Warwickshire Times

DATE TO DECIDE FIRE STATION CLOSURES ANNOUNCED

2010-06-16T10:04:00.000+01:00

A LONG-awaited decision on the future of seven Warwickshire fire stations will be made next month – and union leaders are expecting the “worst case scenario”.

Warwickshire County Council has announced July 20 as the date a meeting will take place to decide the fate of Warwick, Bidford, Brinklow, Kenilworth, Studley, Fenny Compton and Bedworth fire stations, which are under threat of closure.

About 100 retained firefighters also face losing their jobs under the council’s Fire and Rescue Improvement Plan.

The council has always maintained the plan is not a cost-cutting exercise, but one to see how a better service can be delivered.

But hundreds of residents have held protest marches and submitted petitions to the council, backed by the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) and MPs.

Mark Rattray, FBU’s Warwickshire brigade secretary, said: “What we have been told is that the proposal is the same as last year, which means losses are still part of the plan.

“This is after a lot of hard work from people campaigning to keep them and the feeling is still strong.

“We are still opposed to any closures and we are expecting the worst case scenario.

“We can understand that savings need to be made, but we need to ensure the safety of people first. We can bring to the table other ideas that would make savings and still keep the stations, such as modernising them.

“Some of the buildings are so old that they need investing in now – this will help to save later.”

Originally a decision was due to be made in February, but it was delayed because of the elections.

In the past eight months petitions have been handed in and protest marches organised by scores of angry residents.

Chris Downes, regional secretary of the FBU, said: “We will be looking at the local authority to see which way they will go. This whole process has been strange, and because of the elections, faced many delays.

“The public have supported a campaign to keep the stations open and the FBU have also submitted many reports. But I’m in the dark as much as everyone else on this matter.

“But they have to make a decision now and the FBU will take on what they say and deal with it accordingly.”

Tory MP Chris White, for Warwick and Leamington, said: “I still want the fire stations to stay open and there is still a high level of support from residents, district and county councillors.

“We’re looking to close this proposal down.

“The stations are essential for the confidence and safety for people of Warwickshire.

“People’s views must be listened to by the local authority.”

A campaign set up on social-networking site Facebook has attracted more than 2,000 members calling for an immediate halt of the proposed plans.

One person wrote: “No fire stations should close, every town should have one. For the community it is essential. Like a pub or a post office, it serves the area in its own way and should never be closed through cutbacks.”

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

CASTEL FROMA COULD MOVE TO OLD SCHOOL SITE

2010-06-16T09:58:00.001+01:00

A SPECIALIST care centre could be moving to the former site of North Leamington School to improve its facilities.

Castel Froma in Leamington, is hoping to buy 3.4 acres of land at the site in Cloister Way to build a new 72-bed facility.

Chief executive Robert Pearce said that contracts had been exchanged, and they were now waiting for planning permission to be granted.

If successful, the charity could be looking to raise as much as £12million for the project, some of which would come from the sale of its present centre in Lillington Road.

The centre, which has an annual operating cost of £3.25million, cares for people who have suffered an acquired brain injury, contracted Multiple Sclerosis or other neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy, or Parkinson’s Disease.

It provides 24-hour care for 57 residents, and has a staff of 150, which would be increased if the move to the new site took place.

The charity moved to its current premises in the mid-1950s, and the search for a new site began two years ago when the trustees decided it wouldn’t be practical to redevelop it.

Steve Nicklin, chairman of the trustees, said: “Our current premises are not ideal, and we need a new state-of-the-art building to give us an appropriate facility for the 21st century, one which will secure our future.

“We need to be able to move beds and wheelchairs about and our present centre, being a grand old house, has lots of steep staircases, some narrow corridors, and many small rooms. It also requires high maintenance.

“I have often said that our nursing staff delivers excellent care to our residents in spite of their
difficult working environment.”

The move will be the latest step in the master plan that chief executive Mr Pearce brought in two years’ ago to devise and implement.

He has already been responsible for restructuring the centre, devising and implementing new procedures, overseeing building work and redecoration, opening a new respite facility and
introducing new-look uniforms for all staff.

“We have also been in the process of re-branding, and now have a new brochure which better reflects the high quality care and facilities available at the centre,” he said.

“With this latest news, everyone is now very enthusiastic about the future.”

A planning meeting on the application is due to be held within the next four months.

For more information on services visit www.castelfroma.org.uk.

DECISION TO BE MADE OVER TRAVELLERS' SITE

2010-06-16T09:51:00.001+01:00

A RETROSPECTIVE planning application put in by a group of travellers in Beausale will be heard at the end of this month.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday June 30 and Warwick District Council’s (WDC) planning committee will decide whether permission will be given to develop the site in Kites Nest Lane, near Kenilworth.

A public meeting took place last Friday evening to discuss the site.

It was held at Hatton Village Hall, in Birmingham Road, and was attended by scores of people, including residents, representatives from the travellers’ site, chief executive of WDC Chris Elliott, council members and Warwickshire Police.

Tory MPs Jeremy Wright, for Kenilworth and Southam, and Chris White, for Warwick and Leamington, were also there to provide their objections to the planning application, alongside the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

The meeting provided a platform for people to ask the council questions about the planning application.

A spokesman for action group Friends of the Greenbelt, said: “It is great to see such a cohesive front against this cynical retrospective planning application and we particularly appreciate the show of support at this meeting from other action groups such as Meriden Raid and Budbrooke Barg.

“The next big milestone is June 30 when the planning application will be heard and a decision made and we would ask the local community to continue in their unanimous objection to this application.”

During the first May bank holiday, travellers in 15 caravans turned up at the site with diggers and rollers and began to develop the site without planning permission.

WDC issued an emergency stop notice to ensure no further work was carried out until the planning application was heard.

A High Court injunction was also granted last month to stop any further development.

The application is seeking permission for the change of use of the land for British Romani Gypsy families for 13 permanent pitches for mobile homes, 13 touring caravans for nomadic use only and 13 utility day rooms.

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

CLUB RISES FROM ASHES AND LOOKS TO FUTURE

2010-06-16T09:46:00.000+01:00

RACING Club Warwick has “risen like a phoenix from the ashes”, according to a member of the new management committee set up to save the club.

For the past 18 months the club, in Hampton Road, has been riddled with problems that meant its future was hanging in the balance.

But fresh hope has been given after Warwick District Council and Warwick Town Council have been working together to help.

A management committee team made up of 12 people has also been set up and includes Mayor of Warwick Cllr Mike Kinson, Councillor Linda Bromley and chairman of the previous committee Andi Feasey.

Cllr Bromley (Con, Warwick West) said: “Racing Club Warwick has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of the previous organisation since Warwick Town Council came to the rescue of this vital community-based facility.”

The club is now renting changing rooms that have been bought by the town council and has offered a home to the 3rd Warwick Scouts.

They are also offering activities such as boxing, bingo, darts and football and are hoping to set up a youth club too.

Andi Feasey took over as chairman of the previous committee in July last year and has also become a member of the management committee.

He said: “Before Christmas whether the club was staying open was being decided on a week-by-week basis, but now we have the town and district council to help us.

“We have increased bookings, which generates revenue, so things are really starting to look up.

