John Bray

Royal Leamington Spa

Social Media Editor, BBC Midlands Today at BBC

Owen and Molly's dad. Eden's grandpa. Photographer. Make films for BBC News online and @bbcmtd.

Articles

VETERANS AFFAIRS: Be thankful this Memorial Day

1 week ago | clintonherald.com | John Bray

As Memorial Day weekend is a few short weeks away, have you started planning your extended weekend? If you have, and it is full of barbecue, friends, and family, hopefully, you have planned to attend a Memorial Day events that helps us preserve the memory of the heroes that perished while defending our country.
New sails installed on much-loved Warwickshire windmill

1 month ago | bbc.com | John Bray

John BrayBBC News, Chesterton WindmillThe wait is finally over for lovers of a hugely popular windmill which has spent four years without any sails. Chesterton Windmill has sat on a hill in Warwickshire for nearly 400 years, but its sails were removed in 2021 after cracks appeared in the wood. Now a specialist conservation team have finished the installation of new sails after spending five days at the site, near Royal Leamington Spa.
Sail installation to start at much-loved Chesterton Windmill

2 months ago | bbc.com | John Bray

Sail installation to start on much-loved windmillJohn BrayBBCChesterton Windmill as it looks now. The wooden sails were removed in 2021 on safety grounds after cracks were spottedOne of the best-loved and most-photographed monuments in the West Midlands is about to be fully restored. Over the next week, specialist engineers are expected to hoist new sails back on to Chesterton Windmill in Warwickshire.
Sail installation to start on much-loved windmill

2 months ago | yahoo.com | John Bray

John Bray - BBC News, CavershamWed, March 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM UTC1 min readChesterton Windmill as it looks now. The wooden sails were removed in 2021 on safety grounds after cracks were spotted [BBC]One of the best-loved and most-photographed monuments in the West Midlands is about to be fully restored. Over the next week, specialist engineers are expected to hoist new sails back on to Chesterton Windmill in Warwickshire.
Daughters join 'Blind Dave' for run farewell

2 months ago | bbc.com | John Bray

Daughters join 'Blind Dave' for marathon farewellJohn BrayBBCReady for the start line - 'Blind Dave' and his daughtersA blind Black Country fundraiser, who has completed the London Marathon 16 times, is training hard for his last-ever run around the streets of the capital. And West Bromwich's "Blind Dave" Heeley will be joined for the marathon finale by his three daughters, who will all be running in their first.
VETERANS AFFAIRS: Benefits will not be cut

2 months ago | clintonherald.com | John Bray

Although there have been a lot of changes and/or rumored changes within the VA, I want to take a moment to relay that the Secretary of the VA has ensured that veterans’ benefits will not be cut or adjusted. That also goes for medical benefits. The Clinton County VA assistance and work we put towards the veterans of Clinton County will also not be impacted by anything happening at the federal level because we are an entity of the county, not federal employees.
Birmingham festival paints city in a different light

2 months ago | bbc.com | John Bray

Illuminated artworks shine a light on BirminghamJohn BrayBBCFlux is a kinetic light installation from Collectif Scale made of rotating lights in Snow Hill SquareVisitors to Birmingham will be greeted by a city of blinding light as the dark winter nights are illuminated by pop-up artworks. The four-night Birmingham Light Festival launched on Wednesday evening with 11 artworks dotted around the city centre. Alongside the illuminated artworks, more than 50 events are running across Birmingham.
Illuminated artworks shine a light on Birmingham

2 months ago | yahoo.com | John Bray

Flux is a kinetic light installation from Collectif Scale made of rotating lights in Snow Hill Square [BBC]Visitors to Birmingham will be greeted by a city of blinding light as the dark winter nights are illuminated by pop-up artworks. The four-night Birmingham Light Festival launched on Wednesday evening with 11 artworks dotted around the city centre. Alongside the illuminated artworks, more than 50 events are running across Birmingham.
Illuminated artworks shine a light on Birmingham

2 months ago | aol.com | John Bray

Visitors to Birmingham will be greeted by a city of blinding light as the dark winter nights are illuminated by pop-up artworks. The four-night Birmingham Light Festival launched on Wednesday evening with 11 artworks dotted around the city centre. Alongside the illuminated artworks, more than 50 events are running across Birmingham. These include a night-time kayak paddle along the city centre canals and a 5km run around all the installations.
Coventry Cathedral

2 months ago | bbc.com | John Bray

Romance fills the air as 80 couples celebrate loveJohn BrayBBC News, Coventry CathedralThe layout of Coventry Cathedral was transformed for the eventIn the run-up to the event, BBC CWR heard from several couples with maybe unconventional love stories - from a "lunch out ploy proposal" to a "romantic postie" acting out a scene from Love ActuallyDozens of people confirmed their love for each other on a special Valentine's Day event at a city cathedral.