and make sure everyone stays safe inside the venue.
So we can avoid overcrowding and problems with social distancing, we’ll have a one way system at this event. You will enter via the Market Hall entrance between Gourmet Food Kitchen and Choc N Roll, and exit through the shutter next to Pop Bang Colour. Inside, arrows on the floor will guide you around the market. You can loop back round for another look still, but make sure you’re doing this where the arrows indicate!
We will be asking everyone, including staff and traders, to always wear face masks inside the venue, unless exempt. This is necessary to enter the venue- please remember to put it on before you enter, so our staff don’t need to ask you!
We’ve got hand sanitizer stations at both the entrance and the exit of the market, for you to use. We also have sinks for handwashing too, so if hand sanitizer is getting to your skin a bit, we’ve got plan b ready!
All our traders have got measures in place to keep their stalls safe and clean for you, but this means you will need to ask before touching products and may be asked to use hand sanitizer first. Please listen to our lovely traders, they’ve got your safety in mind!
Where possible, please pay by card, as this is much more hygienic than cash, and helps our traders keep you safe. Some traders may be operating card only over the weekend, so please bear this in mind and come with your card at the ready!
There will be plenty of signage about on the day, and people to help out, so you can shop safe in the knowledge that we’re doing everything we can to keep you safe. Our cleaners will be regularly cleaning touch points to keep the venue hygienic. If you see something that you think we could be doing better, please let us know!
We can’t wait to see you back in the village, exploring our very own urban jungle, permanent shops, and grabbing a spot of lunch at the newly opened Factory (we’d definitely recommend it!) so we’ll see you on this weekend
Saturday 5th 10am-5pm and Sunday 6th 11am-4pm!
Vintage In The Village is back. Welcome a fabulous day of all things vintage this May, for one day only, we want to bring some true vintage treasures, as well as some real bargains! Independent retailers, creatives and artists have everything ready for you starting from vintage clothing & accessories to homeware, vintage cars and cookies.
We’ve thought really carefully about the best way to run this market to keep everyone safe, for our traders, staff, and of course, you! Read on to find out what to expect and the top 10 things you can do to support fiercely independent in a safe way this weekend.
We’re limiting numbers inside the market hall, to no more than 60 at any one time, so you’ll have plenty of space to move about and socially distance properly. Please maintain a distance of 1.5m from anyone not in your household or bubble. Please remember you cannot socialise inside with anyone outside of your household or bubble.
Because we’ve got a limit on numbers inside the Market Hall, if we’re full when you arrive, you may be asked to queue for a few minutes until someone leaves. Please be patient, and queue 1.5m from people outside of your household/ bubble – we’ll have a designated spot for you to wait, and some lovely staff to direct you.
We will need to collect Track and trace information from every person entering the Market Hall. To make this process smoother and so you can enter faster, we recommend you download the NHS track and trace app before you get to FarGo, so you can scan our QR code at the gates or the Market Hall entrance, and then you just need to show your screen to the door staff instead of signing in manually! This is a legal requirement so you will need to register if you’d like to shop.
We’ve got even more of our fab team than normal at this market, to make sure we can keep track of everything, and keep you guys safe. There will be someone on the door taking Track and Trace info, someone on the exit counting you out, and another person floating around to make sure we can answer questions, guide you round our one way system, and make sure everyone stays safe inside the venue.
So we can avoid overcrowding and problems with social distancing, we’ll have a one way system at this event. You will enter via the Market Hall entrance between Gourmet Food Kitchen and Choc N Roll, and exit through the shutter next to Pop Bang Colour. Inside, arrows on the floor will guide you around the market. You can loop back round for another look still, but make sure you’re doing this where the arrows indicate!
We will be asking everyone, including staff and traders, to always wear face masks inside the venue, unless exempt. This is necessary to enter the venue- please remember to put it on before you enter, so our staff don’t need to ask you!
We’ve got hand sanitizer stations at both the entrance and the exit of the market, for you to use. We also have sinks for handwashing too, so if hand sanitizer is getting to your skin a bit, we’ve got plan b ready!
If you’re not entirely comfortable joining the market in person this weekend, you can still support our fiercely independent makers by shopping online at our online marketplace! Check out makers profiles, see product previews and follow the links to order online and enjoy the market from the saftey of your home.
All our traders have got measures in place to keep their stalls safe and clean for you, but this means you will need to ask before touching products and may be asked to use hand sanitizer first. Please listen to our lovely traders, they’ve got your safety in mind!
Where possible, please pay by card, as this is much more hygienic than cash, and helps our traders keep you safe. Some traders may be operating card only over the weekend, so please bear this in mind and come with your card at the ready!
