TEACHERS SET TO BOYCOTT SATS

SCORES of headteachers and teachers in Warwickshire are preparing to boycott this year’s primary school SATs.

A ballot by both the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has ruled staff will boycott the exam, that tests pupils aged 10 or 11 in
English and maths.

Max Hyde, Warwickshire representative of the NUT, argues the tests make teachers stray from the curriculum so they can “drill and kill” what’s needed to pass SATs.

“We have done some research into the effects of SATs on children and league tables because we want to provide the best argument against them,” she said.

“These tests are simple pen and paper exercises that have been given too much of a prominence.

“Teachers skew the curriculum so they can prepare pupils for these exams.

“In America they call it ‘drill and kill’ where students are only taught what they need to pass their tests.

“And league tables don’t help schools either, we know wealthier schools will be at the top, and the more deprived lower.

“We’re not against assessing children, we know this needs to be done, but in these exams there’s so much emphasis on English and maths.

“We want to be able to teach more about arts and culture. I’ve spoken to some headteachers who think it would be wonderful if we could do that for a week.”

As a form of protest, teachers will not be opening the envelopes containing this year’s SATs papers, for the exams taking place from Monday May 10 to Thursday May 13.

It is up to schools on how they will boycott the exams. Action being taken could include giving students past SATs papers, or using internal exam papers.

Paul Wyllie, headteacher of Radford Semele Primary School, in School Lane, Leamington, is strongly opposed to the league tables SATs provide.

The branch secretary for Warwickshire’s NAHT added: “We are not opposed to testing; in fact given the option, most heads would retain the SATs test, but mark it internally and use the information alongside teacher assessments.

“What we are totally opposed to is the way the results are used to create ill-informed, naive judgements on schools.

“The league tables, for example, are great for sport, but we are not football teams competing against each other.

“We are the opposite, we are a school competing with ourselves to do the best we can for our children, and co-operating with others to achieve this aim.

“Because of the ‘high stakes’ associated with these tests our profession is extremely concerned about the narrowing of the curriculum in Year 6, as only English and maths is pushed, and children feeling pressure.

“We want to be able to administer tests at the end of KS2 in the same way KS1 and KS3 tests are, where tests only inform the teacher’s assessment that is based on their knowledge of a child over a year.”

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said: “We have written to schools to remind them administration of the SATs tests are a statutory duty, and headteachers and governors should ensure their school meets the required assessment, and reporting arrangements.

“However, we do acknowledge the concerns of teachers around the marking of previous tests.

“As an authority we will continue to work closely with schools so tests are administered properly, and we will also work with policy makers to ensure any national tests are helpful to schools, parents, and pupils.”

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk

'TREASURE' FOUND IN WARWICKSHIRE

A SILVER brooch dating back around seven centuries found in Warwickshire, has been deemed ‘treasure.’

It was found by Chris Matthews in the Wolverton area, as he was out with a metal detector on land belonging to David Mann.

An inquest was held last Thursday at Leamington Town Hall where the item, a gilt brooch that is 2.5cm across, was confirmed as official treasure.

This means the item, which dates back to the 13th or 14th century, belongs to the Crown.

The item is yet to be valued, but is expected to fetch hundreds of pounds.

Sara Wear, of the Warwickshire Museum Service, has confirmed that the Market Hall venue in
Warwick, is interested in displaying the piece.

She said: “The usual process is if something is found that appears to be more than 300 years’ old it is deemed to be treasure.

“It goes down to the British Museum where they have a special coroner’s report, and see how much more they can find out about the item.

“They judge how important the piece is, then local museums are asked if they are interested in acquiring it.

“The brooch has gone to the Treasure Evaluation Committee in London that is made up of experts and auctioneers that are familiar with the antiques market and put a full market value on the object.

“Once the land owner and museum have agreed the price, the museum can then begin to raise funds to obtain the item.

“The money is usually given as a reward to the person who found it, and to the landowner which is normally a 50 per cent split.”