“I can’t see us going backwards now, we’re all pushing in the same direction and that’s to only go forward.

“We’ve got a club AGM meeting on July 11 and we’ll decide from there how to carry on taking the club forward.”

To make a booking at the club’s function room call 01926 491849 after 6.30pm.

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

ALERT FOR HOMES IN PROPOSED HS2 RAIL LINE

2010-06-09T14:28:00.003+01:00

HOMEOWNERS living near the proposed route of the high speed rail link are being urged to get their homes valued now before house prices plummet by a predicted 25 per cent.

The stark warning comes from estate agents who have drawn parallels between the HS2 link and the widening of the M40 which had a devastating impact on local house prices.

The London to Birmingham rail line would cut through greenery in Warwickshire and see trains thunder past at 250mph every 20 minutes.

It has led to scores of property owners fearing house prices will plummet and sparked an outcry over the government’s compensation scheme.

Richard Kenyon, who has lived with his wife in Dalehouse Lane, Kenilworth, for 40 years, could be one of the worst affected by the predicted property blight.

The couple are considering selling their estimated £1.5million home but fear it will prove unsaleable if the proposed rail link is approved.

Mr Kenyon, a 72-year-old independent financial administrator, said: “The rail route would be 100 yards from my doorstep and will be noisier than a jet engine.

“There are two issues I have with HS2. The first is the Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) that is the compensation package being proposed by the government, which is not good enough.

“We need to be offered 100 per cent compensation on the value of our homes before the HS2 announcement was made, similar to what home-owners were offered when there are talks of runway expansions elsewhere in the country.

“Secondly, from what I can see there isn’t a big enough demand for this link judging by HS1, which links London to the south east of Kent.

“As I understand half the carriages on the service have been removed because they have been travelling empty.

“This is a very expensive project where money could be spent on schools and the health services.”

The EHS has a raft of requirements people need to meet before they become eligible to any compensation – this includes demonstrating an urgent need to move for work, financial or medical reasons and property that was bought prior to know-ledge of HS2.

Kenilworth resident Mark Evans, of Crackley Lane, thinks the EHS needs to be expanded to include more people.

The 44-year-old consultant engineer said: “I have lived here for eight years and deliberately moved here because it is a quiet area with green space.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty at the moment and even though the train won’t be too close to my house there will be a certain amount of noise pollution that will come into play.

“We had our home valued prior to the HS2 announcement because we’re planning on building an extension on our property, but we are concerned about the impact of the rail route.

“If the price of my property does fall because of HS2 then people should get full compensation back rather than what the EHS is currently offering. It has strict conditions that need to be changed.”

Warwickshire chartered surveyors and estate agents Hawkesford has already carried out several valuations for people who want to monitor any future drop in their house price.

Managing director James Hawkesford said: “There may be many claims for compensation and it is important the current valuation is obtained now, before prices begin to drop.

“It was inevitable that just the threat of this happening has already affected the value of properties in Southam, Offchurch, Cubbington and Kenilworth, that lie close to the proposed route.

“Sellers are legally required to tell prospective buyers about the plans, even though they’re yet to be decided and construction wouldn’t begin until 2019 at the earliest.”

Comparisons have been made to homeowners seeking compensation when the M40 was widened about 10 years ago.

Hawkesford agent Peter Wilson, an associate member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, said: “When we dealt with valuations because of the M40 we saw house prices in the area fall by 20 to 25 per cent.

“And there are certain similarities between what homeowners near the HS2 line face compared to the M40.”

Alex Khan, head of conveyancing at Leamington law firm Blythe Liggins, said: “In order to help those affected by the proposals, the government intends to introduce an EHS so home-owners with a pressing need to sell can apply to the government to purchase their property at the full market rate.”

Joe Rukin, chairman of the Kenil-worth Action Group, who oppose HS2, branded the whole scheme “ridiculous”.

He added: “People are expected to put their lives on hold for about 10 years because of this.

“The cost factor hasn’t been looked at properly, because there isn’t enough money in the country to fund this.”

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

CONFUSION OVER INCINERATOR PLANS

2010-06-09T14:18:00.001+01:00

A MEETING held to discuss the future of a proposed £1billion super incinerator indicated it could be put on the scrap-heap.

Representatives from Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Solihull Borough Council met this week to discuss the viability of a bigger incinerator in Coventry.

It would burn waste coming in from all three areas.

But revamping the ageing burner instead of signing up for a 25-year PFI contract seems to be gaining support.

Councillor John Whitehouse, (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey), was a Warwickshire represen-tative at the meeting on Monday.

He said: “The meeting was rather inconclusive as two out of the three Coventry reps didn’t turn up.

“Everyone was quite keen to hear from them because of the amount of press coverage they have got regarding their stance on the plan.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty about the future of this project. We don’t know if the new
government will scrap PFI credits that have not yet reached an advanced stage.

“I wanted to ask Coventry councillors about their position.

“Solihull seem to be in favour of looking at a refurbishment, which means Warwickshire would have to follow.

“As we know as recently as March we’ve called for Warwickshire council not to back the idea, but so far they have said they would.”

As the Times has previously reported, the new Labour administration in Coventry has said it would prefer to revamp the current incinerator rather than having a new one.

A public “engagement” to give people a chance to give their views on a proposed incinerator, which would be located in Whitley, Coventry, has been postponed.

The consultation was due to start this month, but chiefs behind Project Transform said that they need more time to brief members since the election.

Lucy Rumble, of Project Transform, said: “Rather than a consultation, we prefer to call it an engagement where people will be given the chance to look at the outline planning permission case for the incinerator in Whitley.

“The plan was to hold a number of drop-in sessions, like an exhibition, that would invite people’s comments.

“But we decided we should delay this so we can get all members up to speed.

“The engagement should start by the summer holidays though.”

CAMPAIGN FOR ST JOHN AMBULANCE

2010-06-09T14:08:00.000+01:00

A DOOR to door campaign to fundraise for St John Ambulance is being launched in Warwickshire tomorrow.

A team of fundraisers, who have been specially trained by charity promotion agency Wesser, will be calling house to house from Thursday June 10 to ask residents to support the work of St John Ambulance in their community.

They will be visiting Kenilworth, Lapworth, Burton Green, Baginton and Southam and will not be collecting cash or cheques, but instead asking people to consider becoming long-term supporters with a voluntarily chosen donation, for as long as they like.

Les Thacker, county executive officer for St John Ambulance in Warwickshire, said: “We depend heavily on private and corporate donations, as we receive no core government funding in carrying out our first aid duties.

“By working with Wesser we are able to tell people about our charitable work, as well as raising funds, in the most cost effective and efficient way possible – through regular donations.

“This leaves our volunteers to continue to make a difference in their communities and work towards reducing the number of lives which are lost needlessly each year. We are confident by handing out the first aid guides we will also be empowering others to make a difference too.”

Each fundraiser will be dressed in St John Ambulance branded clothing and will also be carrying identification which residents are encouraged to check before signing anything.

The police and local neighbourhood watch groups have been made aware of the fundraisers’ work in the area and if anyone has any concerns, they are able to phone the supporter hotline number on 0845 222 11 99.