There will be plenty of signage about on the day, and people to help out, so you can shop safe in the knowledge that we’re doing everything we can to keep you safe. Our cleaners will be regualrly cleaning touch points to kee the venue hygenic. If you see something that you think we could be doing better, please let us know! We can’t wait to see you back in the village, exploring our indie makers, permanent shops, and maybe grabbing a spot of lunch (we’d definitely recommend it!) so we’ll see you on this weekend, Saturday 24th 11am-5pm and Sunday 25th 11am-4pm!
The “Community Growth Fund” provides a small grant and in-kind support to local community groups and organisations seeking to develop and deliver events, which increase participation in arts and culture.
FarGo Village has been granted funding by Arts Council England as
part of the “Cultural Recovery Fund” which means we are able to
support a small programme of community-based events.
We welcome applications from local community groups /organisations, operating in the broad field of arts and culture as their core focus. The organisation will be responsible to implement an event at FarGo Village that will benefit their audience between January and March 2021. This could be an art exhibition, live music event, community conference etc.
To find more information about the fund, please click HERE
THE BEST CHRISTMAS FILMS, SEASONAL CULT CLASSICS AND FESTIVE FAMILY FAVOURITES THIS DECEMBER AT THE WINTER SCREENS CHRISTMAS CINEMA
Winter Screens is the new indoor cinema experience from the team at Summer Screens. During the colder, darker months, Winter Screens will be converting some spectacular spaces into amazing movie theatres, to offer guests the definitive popup cinema experience, and first up, it’s Christmas.
This December Winter Screens will have a season of classic festive movies, as the company converts two fantastic venues at Fargo Village in Coventry, and St Lawrence’s Church in Reading into the Winter Screens Christmas Cinema!
Guests can snuggle down on giant bean bags with blankets, tuck into mince pies and mulled wine, and enjoy all of their favourite festive films on the giant retro screen in the Winter Screens cinema lounge, complete with Christmas trees and a virtual log fire.
The films will be shown in full 2k HD with state-of-the-art audio and include all the best Christmas movies, seasonal cult classics and festive family favourites such as Home Alone, Elf, The Polar Express, Gremlins, The Holiday, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle On 34th Street, Love Actually and Die Hard.
Ticket Types & Prices
Tickets start at £9.50 children aged 4-17 and £15.00 for adults. Seating is a choice of bean bag wedges or director chairs. For those wanting the premium Winter Screens, there is the option of the giant bean bag chairs which are located in a prime position in the center of the cinema, which come complete with a complimentary drink, popcorn, and either chocolate or a mince pie. Premium tickets are £19.50 for children and £25.00 for adults.
Venue Address
The Box, Fargo Village, Coventry, CV1 5ED
| Date | Time | Film | Certificate
|
| 13/12/2019 | 4.30pm | It’s a Wonderful Life | U |
| 13/12/2019 | 8.30pm | Home Alone | PG |
| 14/12/2019 | 12.30pm | The Muppets Christmas Carol | U |
| 14/12/2019 | 4.30pm | The Polar Express | U |
| 14/12/2019 | 8.30pm | Elf | PG |
| 15/12/2019 | 12.30pm | Home Alone | PG |
| 15/12/2019 | 4.30pm | Gremlins | 12A |
| 15/12/2019 | 8.30pm | Love Actually | 15 |
To book tickets and for more information www.winterscreens.co.uk
Find us on Facebook and Instagram: @winterscreens
On Friday 12 July 2019, Members of Wildcard Strength and Conditioning, a CrossFit gym based at FarGo Creative Village in Coventry, will take part in The Longest Day. From 6pm Friday to 6pm Saturday, Wildcard Athletes will complete a gruelling workout every hour, on the hour, for 24 hours to raise money for The Not Forgotten Association.
The 24 individual workouts are likely to involve a mixture of Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, running, rowing, cycling, functional bodybuilding and core conditioning that will test Member’s strength, speed, endurance and agility.
CrossFit workouts are never easy and are often very high intensity. Adding lack of sleep and muscle fatigue into the mix, these Athletes will be tested to their physical limits to raise money for this important cause.
Alex Burrell and James Przybek, owners of Wildcard, have both served as Royal Marines and have selected The Not Forgotten Association as it is a charity very close to their hearts. Alex has been a recipient of support from The Not Forgotten Association after being medically discharged from the Royal Marines.
Alex says ‘My final deployment was pretty tough and will be something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. We were a 5-man team deployed on a rescue vessel to the sea between Turkey and Greece just as the “Migrant Crisis” started.
We saw some of the best and worst in humanity over that time and I have been left with lasting scars mentally after some of the horrific things we had to deal with.’