PARENTS PROTEST OUTSIDE SHIRE HALL AGAINST NURSERY CLOSURES

PARENTS were banging drums and shouting chants to make sure their plea to save Warwickshire nursery schools did not go unheeded.

Around 50 parents gathered outside Shire Hall last Thursday and were chanting ‘we don’t want provision, we want education,’ and ‘education is a right, not a privilege’ as councillors arrived for a cabinet meeting.

It follows an announcement from Warwickshire County Council that they will start a consultation of six county nursery schools in mid-May to see how they are being run.

Council bosses say they are following guidelines from a government white paper, asking governors to examine the leadership and teaching in their schools, and consider alternatives to current practice.

But parents from Kenilworth Nursery School, in Bertie Road, fear their school could be under threat because it has no permanent headteacher, and want the council to withdraw the plans.

And joining them are parents from Whitnash Nursery School and Warwick Nursery School.

Sarah Griffiths, of Woodville Road, Warwick, said: “I have a four-year-old child that goes to Warwick Nursery School, and I think the consultation should take into account successful schools.

“They (the council) shouldn’t be cutting schools that are unsuccessful, instead they should be working harder to bring the schools up to the standards of the others.

“We have teachers, a curriculum and provisions that work well, and we want to keep that.”

Three parents also had a private meeting with Councillor Izzi Seccombe, portfolio holder for children, young people, and families, to ask her why the council was going ahead with consultations.

Louise Hindle, a parent and governor at Kenilworth Nursery School, who met Cllr Seccombe, said: “We wanted to know what the criteria is for a centre of excellence, because that is what Kenilworth Nursery School is, but it’s meaning isn’t transparent.

“We want to know why the council is doing this consultation because all the schools are doing fine, and they provide excellent service.”

But Cllr Seccombe has said the consultation must go ahead because thousands of pounds have been spent on pre-consultation work, and that all six nursery schools need to be at the same standard.

“The key issue here is that we want the best for these nursery schools,” she said.

“There are three outcomes; one is to see if the school would benefit from amalgamating with a primary school, another to change the venue to a children’s centre, and the third to retain it as a centre of excellence.

“I’m having a meeting on Friday to see if the consultation can be amended so the third option says it will stay as a nursery school.

“We have to do this now because thousands of pounds have been spent on getting this fair that we need to carry on.

“Warwick Nursery School is the only one that isn’t filling its capacity, so we need to see what can be done to get this.

“An extra £2 is spent per hour per head at a maintained school, so we need to make sure this money is being spent correctly.”

LISTED BUILDINGS ARE IGNORED IN RAIL PLANS

A STAGGERING 55 listed buildings have been ignored by the team planning to build a high-speed rail line near Stoneleigh.

Parts of the Warwickshire village, which has one of the highest concentrations of listed properties in the UK, could be decimated by the HS2 proposal.

Members of an action group, formed to challenge the plans, gathered last week to voice their opposition.

Philip Bull, 35, who is leading the charge despite commuting to London every day for work, said: “They’ve highlighted three listed buildings in this proposal and missed 55. It’s another thing that’s been pushed to one side.

“What’s extraordinary is that for us, people who use Coventry train station, things will get worse.

“The number of trains going from here to London will be cut from three to one. The whole proposal is crackers.

“The trains are supposed to be twice as long as a Pendolino, which carries 440 people. It’s just one of the figures that doesn’t stack up.”

The meeting, held at the village hall, included pictures showing the village overshadowed by a giant bridge.

An engineering expert said noise from the elevated line would be heard every three minutes.

Cec White, from the village, said: “Somebody’s got one hell of a cheek telling us this line is going to be 100 yards away from some of our homes. Someone should have spoken to us about this first – we shouldn’t be dictated to.”

Another resident Alec Sanders added: “Support for this scheme has almost become a political sound bite. It’s about status and no one seems to care about the people, like us, who will be affected.”

Organisers have vowed to work with other groups opposing the high-speed line to pool resources and co-ordinate opposition to the high-speed line.