TWO GOVERNING BODIES FOR LEAMINGTON SCHOOLS COULD MERGE

2010-06-09T14:05:00.001+01:00

A CONSULTATION has been launched to combine the governing bodies of two schools in Warwickshire.

A federation of Sydenham Primary School in Leamington and Lighthorne Heath has been proposed by the governors from both schools.

They want a partnership of the two schools under the leadership of Juliette Westwood, headteacher of Sydenham Primary School, with new ‘heads of learning’ overseeing the day-to-day management of the two schools.

It is hoped the arrangement would provide a single-federated governing body, but each school would retain its own character, admission arrangements, budget and continue to have separate Ofsted inspections.

A formal consultation, which ends in July, has been sent out to parents of both schools to gather their views.

If approved then the federation could start as early as the autumn term.

The governors of both schools said they strongly believe the amalgamation will bring many benefits to children in both schools.

This includes access to specialist teaching, more social and educational opportunities, greater access to team sports and other joint activities.

Keith Blackburn, chairman of governors at Lighthorne Heath Primary School, added: “Although the governors are excited about the opportunities provided by federation such as, a wider scope for school development and the improvement of standards for all, we will carefully consider all the views of the school community before we make a final decision.”

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

BOGUS CHARITY COLLECTION ALERT

2010-06-09T13:59:00.000+01:00

THOUSANDS of “misleading” leaflets have dropped through the letterboxes of homes in Warwickshire falsely claiming to be from the air ambulance.

They are asking for clean and re-usable clothing, bed linen, jewellery, and mobile phones.

The leaflets also ask neighbours to leave their donations in large plastic bags to be collected from the roadside from 8am on Friday.

There is also an invitation to gain an air ambulance service membership card but it requires people to send their name and address by calling the telephone number printed on the leaflet.

People can also text the word AIR with their personal details at a cost of £5 plus network fee.

But the leaflet has nothing to do with the local air ambulance.

Warwickshire Trading Standards is investigating the issue after it received complaints from residents in Leamington.

And air ambulance charities across the country have been notified to warn potential victims of the scam.

A spokesman for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance said: “The leaflet has absolutely nothing to do with our charity or our sister service Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance and any donations made to this scam company will not go towards your local air ambulance service.

“The leaflet is very misleading and could easily lead people into thinking they are supporting our vital life-saving service.

“As a registered charity we rely on voluntary income to keep us flying and saving lives and it is upsetting that this company seems to be confusing people over who they are supporting.

“I would therefore urge supporters to look for our registered charity number, 1098874, when making a donation, or if you are unsure please do call a member of the air ambulance team on 0845 4130 999.

“I would like to ask people to ensure they carry on donating clothing through our branded collection bags and make sure that they support Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air
Ambulance."

FOOTBALL TROUBLE THREAT OF BAN

2010-06-02T14:49:00.001+01:00

FOOTBALL fans in Leamington face being kicked out of town if they cause trouble during the World Cup.

More police officers will be on patrol at weekends and match days during the tournament to deal with any disorder and booze-fuelled violence.

The crackdown aims to handle an expected rise in the number of people heading into town during the World Cup who will be drinking earlier and for longer.

The move coincides with new measures coming into force in Leamington town centre which has just been designated an authorised dispersal zone.

Police officers and police com-munity support officers (PCSOs) now have the power to disperse groups of two or more people if they are being anti-social or likely to be anti-social.

They must leave the town centre immediately and can be banned from returning to the area for up to 24 hours.

Anyone ignoring the request or returning to the area once asked to leave can be arrested.

The dispersal zone order came into effect yesterday (Tuesday) and is in force until September 1.

It covers an area which extends to Dale Street and Clarendon Place, Clarendon Avenue, Clarendon Street, Newbold Street, Wiles Road, the High Street and takes in Jephson
Gardens, Pump Room Gardens and public space near Clarendon Avenue.

Sgt Paul Calver, who has worked with Warwick District Council to get the dispersal zone in place, said: “In recent months we have significantly reduced the level of violent crime in Leamington town centre, but we still need to curb low level disorder and anti-social behavior such as late night noise.

“We have seen a considerable drop in incidents inside licensed premises due to the hard work of the licensees and door supervisors in partnership with the police and Warwick District Council.

“But with the warmer weather, in addition to the World Cup celebrations, we expect larger numbers of people to come in to the town centre.

“On match days during the World Cup we know people will be drinking earlier and drinking for longer, and so we need to make sure measures are in place to ensure people behave
responsibly in the town’s open spaces.

“As a result we will be increasing the number of police and PCSOs on duty at weekends and also on match days during the football tournament.”

Councillor Bernard Kirton, Warwick District Council’s communities portfolio holder and chairman of Safer South Warwickshire Community Safety Partnership, said: “I hope residents, businesses and visitors to Leamington town centre are reassured we will be intervening early to tackle anti-social behaviour and prevent escalation to disorder.”

But Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said they hope the order is used sensibly as people generally go to the pub to watch sports together rather than alone.

Tony Jerome, CAMRA spokesman, said: “We realise the police have a tough job managing large numbers of people when sporting events like the World Cup are on, but we do hope responsible adults will be given the freedom to visit community pubs with their friends to enjoy the football over a few pints.

“Pubs have had it tough in recent times and need our support so we hope that any tough measures that are brought in to manage a few trouble makers do not spoil the enjoyment for the masses and the pubs industry.”

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

SPA CENTRE TO GET £30,000 FACELIFT

2010-06-02T14:46:00.000+01:00

IT’S curtains up for one Leamington venue that will be getting a £30,000 facelift.

Work will begin at the Royal Spa Centre in Leamington this summer when workmen will move in to revamp the venue.

The improvement work will be followed by a grand re-opening in the autumn with shows such as Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Tell Me On A Sunday, starring Claire Sweeney, and West End comedy hit Defending The Caveman with Mark Little.

The redevelopment work is being backed by Warwick District Council’s Task and Finish group and aims to make the troubled venue more appealing to the public.

Councillor Sue Gallagher (Con, Leek Wootton) said: “I think the proposed changes are exactly what is needed and are very exciting. I can’t wait to see it all take shape and very much look forward to seeing the Royal Spa Centre transform itself over the next few months.”

The venue is hoping to boost ticket sales with a packed programme of top shows and one-night specials.

Other highlights of the new season include a date with entertainer and comedy performer Brian Conley and John Godber’s classroom comedy drama Teechers.

The big Christmas show will be family pantomime Mother Goose and open auditions for professional dancers and actors will be held in the summer.

Longer term ideas for the centre are also being explored. They include plans to develop the current site, alternative uses for the centre and proposals to relocate the venue to a completely new site.

People are invited to give their views in a public consultation online survey that was launched last week. Go to www.royal-spa-centre.co for details.

Everyone who takes part will be entered into a free prize draw to win a pair of tickets for the show of their choice.

Tickets for the new autumn season go on sale on June 10.

CALLS FOR INCINERATOR PLANS TO BE SCRAPPED

2010-06-02T14:43:00.001+01:00

A MEETING between the three councils that could provide a £1billion incinerator is being held next week.

Project Transform, a joint scheme between Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Solihull Borough Council, would see the current incinerator in Whitley, Coventry, replaced by a building that would burn more waste.