Through social activities and challenges, The Not Forgotten Association combat the causes of isolation and loneliness; a blight that adversely affects so many vulnerable wounded, injured and sick service personnel and disabled members of the Armed Forces community.
They help to restore confidence, enhance wellbeing, boost morale and improve the chances of service men and women, providing fun, laughter and friendship to those who have served their country and now suffer.
Brigadier James Stopford CBE, Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten says ‘This challenge is going to be tough, but it’s an example to all of how no one should be defined or limited by their injury or illness. The Wildcard Longest Day Challenge epitomises what The Not Forgotten is all about – finding comradeship through challenge and we wish Alex and the team all the very best.’
James, co-owner of Wildcard, says ‘We have 30 of our committed Members taking part in the fundraiser including Students, Teachers, Doctors and members of the UK City of Culture 2021 team. It will be an extremely difficult challenge, with 24 different workouts and very little opportunity to grab a few minutes sleep. After three tours of Afghanistan with a high level of sleep deprivation, I could not be more proud of the Wildcard members embracing this challenge.’
A fundraising page has been set up to support Alex, James and the Members of Wildcard https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WildcardLongestDay. Although The Longest Day will be an extreme test of fitness and stamina for established Members, Wildcard’s doors are open to those will all levels of fitness, with workouts scaled to suit each Member individually during small, coached, classes seven days a week.
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For more information on WildCard Strength and Conditioning visit http://wildcardsc.com/
For more information on The Not Forgotten Association visit https://www.nfassociation.org/
James Przybek is available for interview, contact jamesprzybek@gmail.com or call 07925 903 470
Let me launch right in by writing about some of the amazing small businesses that I met at FarGo Village last weekend. FarGo hosted their bi-annual vegan fair which is always a massive favourite of mine – I make a point of going there to support the tenants and FarGo themselves as much as possible.
What I LOVED about Sunny Soul Up was their ethos – 100% recycled clothing which helped to save turtles. Literally, what’s not to love? These t-shirts are made up of 40% recycled plastic bottles, and 60% organic cotton. What fascinated me is that each shirt contained between 2 and 12 bottles and they were SO SOFT.
The lady from Ethical and Unique told me started crafting with plastics years ago, and then realised what a mistake she’d made! She immediately started changing to completely natural, ethical and cruelty free sources to create her beautiful necklaces and jewellery. Ethical and Unique jewellery reminded me of buried coins from Roman times – they were all so traditionally created. Some even reminded me of warriors’ shields!
Robbie at Cow Eggs was ever so sweet, and SO talented! I absolutely loved her watercolour renditions of pets – they had so much character, I just had to buy a card and a notebook! I might have to get a portrait done of my hamster…
Sophie (of Sophie Vujko Illustrations) was ever so lovely! She started off illustrating and then moved onto supporting animal rights within her up-cycled denim jacket designs – they were so sweet and all had vegan slogans on… I especially loved the pig in a teacup that said “Too Sweet to Eat!”
Honourable mentions include Sophie Hyam who put on a fabulous vegan food demonstration for us; Tropic who helped me find a moisturiser to suit my skin that was sustainable and smelt amazing and Chaaboo who make beautiful handmade tea scented soaps that also smelt incredible – I had to buy a Chai Tea one!
The choice of food available at FarGo’s Vegan Fair was so vast that I ended up having a double-lunch plus tons more sweet things! I couldn’t help but want to try everything! It made me happy to know that it was guilt-free dining!
The first stall I’d like to shout about is LoveKimchi – they had some of the BEST Korean food I’ve ever tasted (all pictured above). I took one mouthful of their kimchi ramen and I HAD to buy myself some! The flavours were incredible and I loved this couple’s passion for their food!
There were SO many choices for sweet treats at the vegan fair – some of which you’d be so surprised to know are vegan! The cakes were so well presented, there were donuts the size of honeydew melons which I bought from The Doughnut Pod, and crepes made by the wonderfully named Bloods and Crepes lads who were great fun to chat with!
Let’s not forget the permanent tenants of FarGo – these guys are there all week and are the beating heart of FarGo itself. Many of them offer vegan options all year round so there’s no excuse for not visiting any day of the week if you’re looking for vegan choices.
Overall FarGo’s Vegan festival had a really nice balance of food to eat there, food to take away and trinkets and goodies to buy for yourself or as gifts. It gave small businesses a much-needed voice and face-to-face presence and there were so many passionate people there with the same ethos – cruelty free and ethical living!
Written by Amy Turner of WritingIntoTheEther.com in association with CovBloggers
Read the blog on Amy’s website here: https://www.writingintotheether.com/its-easy-being-green-fargo-village-vegan-festival/