FESTIVAL HIT BY TICKETS HITCH

ORGANISERS of this weekend’s 2010 Leamington Music Festival have faced a challenge with ticket sales following the collapse of a tourism company.

Hundreds of classical music lovers are expected to attend the bank holiday weekend event which runs from Friday April 30 to Tuesday May 4.

Festival bosses were worried the recent ban on flights due to the Icelandic ash cloud would hit perfor-mances, as artists performing in the nine concerts are flying in from the Czech Republic, Germany, Holland and Italy.

But after overcoming that hurdle, the collapse of South Warwickshire Tourism – trading as Shakespeare County – has posed a fresh headache over ticket sales.

Festival director Richard Phillips said: “I am pretty relieved that planes are flying again, as the recent problems would have affected half the concerts. Our other problem is the closure of the Tourist Information Centre at the Royal Pump Rooms.

“Not only are we owed money and we cannot get access to the tickets the TIC were selling, but
tourists seeking information on what’s on or looking for accommodation will be pretty fed up.”

Mr Phillips said Presto Classical, in Park Street, Leamington, has come to their rescue and is selling tickets, which are also available at the Bridge House Theatre.

This year’s festival, which is in its 21st year, will focus on romantic music between 1820 and 1850 and feature Chopin, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Weber.

Artists performing include the Schubert Ensemble of London, the Guarneri Piano Trio, regarded by some as the best trio in the world, the Wihan String Quartet and pianist Martin Kasik.

Warwickshire’s baritone Roderick Williams, young British cellist Gemma Rosefield, soprano Sonja Volten and violinist Anne-Marie Volten will also be performing.

For full ticket, venue and programme details visit www.leamingtonmusic.org.

WHITNASH NURSERY SCHOOL JOINS PROTEST

A SECOND nursery school has come forward to join a campaign to save nursery schools facing the threat of closure.

Parents and governors from Whitnash Nursery School (WNS), in Leamington, are joining the plight of those from Kenilworth Nursery School (KNS), in Bertie Road.

They are two of six nursery schools under review by Warwickshire
County Council which plans to hold a consultation in mid-May to see how they are being run.

As the Times reported last week users of KNS have condemned the review plans. Parents fear that because the school has no permanent headteacher it could be closed.

The county council has said it is following a government white paper, asking governors to examine the leadership and teaching in their schools and consider alternatives to current practice.

Now WNS, in Nursery Lane, is joining forces with KNS and is backing their call to stop the consultation from taking place.

Whitnash Nursery School has been running for more than 30 years and has received three consecutive “outstanding” Ofsted reports.

Sioban Mulherin, a parent and gover-nor of the school, said: “The support we have had to save the school has been phenomenal. As well as members of the community offering to help, all three of our parliamentary candidates have been down in person to sign our petition and offer their support.”

Alan Beddow, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Leamington and Warwick, visited the nursery and spoke to concerned parents.

He said: “This is an excellent nursery, very much part of the community and there is no justification whatsoever why this nursery should be under threat.

“Parents send their children here from across South Leamington, Whitnash and Warwick Gates where there is already a shortage of schools.

“The Conservative cabinet at the county council could have delayed the changes to early years funding by a year which would have allowed nursery schools time to plan these major changes properly.”

The school will be holding its first parents’ campaign meeting on Wednesday April 28 at Whitnash Nursery School.

Angry parents from both schools took their plight to the streets as they took part in a protest rally on Saturday in Abbey End, Kenilworth.

More than 400 people turned up to show their support and more than 1,000 signatures have so far been collected on a petition to save the schools.

At the protest, parents questioned the basis for the consultation.

Mandy Brougham, chair of governors at KNS, said: “The government’s policy is very clear. Outstanding schools should be protected. The council’s threat to our school is the
result of the councillors’ decision to try to save money in the schools’
budget.

“Our school is a vital part of our community and provides outstanding education for children. The massive support we have received from the community on Saturday shows that the council is making a huge mistake.

“It’s time they withdrew this consultation and gave a clear commitment to protect our school.”

Another protest has been planned outside Shire Hall tomorrow at 1pm, ahead of a cabinet meeting.