The project’s members advisory panel, made up of three members from each of the three authorities involved, will hold its next meeting in Solihull on Monday June 7.

But the scheme has been bitterly opposed by Warwickshire Liberal Democrats, who in March asked the county council to stop the project immediately. The motion was turned down by both Tory and Labour councillors in the county.

The recent local elections has seen both Solihull and Coventry’s cabinet change from being Tory-ruled.

Councillor John Whitehouse, (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey), said: “Although this meeting is not where final decisions will be made, I hope it will send a clear signal the project needs to be scrapped in its current form and soon. It is costing the three authorities £25,000 a week, so
every further week of delay is more money wasted.

“I’m encouraged by public statements from the new Labour leader of Coventry City Council, which suggest that he is looking again critically at this project. I am also very hopeful the new Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition in Solihull will want to do the same.

“With future housing projections all under review again, and with recycling rates continuing to grow strongly, it would be crazy for the three councils to continue with this project now.”

A SPEEDING SCHEME THAT COULD STICK?

2010-06-02T14:36:00.000+01:00

A CAMPAIGN which gives free stickers highlighting the dangers of speeding has been launched in Warwickshire this week.

The ‘speeding wastes lives’ campaign provides stickers to residents, who can display them on their wheelie bins.

They ask motorists to slow down and aim to prompt drivers using residential streets to keep their speed in check and drive considerately.

The idea, a joint scheme between Warwickshire County Council’s road safety unit and Warwickshire Police, had been piloted in small areas earlier last month.

Chris Fossey, road safety liaison officer at the county council, said: “We receive so many complaints about the speed of traffic that it was clear communities desperately needed help to remind drivers travelling through our towns to respect the speed limit.

“Tackling the problem of speeding means respecting others, their families and their pets while on the road by driving at an appropriate speed.

“By displaying these stickers people can pass this on by asking others to take extra care.”

Chief Inspector Lucy Sewell of Warwickshire Police, added: “By displaying a sticker residents are reminding drivers and riders that speeding is not acceptable.

“The scheme has already attracted a great deal of interest which shows us that residents are keen to do their bit to improve safety on local roads.”

A Warwickshire household can request two free stickers via the county council’s road safety team; call 01926 418612 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/speedingwasteslives.

TRAVELLERS' SITE BID SPARKS ROW

2010-05-05T10:03:00.000+01:00

ANGRY villagers have hit out at the illegal development of a travellers’ site near Kenilworth.

The operation, which has been dubbed as ‘slick’ by one resident, saw around 15 caravans pull up onto a field at Kites Nest Lane.

Residents say the travellers, who own the land, were using diggers and road rollers to develop the plot without planning permission.

Chris Lewis, chairman of the Beausale, Haseley, Honiley and Wroxall parish council, said: “The travellers moved in on Friday and started excavating the land with equipment before getting planning permission.

“They submitted an application just before 5pm with Warwick District Council for a permanent travellers site.

“But the district council moved quickly and issued a stop notice, which lasts for 28 days and means no other caravans can move onto the site and no further work can be done.

“This has been a very well-planned project by them (the travellers) and they obviously meant for it to coincide with the bank holiday shutdown.

“Most people are outraged by this, they’ve placed themselves on green belt land.”

Concerned residents have spoken about their fears to the Times.

A resident of Beausale Lane, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The whole move was very slick. “Why should they be able to move onto green belt land without any trouble, but the rest of us need to seek planning permission?

“Residents are concerned about their properties, about noise levels and whether the infrastructure will be able to cope with this. The roads are bad enough as it is without big trucks rolling up the lanes.”

Councillor Sue Gallagher (Con, Leek Wootton) was amazed at the rate of the development but praised Warwick District Council officers for their swift action over the bank holiday.

She said: “The travellers swept in with military precision and that is what is most disturbing for people.

“Everyone has to apply for planning permission in the same way, so now we’ll have to wait until planning officers look at the application before we can go any further.

“But the district council acted very quickly to issue a stop notice that was effective from Sunday at 6pm. If anyone breaks that notice then it becomes a legal matter.”

A Warwick District Council spokesman said: “A planning application has been submitted to us seeking permission for the change of use of the land for British Romani Gypsy families for 13 permanent pitches for mobile homes, 13 touring caravans for nomadic use only and 13 utility day rooms.

“The council is in the process of checking whether the application has been properly made and can be accepted. If the application is valid it will be considered through the normal planning process.”

A meeting is taking place on Saturday May 8 at Shrewley Village Hall, starting at 2pm, for residents to air their views about the situation.

Travellers declined to comment when the Times approached them.

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

FUNDRAISER FOR WAVERLEY DAY CENTRE

2010-05-05T09:55:00.001+01:00

A FUNDRAISING event is taking place to ensure a vital daycare centre in Kenilworth continues.

Waverley Day Centre, in Waverley Road, provides care for those aged 60 and over.

But it faces a potential budget cut from Warwickshire County Council, which means the
service could be lost if money is not raised elsewhere.

Colin Wilding, chairman of Kenilworth Community Care, said: “The centre offers elderly people transport from their homes to the centre, where they can sit together, go out on trips and have events such as bingo and sing-a-longs.

“Historically the council has given us grants, but because of the recession funding is tight, so we’re beginning to fundraise now.”

A garden party is being held on Saturday May 15, from 2pm at The Stone House, in High Street.

Attractions include crafts stalls, competitions for children, face painting and a chance to meet the Town Mayor.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said: “We’ve asked the centre to look at whether there is scope to reduce the money over the next year.

“They are now quite sensibly looking at how alternative funds could be raised.”

The garden party has been organised by the St Nicholas and St Barnabas Parish Church.

Admission costs 50p for adults and 25p for children, with no charge for those aged under four.

WEDDING RING LOST IN TRIP TO SKIP

2010-05-05T09:52:00.001+01:00

A REGULAR recycler lost more than he bargained for when he chucked his heirloom wedding ring into a nine-tonne skip.

The accident happened when Darren Higham had taken a mid-week trip to the skip to off load fencing wood at the Household Waste Recycling Centre, in Princes Drive, Leamington.

But along with fencing wood, he accidently threw in his 70-year-old wedding band that had been passed down to him from his grandfather.

The 43-year-old, of Stretton Crescent, Whitnash, said: “I was a bit energetic with my last throw and my wedding ring slipped off my finger and straight into the skip.

“I left my name and contact details with staff there in case they were able to find it.

“I was told the skip would go to Derby the next day so I wasn’t too hopeful.

“I was absolutely devastated, I thought to myself I’ll never see that again.”

Darren, who has been married for 14 years and has two children, then went into hospital the following day to have surgery done to his shoulder.

“I had lost the ring betrothed to me by my beloved and also belonged to my grandad.

“So while I was lying in the hospital bed I had all sorts of thoughts going through my mind, such as if I was to die my wife wouldn’t even have my ring to remember me by.”

But two days later Darren received some good news – his ring had been found.

Staff at the recycling centre had rummaged around the skip for two days and had found his precious wedding band.

“I know the ring could easily be replaced with another from a shop but it wouldn’t be the same,” added Darren, who works at Higham Butchers, in St Margaret’s Road.