The parents have also requested to speak to Councillor Izzi Seccombe, portfolio holder for children, young people and families, to ask to withdraw the consultation.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said: “Warwickshire takes a very responsible view about all
providers of nursery provision.

“Cabinet agreed in January this year to proceed on consultation with the six nursery schools.

“What the council is trying to do is ensure the highest standard of provision is available to all children, regardless of where they live.”

NUMBER CAUGHT WITH CANNABIS RISES

ALMOST 400 cannabis plants have been seized by the county’s police force in Warwick district over the past two years.

The number of people caught with the drug has risen by 28 per cent between 2008 and 2009.

In 2008, 58 people were caught in possession of the class B drug around Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick, which increased to 74 last year.

The number of people arrested for the cultivation of cannabis rose slightly, from four to five, during the same period.

But the number of cannabis plants seized has fallen by more than a half.

In 2008, 267 plants were seized but this fell to 108 in 2009.

Warwick District Commander Neil Harrison said that cannabis-related offences are not high on the force’s crime-fighting agenda.

He said: “I do not consider these figures to be a significant increase.

“The cultivation is not a force priority as it is not a massive problem, but we understand the concerns.

“Over the past few months we have really pushed for a far greater proactive approach to looking. We have changed the way we react to calls from the public.

“We have significantly increased the number of stop and searches we carry out on the streets.”

He also said that cannabis-related arrests are ones which could lead to a term of imprisonment and encouraged members of the public to report any drug use.

“We rely on public awareness and if anyone suspects anything then we advise them to contact the police in the usual way or via Crimestoppers anonymously,” he said.

“Alternatively they can talk to their safer neighbourhood team. It’s also important for people to know that if they call the police and they don’t see a presence straight away, it might be because we’re operating in a more discreet way.”

To contact the police call 01926 415000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

LEAMINGTON VENUE WINS TOP AWARD

LEAMINGTON venue The Assembly has been named the Best Venue in the UK at the Music Week Award.

It beat off stiff competition from larger sites such as The O2 Arena, The O2 Sheperd’s Bush Empire and The Lexington, London to pick up the title.

The Assembly scooped the title at a ceremony held in the capital last Thursday.

Past performers include Razorlight, The Kooks, Pendulum, Doves, Corinne Bailey-Rae, Patti Smith, Peter Doherty and Beverley Knight.

Up and coming shows include Goldfrapp, Newton Faulkner and the only UK date for The Sisters Of Mercy.

One of the judges said the deal was clinched because of the investment into the front house and backstage facilities that had been put in place.

The Assembly boasts an artists’ area where there is a private bar, ride-along toys and bumper cars to help performers relax and unwind.

Vas Stylianos, of The Assembly, said: “We are over the moon with the result. Of course, we hoped that we would win when we were nominated because that alone was a massive deal to us.

“So to hear The Assembly being called out as the winner was amazing.”

SHOP WORKER INJURED IN POST OFFICE ROBBERY

ROBBERS dragged a shop worker into an office and forced her to open a safe before stealing cash and alcohol.

Three men went into the Chantry Post Office, in McColls, The Precinct, Warwick, before dragging the female victim through the store to a back office, where they made her open the safe.

They escaped with a large quantity of cash and some bottles of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

Both wine bottles had promotional stickers on them.

The victim, said to be in her 40s, suffered a bump to the head and was very shaken by her ordeal.

Warwickshire Police is investigating the robbery, which took place at 9.15pm on Sunday.

One of the men was white and wore a light grey hooded tracksuit, possibly with a Nike logo, grey gardening or building gloves with yellow on the thumbs and fingers, a dark top under the hoodie and dark
trainers.

The second was white and wore a dark grey or blue hooded tracksuit, black gloves, a black woolly hat under his hood, a light blue top under the tracksuit top, black trainers, and he also had a white scarf or handkerchief covering his mouth. He was carrying a multi-coloured JD Sports drawstring bag.