“I am very grateful to the team for taking the time out to look for it.”

Mickey Pitcher, 27, a recycling operative, said: “We dug around through about nine tonnes of wood over two days and then we found it.

“It’s not something we would usually do but we try our best to help.

“It was a relief when we finally got it because that meant we could stop going through a massive skip.”

To say thank you, Darren gave barbeque meat packs to the team.

SKYDIVE JUMP FOR MYTON HOSPICE

2010-05-05T09:49:00.000+01:00

A GROUP of daredevil fundraisers will be throwing themselves out of a plane to raise money for Myton Hospice.

Louise Green, of Dalehouse Lane, Kenilworth, is taking part in a 10,000ft skydive in memory of her father Reg Gardiner, who had been staying at the hospice, in Myton Lane.

But Louise, 44, who is afraid of heights, is taking eight other people with her on June 5, as the group gets ready to take the plunge in Brackley Airfield, near Oxford.

She said: “My father was here for six weeks last year before he passed away – he had been battling with bowel cancer.

“The staff here are just fantastic, they provide the best environment for both the person staying at the hospice and their friends and family.

“The way I see it, even though I’m scared of heights, my fear will be over in a matter of a few seconds.

“But for people that are suffering with terminal illness, this fear is something they are constantly living with, so in comparison this doesn’t seem like such a sacrifice.”

The group of nine will be doing their skydive on Saturday June 5 and are hoping to raise £4,000.

Among those taking part are Myton Hospice employees Rachael Stevens and Rebecca Stevenson.

The divers will reach speeds of 120mph during the jump.

Rachel, who is part of the hospice’s community fundraising team, said that she is fulfilling her life-long ambition before she turns 40 next year.

She said: “I have always wanted to do a skydive but the circumstances have never been right before.

“I am looking forward to it but haven’t thought about the actual jump yet.

“I have raised £260 so far and am hoping to raise about £1,000 for the hospice.”

The participants will each be partnered by a qualified and experienced instructor for the challenge.

Myton Hospice provides vital care and support for people with terminal illnesses and their families and has three hospices in Coventry and Warwickshire.

There are 24 in-patient beds at the Warwick site, as well as a day hospice which is open five days a week.

There is still time to sign up for the skydive but new entrants need to return their forms within the next week.

To find out more, call 01926 838837 or visit www.mytonhospice.org.uk.

TEACHERS SET TO BOYCOTT SATS

2010-04-28T17:12:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-28T16:42:00.001+01:00

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

2010-04-28T16:38:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-28T16:30:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-28T15:16:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-22T09:18:00.001+01:00

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

2010-04-22T09:15:00.001+01:00

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

2010-04-22T09:12:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-22T09:09:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-19T11:45:00.001+01:00

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

2010-04-19T11:42:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-19T11:09:00.003+01:00

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

2010-04-12T17:19:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-12T17:17:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-12T17:15:00.000+01:00

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

2010-04-12T17:12:00.001+01:00

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.

IS AN ENGLISHMAN'S HOME REALLY HIS CASTLE?

2010-02-11T20:04:00.001Z

A LEAMINGTON law firm is fighting for a farmer who secretly built – and lived in – a castle.

It took Robert Fidler, 60, two years to covertly build his dream home, complete with ramparts and a cannon, in Salfords, near Redhill, Surrey – but without planning permission from his local authority.

He kept the structure hidden behind walls made of straw bales and tarpaulin, before he revealed his home in May 2006.

Because he had built the castle in 2002, Mr Fidler thought he had become immune to planning enforcement controls, as it was four years since the building works had been completed.

But Reigate and Banstead Borough Council issued an enforcement notice in March 2007, ordering it to be demolished on the grounds it had been erected without planning permission.

That decision was upheld by the High Court.

Solicitor Pritpal Singh Swarn, of Wright Hassall, said Mr Fidler will appeal the decision.

Mr Swarn said: “Mr Fidler and his family have lived in their home for more than five years.

“Planning legislation states that if someone has substantially completed a property for more
than four years, they are immune from having the property knocked down.

“This case hinges on whether or not the removal of the bales of hay – which were already in position before construction had started – were necessary for the house to be completed.

“The council’s arguEment is that the removal of the bales of hay was a key part of the construction. We can’t understand how that could
be.

“Any building professional would tell you the removal of a haystack could play no part in any construction process, let alone the erection of a dwelling.

“The council has been determined to pursue this case, despite the fact not a single person has raised any objection to the property.

“It has been pursued at the expense of the taxpayer, which we find deeply regrettable, but Mr Fidler will continue to fight for the right to live in his home.”

DODDY ADDS HIS BACKING

2010-02-11T20:01:00.000Z

COMEDY “stalwart” Ken Dodd is rallying support to save one of Leamington’s best-loved theatres.

Knotty Ash’s famous son has been entertaining audiences up and down the country for more than 55 years and recently returned for a show at the Royal Spa Centre in Newbold Terrace.

He received a standing ovation at the end of the night, but expressed his sadness at the recent threat of the centre’s closure.

Ken said: “I am so sad to learn that the Royal Spa Centre is under threat. I love theatre and have been coming to the Royal Spa Centre for many years.

“It is a charming place and I fear if it closes then the people of Leamington will never get anything like it back again.”

Ken urged the audience to object to the closure by writing to Warwick District Council.

He said he wanted to be entertaining audiences at the venue for many years to come.

Anthony Flint, director of external affairs at the theatre, said: “It’s really nice to have that compliment from someone who is a stalwart of the theatre and is absolutely right about what he’s said.

“Towns need a theatre so I’m glad Mr Dodd has shown his support.

“As I have said before, we now have 23 months to make the Royal Spa Centre as good as it can be for the good of Warwick District theatre.

“Mr Dodd’s support is very welcome.”

A BRIDGE TOO FAR

2010-02-03T15:02:00.001Z

A WEBSITE designer is hoping to get his message across that he is not happy with the proposed design of a Kenilworth bridge – by coming up with his own.

Jon Foster-Smith, of New Street, Kenilworth, is calling on residents to give their true opinion on a bridge that will go over Coventry Road.

In 2007, Warwickshire County Council and Sustrans – a sustainable transport charity – secured a portion of £50million of Big Lottery Fund to develop the disused Kenilworth-Berkswell railway line and turn it into a leisure route.

They submitted a variety of designs last summer and opened a public consultation to gather
people’s opinion.

The most popular bridge (pictured below right) was picked and will go before a council meeting next month to get planning permission.

But Jon, who runs his own web design company called Shine Design, thinks the bridge has no character.

The 37-year-old said: “As a kid, I remember the landmarks I saw on a car journey as a child. Things like bridges were good at giving a place an identity, which is why I feel a sense of
embarrassment and concern that we are leaving little of value for future generations.

“To me, the proposed bridge would be more in keeping over the M40 than a gateway to our
town.

“It seems like something you can buy off the shelf, that will do the job and deter vandalism.

“This is why I’ve mocked up these designs to show what else could be done.”

A final report will be produced on February 9 and a public meeting is taking place at 10am on
February 23, in Shire Hall, Warwick.

Councillor John Whitehouse (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey) said: “I am aware of Mr Foster-Smith’s views and think it’s great he’s expressing his opinion.