The third man was also white and wore dark tracksuit bottoms and a dark jacket with small white lettering or a logo on the left side of the chest area, black gloves, a black balaclava with the eyes cut out and black trainers with light coloured laces with lime green or yellow on the heel area.

It is believed the robbers escaped in a car which was parked nearby.

Two members of the public were in the shop at the time and police are keen to trace a man who went into the store twice in the 40 minutes before the robbery took place.

Officers have conducted house-to-house enquiries and are examining CCTV footage of the time of the incident and the moments leading up to it.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Sgt Iain Shearer at Leamington CID
on 01926 415000 or Crime-stoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

HAPPY HOMECOMING FOR INTREPID TROOPS

AN HISTORIC homecoming parade for soldiers of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is taking place in Kenilworth today.

More than 160 troops of the Fusiliers will parade through Kenilworth, along Warwick Road towards the castle.

The troops will be forming in Warwick Road, near Clarendon Road, where 350 red, white and blue balloons will be released at 11.30am.

Traffic will be stopped as the soldiers march towards the inspection point outside the Holiday Inn, in Smalley Place, before the Fusiliers march down to the castle.

The parade follows the soldier’s demanding six-month tour of Afghanistan last year.

It is believed this will be the first time a regular regiment has entered the castle since the Civil War more than 350 years ago.

Cllr Richard Davies, the Mayor of Kenilworth, said: “I realise that so many people in my town know somebody serving, and so many share the concerns for these young soldiers, and feel happy to see their homecoming.”

NEW TOURISM COMPANY OPENS

A NEW tourist company is filling the gap left by the sudden closure of Shakespeare County.

South Warwickshire Tourism, which traded under the name of Shakespeare County, was forced to stop trading at the start of the month after Stratford District Council decided not to renew its annual funding of £275,000.

Without the district council’s backing, the tourism firm said it could no longer operate and was forced to close down, shutting key tourism offices in Leamington and Stratford.

The board of SWT has called in insolvency experts Poppleton and Appleby who are expected to be appointed as liquidators at a meeting on April 28.

Now, Seek the Magic Org, which is the company behind the Creaky Cauldron Museum in Henley Street, Stratford, has stepped in to offer a new tourist information service to residents and visitors to the town.

The company has started a telephone information service which is open seven days a week and has created leaflets and a website under the name, Stratford-upon-Avon: Not Just Shakespeare.

Dave Matthews, chief executive of Seek the Magic Org, said: “We were extremely saddened about Shakespeare Country and concerned about the lack of a tourism provision in the town.

“The website will be a fundamental service and an invaluable source of information for visitors, especially as we approach Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations and our peak season.

“Stratford is a fantastic historic town and one we’re deservedly proud of.

“Each year it attracts four million tourists and we want to ensure that tourists continue to visit and the town remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.”

The Not Just Shakespeare website gives visitors information on places to eat and stay in Stratford, attractions, events and festivals, theatre and nightlife, shops, parking and the town’s history, as well as information on William Shakespeare.

The company has also opened a tourism office at the Creaky Cauldron Museum which is open every day from 9.30am until 5pm.

For more information call 0844 824 8600 or visit www.notjustshakespeare.org.

LEAMINGTON LEGENDS TO HAVE PLAQUES UNVEILED

THREE more plaques will be unveiled in Leamington to celebrate three legendary
residents of the town.

Sir Terry Frost, Malcolm Sayer and Randolph Turpin will all have a blue plaque unveiled under their names on Wednesday April 28 at 3pm.

Last week the Times reported that legendary boxer Turpin’s head guard is now on display at the town’s art gallery and museum.

Randolph was born in Leamington on June 1928 and trained along with his brother Dick at the Leamington Boys Club.

Aged 18, he turned professional and achieved a win by a knock out in his first bout. He won the British Middleweight title in 1950 and later that year met European Middleweight champion Luc Van Dam in London, whom he knocked out in the first round to seize the European championship.

The highlight of his career came in July 1951 when he become the first British holder of the World Middleweight title in 60 years.

He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.

His plaque will be unveiled in Willes Road where he grew up.