“But the general opinion of people that viewed the designs back in the summer at the Kenilworth library was in favour of this design.

“They wanted something simple, but if anyone has any objections then they can voice them at a meeting next week.”

For more information on the bridge plans visit www.connect2kenilworth.org.uk.

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

ANDREW DAVIES BECOMES PATRON OF LOFT THEATRE

2010-02-03T14:58:00.000Z

BAFTA award-winning writer Andrew Davies has accepted an invitation to become the first ever
patron of Leamington’s Loft Theatre.

Mr Davies, who is the creator of television series A Very Peculiar Practice, is well known for his adaptations of literary classics including, Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, Vanity Fair and Sense and Sensibility.

As honorary patron, Mr Davies will participate in special events and provide his experienced
advice to the cast.

Michael Rayns, chairman of the Loft Theatre, said: “The theatre has a long relationship with Andrew and we are delighted he has agreed to be our first ever patron.

“This comes at a very important time for the Loft as we will be moving into our new theatre within the next 18 months.”

The Loft Theatre’s current home in Victoria Colonnade will be moving to the former United Reformed Church, in Spencer Street.

Mr Davies, 74, said: “I am honoured and delighted to become patron of the Loft Theatre. I have, for many years, admired and enjoyed their productions and the Loft has premiered two of my plays, Prin and Rose.”

Mr Davies is also noted for his political thriller House of Cards, screenplays for both the Bridget
Jones films and lectures at Warwick University.

His experiences there led to writing his campus-based comedy series A Very Peculiar Practice.

MORE INFORMATION ON SEX OFFENDERS COULD BE GIVEN

2010-01-28T12:31:00.001Z

PARENTS across the country could be told more about sex offenders coming into contact with their children.

It follows a successful trial of ‘Sarah’s Law’ in Warwickshire, which was launched in 2008 to protect more children from convicted sex offenders.

In the first six months of the trial, which also ran in three other areas of the country, more than 150 parents made inquiries. Of those, 10 were given the relevant information.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said that early results of the scheme were “extremely encouraging” and the project had protected children.

‘Sarah’s Law’ was proposed following the death of eight-year-old Sarah Payne, who was murdered by a convicted sex offender 10 years ago.

Under the measures, families will be able to ask police if someone with access to their child has convictions or has been previously suspected of abuse.

Mr Johnson said results from the year-long pilot are still being evaluated and talks with police and children’s charities would take place before a final decision is made on extending the scheme nationally.

SWISS LINK TO AIRPORT

2010-01-28T12:30:00.001Z

A SWISS investment firm looks set to become the new owner of Coventry Airport.

Airport Development Partners could be taking over the running of the business after more than two weeks of talks with the landowners Coventry City Council.

The move would safeguard hundreds of jobs – which have been under threat since the airport closed suddenly in December.

The deal could be finalised within the next few weeks if ADP successfully completes its 30 days of due diligence.

The firm, which is based in Switzerland but has mostly American shareholders, is a private airport investment and development firm that is dedicated to investing in regional airports across Europe.

ADP was one of several serious contenders bidding for the chance to run Coventry Airport.

The airport’s previous owners, West Midlands Airport Ltd, was wound up at London’s High Court after being served with a petition from HM
Revenue and Customs in
October over mounting debts.

About 70 jobs were lost when the airport closed, but hundreds more were said to be at risk if a new owner could not be found.

NEW COMMITTEE COULD SAVE RACING CLUB WARWICK

2010-01-28T12:27:00.000Z

TROUBLED Racing Club Warwick is pinning its hopes on a new management committee to save it from closure.

Over the past 12 months the football club’s Townsend Meadow ground, in Hampton Road, has been riddled with problems.

They started in January last year when the club’s lease was wrongly withdrawn by Warwick District Council.

But after a club user sought legal advice it was proved that the district council should not have taken the lease away.

Despite being told they could stay at the site for the next eight years, members fear increased costs of rents and rates could close the club down.

And on-going work to accommodate a cadet force, who also use the site, has left only half the club useable and management paying for the use of temporary changing rooms.

Last week a meeting between the club and town and district councils took place to try and help the club get back on its feet.

Derek Maudlin, town clerk at Warwick Town Council, said: “We understand Racing Club is very valuable to Warwick and we want to help the club as much as we can.

“At this meeting we proposed that we would cover the cost of hiring portable changing rooms for the rest of the financial year.

“This would be on the condition that the district council agreed to waive the rent arrears until the end of March.

“I’m not sure of exact figures but the changing room cost is £1,240 and the rent arrears are around £2,000.

“We also want to set up a management committee in the next six weeks.”

The district council has agreed to set up a management committee but said it would not commit to waiving rent arrears.

Andrew Jones, deputy chief executive of Warwick District Council, said: “Racing Club Warwick is quite happy for both the town and district council to set a management committee that would plot the way forward.

“We’re hoping the first meeting will be taking place pretty soon, hopefully within the next two to three weeks.

“What I have said to Derek is it is a good idea to review the rent situation, but it would be unfair for me to commit to anything like that at the moment.

“First we’ll see what the situation is like once this committee is set up.”

The management committee would oversee day to day activities, but not get involved with governing the club.

Mr Maudlin said the response was not “as positive as the town council had hoped for” and would be reporting back to a town council meeting on February 8.

Warwick Racing Club was originally formed in 1919 and offered football opportunities to men returning from the First World War.

It is now home to four football teams, a boxing club, the Royal British Legion and business networking club Warwick Probus.

John Shaw, chairman of the Warwickshire branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “At least we are getting together now and talking about the future of the club.

“It’s been four months since the club has been in this situation and we need to move it forward.

“The club is used for all sorts of activities which is why it’s important it remains open.”

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

Bishop urging a re-think on fire station closures

2009-12-07T12:43:00.001Z

THE BISHOP of Warwick has waded into the debate over proposed fire station closures, saying officials need to “seriously rethink” the idea.

The Rt Rev John Stroyan claims the consultation process is biased, and that lives could be put at risk.

He spoke out after a series of heated meetings between residents and senior fire officers came to an end.

“The people of Warwick and Warwickshire are hugely concerned about these proposals,” said the bishop.

“The questions in the consultation document are highly skewed to get the answers they want.

“If there is to be a genuine consultation, given the almost universal public concern about the proposals, there will need to be some serious rethinking, taking into account the legitimate concerns that are being raised.

“After all, surely we are all after the same thing: increased public safety?”

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue service wants to close Brinklow, Kenilworth, Bedworth, Warwick, Studley, Fenny Compton and Bidford stations, and cut the number of retained firefighters by 100, although there would be 20 new full-time firefighters.

The proposals have angered thousands of residents across Warwickshire who have started campaigns and petitions to keep their local fire stations open, despite assurances that response times would be unaffected

A march through Warwick town centre will also take place on
Sunday December 6, from Shire Hall.

Consultation on the proposals closes on Tuesday December 8.

The outcomes will then be presented in a report to cabinet on January 28, which will be made public, before a final decision is made by Warwickshire County Council on February 9.

n To have your say visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue or email fireandrescue@warwickshire.gov.uk.

Crackdown targets driving ‘fatal four’

2009-12-07T12:42:00.003Z

A CHRISTMAS crackdown on drink and drug drivers has been launched by Warwickshire Police who are warning people to think of the consequences before they get behind the wheel.

And as part of this year’s festive warning, officers have vowed to breathalyse more motorists than ever before.

Police will be carrying out roadside breath tests on drivers they suspect are over the limit. And an advertising crusade, which includes a series of posters and leaflets warning of the dangers of drink-driving, are also part of the plans.

Chief Inspector Chris Lewis, who heads the Operations Task Force, said: “Last year in Warwickshire we breathalysed more people than ever before in December but there is no room for complacency.

“Christmas time is party season and we want to tell people, if you’re going to a party, plan ahead. Think about what you’ll be doing the next day. Alcohol will still be in the system. If you’ve only had four or five hours sleep and you get up and think you’re all right, you won’t be.”

This year’s leaflets warning people not to drink and drive have been printed in a number of different languages, including Portuguese, Polish and Farsi.

Chief Inspector Lewis added: “These are the most requested translations across the county and are an indicator of the communities there are. For example, there are distinct Polish communities in Leamington.

“I feel quite excited about this added dimension as it will help to make sure Warwickshire’s roads are safer.

“In future we will look at other languages but this is a good starting point to spread the road safety message.”

During last year’s Christmas campaign 2,055 drivers were stopped in Warwickshire and were given roadside breath tests, of which 65 proved positive – a fall of 0.8 per cent from 2007.

In December 2007 police arrested 62 drivers, four per cent of the 1,549 stopped and tested, over the festive period, which was down on the same period in 2006, when 92 drivers were arrested and seven per cent of 1,325 motorists breathalysed.

Chief Inspector Mike Slemensek, the force’s diversity manager, has welcomed the move to get the message about the dangers of drink driving to more people.

He said: “Warwickshire Police takes every opportunity to reach all members of the community to protect them from harm and by providing this information in their own language we can make sure that they fully understand the rules of the road and the dangers of ignoring them.”

This year’s campaign has also widened the warning to include three other key causes of death and serious injury on the road – speed, lack of seat belts and distraction.

Chief Inspector Lewis said: “We call these three, along with impairment because of drink or drugs, the fatal four. They are behind most deaths on roads and we are sending out the message that we don’t want people to do these things.

“We want people to enjoy themselves and we’re not against parties. People can have a drink and relax but just make sure you plan what you’re doing.”

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

Death rates in Warwick Hospital higher than the national average

2009-12-07T12:40:00.005Z

DEATH rates in Warwick Hospital are higher than the national average in six categories, according to a damning new report.

Independent health watchdog Dr Foster has named South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages the hospital, as one of the worst performing in the country for patient safety.

Its report reveals there were more deaths than expected for patients who had suffered a stroke, a heart attack, a broken hip and for those who had been admitted for a low-risk operation like a tonsillectomy, compared to the national average.

Significantly, deaths from emergency admissions and the overall death rate are also above the national average for the trust, which also runs the outpatients part of Stratford Hospital.

For these latter two mortality rates, when 100 people were expected to die given the circumstances, there were actually 116 deaths.

The Dr Foster report says that because this figure is so much higher “chance is an unlikely explanation.”

It has placed the trust’s patient safety score 121st out of the 146 trusts in England – giving it a patient safety summary score of just 17.81 out of a possible 100.

But a spokesman for the trust said they are “frustrated” with the Dr Foster analysis, as the trust has been making progress with patient safety, according to a national campaign. And the hospital’s mortality levels have been falling over the last three years.

She said: “The trust has not received any mortality alerts during the year from quality regulators which are the formal channels to flag any concerns.”

But mortality alerts occur when the odds of dying following a diagnosis or procedure are doubled for a number of groups.

The trust has also questioned the way Dr Foster calculates its Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR), which is used as a benchmark for expected deaths.

The trust’s medical director Steve Mather said: “The Dr Foster HSMR calculation takes its data from that which each hospital provides to the Department of Health.

“That data may not be completely accurate which then calls into question the validity of the calculation.

“A further complicating matter is the secrecy surrounding the methodology used by Dr Foster which does not allow individual trusts to scrutinise their own results.”

But research director and co-founder of Dr Foster, Roger Taylor, said: “We make every effort to check with the hospital trusts the data they supply to us, and to accommodate changes where they have made a mistake.

“Dr Foster has been analysing and publishing mortality data for almost a decade and the methodology has been extensively peer reviewed in academic journals.

“HSMRs are published by the government on the NHS Choices website and used by many leading healthcare organisations around the world.”

But Mr Mather said: “The index does make the trust aware of a potential problem, which is why the hospital has established a mortality group to look at all deaths occurring within the hospital, examining the causes and making recommendations to individual departments.”

Other areas of Warwick Hospital showed good progress according to its own records. No patients have contracted MRSA while in hospital since April 2009, and in the same period there have been 33 cases of C. difficile when its target was 63 or less.

Paul Jennings, chief executive of NHS Warwickshire, said: “South Warwickshire is a good trust and patients can be confident of high quality NHS care when they go there.”

Initiative a success as crime falls

2009-11-19T10:19:00.001Z

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour has been slashed by 46 per cent in a year following the launch of Warwickshire’s Safer Schools initiative.

New figures for the last quarterly report show falls in crime across the board in areas where Safer Schools are in place.

Measured against last year’s figures, the report revealed criminal damage has dropped by 31 per cent and reports of violence are down 24 per cent.

Safer Schools is a partnership initiative between Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council and selected Warwickshire schools, which sees a police community support officer (PCSO) based on the school sites to offer support to pupils and teachers and the local community.

PCSOs are also involved in promoting positive activities to support PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) and citizenship studies, offering advice about personal safety and providing early intervention for students at risk.

David Whitehouse, head of community protection at Warwickshire Police, said: “One year on and we are seeing real benefits to the environment both within schools and the surrounding area.

“There have been some excellent partnership examples proving the success of this innovative scheme, with real impact for our young people in particular”

Safer Schools was launched as a pilot in six Warwickshire schools in September 2008.

Campion School in Leamington was one of six schools chosen to take part.

The schools were chosen based on criteria including location of the school in relation to the community and the need for local support.

The long term goal is to extend the programme to all of the county’s secondary schools.

More schools will become involved this year and then a county-wide roll-out will see school clusters forming with groups of schools working with a full-time PCSO in each area of the county.

This cluster model has already proved to be successful in the delivery of extended services and it is hoped that the two initiatives will continue to be developed side by side.

Warwickshire County Councillor, Izzi Seccombe, portfolio holder for children, young people and families, said: “We have seen the positive effect Safer Schools has made in Warwickshire and I’m
really excited that the programme has been rolled out to more schools in the area.”

Spa Centre future looks brighter

2009-11-19T10:17:00.001Z

THE future of Leamington’s Spa Centre looks brighter after councillors agreed to look at ways to transform the venue.

Warwick District Council’s executive committee met last week to discuss recommendations put forward, which look at the future of the 37-year-old entertainment venue in Newbold Terrace.

Members voted to support the Task and Finish group’s recommendations, which means a detailed business plan will be developed for the venue that looks to find ways to reduce the subsidy currently required.