Joining him will be Leamington-born Sir Terry Frost, who was an artist noted for his abstract works.

He lived in Rugby Road before he served in the army during the Second World War and was taught by artist Adrian Heath while he was a prisoner of war.

After he returned to England he attended art schools in Cornwall and then worked as an assistant to sculptor Barbara Hepworth.

Frost had his first one-man exhibition in London at the Leicester Galleries in 1952 and in New York at the Bertha Schaefer Gallery in 1960.

In 1992, he was elected a Royal Academician and was knighted in 1998. He died in September 2003.

His plaque will be unveiled in Stamford Gardens.

The last man to be joining the trio is Malcolm Sayer who lived in Portland Place West, Leamington, which is where his plaque will be mounted.

He was the designer of the E-Type Jaguar.

Sayer joined the company in 1950 where he designed the first post-war British sports and racing car capable of challenging Mercedes and Ferrari.

His C-Type Jaguar won Le Mans first time out and then for three years running.

The events have been organised by the Blue Plaque Group, which manages the blue plaques and historic interest plaques in Leamington.

The group comprises Leamington Town Council, Leamington Building Conservation Trust, Central Leamington Residents’ Association, Leamington Society, Leamington Literary Society and Warwick District Council.

LEAMINGTON LICKER HEAD GUARD ON DISPLAY

A KNOCKOUT piece of one of the county’s biggest sporting heroes is being displayed at Leamington Art Gallery and Museum.

The personal boxing head guard of legend Randolph Turpin has been bought by the gallery in Leamington’s Pump Rooms and is on display on the mezzanine floor.

The leather head guard was worn by Turpin throughout his career, which culminated in his defeat of Sugar Ray Robinson at Earl’s Court, London, in 1951, for the World Middleweight Boxing Title Championship.

This victory transformed Turpin into a national hero. A crowd of 18,000 people waited to cheer him at Leamington Town Hall when he returned as the world champion.

Vicki Slade, curator at the gallery, said: “We are very excited to be able to represent Turpin because he is a national sporting hero. The headguard will be on permanent display, along with a replica of a statue that stands in Warwick town centre.

“We are glad that we are able to represent Turpin’s career and life.”

Local councillors are also excited about the new addition to the museum.

Councillor Michael Doody, leader of Warwick District Council, said: “This is an important acquisition that will add to the memory of Randolph Turpin, the celebrated boxer from Leamington.

“I am sure that many people will wish to come and see it at the art gallery.”

Councillor Susan Gallagher, portfolio holder for culture, added: “I am delighted that we have been able to obtain some memorabilia belonging to Randolph Turpin as I think he is our greatest local sports hero.

“It will be fantastic to display it to remind local people how great he was.”

Known as the Leamington Licker, Turpin retired in 1958 with a record of 64 wins, one draw and eight losses.

But he shot and killed himself above his wife’s transport cafe in Leamington eight years later over health and financial worries.

He was just 37.

His 17-month-old daughter Carmen was also injured but she refuses to believe he was responsible.

Although born in Leamington, Turpin lived in neighbouring Warwick and, in 2001, a bronze statue of the boxer was unveiled in Warwick town centre.

VET NURSE RECOGNISED FOR 30 YEAR SERVICE

ANIMAL lover Louise Want proved to be the top dog after scooping the Vet Nurse of the Year award at the Oscars of the veterinary world.

The 48-year-old, of St Nicholas Avenue, Kenilworth, was rewarded for her dedication as a veterinary nurse – a career which has spanned three decades.

At a ceremony last week hosted by comedian and impressionist Alistair McGowan, Louise was named vet nurse of the year 2010 at the Petplan Veterinary Awards, which were held in Birmingham.

Louise, who is married to fellow vet nurse Simon, works at the Feldon Veterinary Centre, which has centres in Kenilworth, Leamington and Hinckley.

The mother-of-three said she was shocked when she found out she had been nominated.

“I got a phone call about three weeks ago telling me I had been nominated and shortlisted in this category and it came as a complete shock,” she said.

“I’ve been in the industry for 30 years this year, and it’s such a special way to celebrate it; in fact it may have been the reason why I was nominated.

“It’s an amazing award and great to be acknowledged.

“I can honestly say I love my job now as much as I did when I started. Not many people can say that.”

An independent panel of judges found Louise to be a great inspiration by being an excellent role model for her team of nurses.

Animal lover Louise, who has three dogs, a cat and fish, said her home has become a sanctuary for injured or lost pets.

She said: “There have been so many incidents where people have called our home telephone or brought animals over to us.

“One of the most memorable events was when someone brought a dog to us that had really rough paws.

“It turned out his owner was 150 miles away and the dog had run away on Bonfire Night because he had been scared.

“He was perfectly fit and healthy, but he had been away for nine months. It was remarkable.”

Alison Andrew, Petplan’s marketing manager, said Louise was a very deserving winner.

She added: “The awards are about thanking the veterinary profession for the outstanding level of care they provide to our animals.

“Louise, like many vet nurses, provides an exceptional service to clients and their pets with an infectious level of enthusiasm.”

The awards, now in their 11th year, recognise and applaud staff and practices throughout the country that have delivered an exceptional level of care to the nation’s pets.

TWO MORE QUIZZED IN ATHERSTONE FIRE

FURTHER arrests have been made in connection with a warehouse blaze in Warwickshire which killed four firefighters.

Warwickshire Police said that two men have been bailed in connection with the fire. They join six others, who were arrested in February and March, on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

They all remain on police bail pending further inquiries.

A Warwickshire Police spokesman said the men, believed to be fire service staff, were arrested and questioned on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

Ashley Stephens, 20, Darren Yates-Badley, 24, John Averis, 27, and Ian Reid, 44, died in
the fire at a vegetable packing plant in Atherstone on Stour in November 2007.

A police spokesman added: “Two men, who were arrested on Wednesday April 7 in connection with the fatal fire at Atherstone on Stour in November 2007, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries. The men, aged 49 and 59 and from the south of the county, presented themselves at a police station in Warwickshire where they were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.”

HISTORIC LANDMARK GOING UNDER THE HAMMER

ONE of the main gateways into Warwick is due to go under the hammer today.

The Eastgate, which is more than 500 years old and a grade two listed building, is up for auction with a reserve price of £125,000.

But residents are worried a new buyer may not preserve it and could be snapped up for use as an apartment, office or even a wine bar.

Around 140 people have signed a petition to save the gatehouse which dates back to the mid
15th century.

John Walker, 69, of Primrose Hill, who is leading the petition, said: “The Eastgate remains a symbol of Warwick and it should be preserved.

“Within two weeks of starting this petition, more than 100 people have signed it from all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.

“It’s not entirely clear if the auction will find a new buyer because there are a lot of costs, nearly a quarter of a million, on top of the asking price to work on the building.

“There are no facilities inside, such as electricity or drains, so all that would have to be put in.

“It would be good if a trust could be set up to preserve it, perhaps we could get lottery funding.”

The current owner, a London businessman, put the Eastgate up for sale with Hawkesford
Estate Agents in January.

Since then there have been viewings twice a week from buyers with ideas of converting it into a private dining hall, private home, architect’s office or a two-bedroomed apartment.

Planning applications for a wine bar, cafe or restaurant will also be considered once it is purchased.

The Warwick Society, who aim to preserve an historic town, said the cost of repairing the Eastgate is very high.

Chairman James Mackay said: “We hope very much that the building will be in safe hands and we hope that the district council and English Heritage will respect its grade two status when a new buyer is found.

“But there is a very large negative number with the gate because so much needs to be done to conserve and repair it, which is expensive.”

The Eastgate, one of only two remaining gates within the town, has a reception area, hallway, cloakroom, two further rooms and a clock tower.

Three of its large rooms were used as classrooms by King’s High School for Girls from 1879, but it sold the building for about £90,000 five years ago.

A petition to preserve the Eastgate will be handed in to Warwick District Council on April 28.

What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.