Last year the Spa Centre had to be subsidised £557,508 by Warwick District Council.

And figures show the centre can lose up to £2,000 each time it hosts a show.

Council officers will also complete a detailed market- testing exercise to consider alternatives for the venue.

Investigations will take place to look at alternative venues which could be used by community groups in the future.

Cllr Susan Gallagher, portfolio holder for culture, said: “Every effort will be made to transform the venue into a more cost-effective operation. This will hopefully be achieved through the introduction of a revised programme of acts and artists and more effective marketing of the venue.”

These actions will be top priority for the Spa Centre’s newly appointed general manager, Antony Flint, who will take the lead in January 2010 after leaving his current post at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.

Cllr Gallagher added: “We are aware of the wide range of community groups currently using the venue and want to assure them that we will retain close communication to understand their needs.

“This information will be vital to enable us to protect the valuable contribution these groups offer the local community.”

The Spa Centre opened in 1972 and includes an 800-seat theatre and a 200-seat cinema.

It hosts productions by local amateur dramatics companies including Leamington and Warwick Musical Society, the Spa Theatre Company and Spa Opera Group.

The National Blood Service also holds drop-in donation sessions.

Kenilworth take-away's late night licence revoked

2009-11-19T10:15:00.002Z

RESIDENTS plagued by rowdy behaviour near a Kenilworth take-away have welcomed a decision to revoke its late night licence.

Warwick District Council has ordered Kenilworth Kebab House, on the corner of Warwick Road and Queens Road, to close early to stop drunks disturbing people nearby.

Councillors made the decision last week after a review of the take-away was called by police following a string of complaints reporting noise, nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

It means the shop must now close at 11pm each night instead of 1.30am.

Complaints were also made about customers being served hot food out of hours. Under its original licence no food was to be consumed off premises after midnight.

Jacob Johnson, aged 56, who lives nearby, said: “It’s about time. There have been problems for over a year. I blame the people going out, getting drunk and making a nuisance of themselves because they have nothing better to do.

“Half the time I don’t think they even want any food. Shutting early hopefully means people will go elsewhere and stop disturbing us.

“I understand when people go out and get drunk, they get loud. I can tolerate that sometimes but it’s happened too often here and a lot of the time it’s not just them being noisy, they can be aggressive too.”

Vanessa Little, 34, who also lives nearby, added: “If the take-away has been serving food later than it should have been, they’ve only got themselves to blame.

“The place just seems to attract trouble. Probably because I think it’s one of the only places that does open so late, it means people automatically go there after a night out.

“I’m glad something’s been done because it can be quite intimidating around there. I wouldn’t like to go there, especially at a weekend.”

A third resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I sometimes wish the take-away wasn’t there at all. I use it occasionally but never late at night. It can be like running a gauntlet to even get there, you could easily get caught up in something.

“I imagine closing early won’t be good for business but if it makes this area a nicer place to live and makes it safer and stops all of this, then I’m glad.”

A council report to last week’s licence review hearing stated: “Warwick District Council has captured CCTV images of persons entering and exiting the premises after midnight on numerous occasions.

“The footage clearly shows on one occasion males leaving the premises with packages after midnight and discarding paper wrappers from the takeaway food onto the pavement.”

David Davies, licensing services manager at Warwick District Council, said: “Three councillors from the licensing committee made the decision.

“The decision was taken mainly because the take-away broke the conditions of their licence on several occasions by serving food later than they should have been.

“They can’t serve food after midnight, but clearly were even after being interviewed by police about it.

“Police asked for a review and presented CCTV evidence showing this and revocation was the decision taken.

“I would think the police will be very pleased with this as they asked for the review and the revocation and that’s what they’ve got.

“The take-away has 21 days to appeal the decision. If they appeal, it will be heard by the magistrates’ court who can decide to uphold the decision made by the council, reject it, add conditions to it, or ask the council to rehear it.”

No-one from Kenilworth Kebab House was available for comment as the Times went to press.

‘Evening all’ a term of the past

2009-11-05T16:58:00.000Z

POLICE officers in Warwickshire are being urged not to use greetings such as “evening” and “afternoon” in case it confuses people from different cultures.

The advice was revealed in the results of a Freedom of Information request to police forces and fire services about the guidance they give their staff on their use of language.

It found that in Warwickshire Police’s handbook Policing Our Communities, issued to every member of its staff, advice is given on communicating with people from different ethnic groups.

Under a section entitled “Communication, Some Do’s & Don’ts” it advises officers on communicating with people from different ethnic groups.

It states: “Don’t assume those words for the time of day, such as afternoon or evening have the same meaning.”

A spokesman said: “Terms such as ‘afternoon’ and ‘evening’ are somewhat subjective in meaning and can vary according to a person’s culture or nationality. In many cultures the term evening is linked to the time of day when people have their main meal.

“In some countries including the UK, the evening meal time is traditionally thought of as being around 5-7pm but this might be different say for a family say from America who might have their main meal earlier and thus for them ‘evening’ may be an earlier time.

“The point is there is an element of subjectivity leading to a variation between cultures that we need to be aware of – taking steps as far as possible to ensure our communication is effective in serving the public.”

Officers are also advised not to use phrases that include black in a negative context, such as ‘black mark’ or ‘black day’.

And they are advised: “Do take care to be patient and reassuring when accent or language hinders communication. Remember, a translator could be useful.”

But critics have said the guidelines lack common sense.

Marie Claire, of the Plain English Campaign, said: “There comes a point when common sense must prevail.

“I have never heard of anyone being confused as to what part of the day it is. When the police need absolute accuracy over when something happened, then I am sure they use the exact time."

Pipe-laying monster is a cut above

2009-11-05T16:57:00.000Z

A HUGE machine has been brought in to try and speed up the pipe-laying operation on the A425 near Leamington.

National Grid hired the cutting machine to chop through the surface of the road after Warwickshire County Council stressed that, as the busiest road in Warwickshire, it cannot remain closed into December and will have to re-open – even if the works have not been completed.

Highways engineers at the county council have also informed National Grid not to go across the Chesford Bridge – instead they are going through the fields to the north of the bridge.

National Grid is also looking at ‘no dig’ techniques for the works on the approach to Kenilworth.

Councillor Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “We have worked closely over the last 12 months bringing sections forward and encouraging them to use no dig techniques to keep disruption to a minimum.

“This is an example of true partnership working. They need to complete the work and we need the disruption kept to a minimum.”

Warwickshire County Council has also been told that National Grid intends to use one of these machines at the other end of the road close to Southam, to reduce traffic disruption there as well.

National Grid project manager, Stan Best, said: “This work is part of a major project to replace a large 18-inch diameter metal main with new, hard-wearing plastic pipe.

“Unfortunately, because of the size of the pipe and its position in the road we cannot work safely while keeping the traffic flowing. Therefore we will have to close this stretch of road while the work is being done.

“Unfortunately roadworks are disruptive, but we are working closely with Warwickshire County Council to keep that disruption to a minimum.

“I would ask motorists to bear with us while we carry out this essential work.”

The work is being carried out by the West Midlands Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and leading utilities company Morgan Est.

The project is part of National Grid’s 30-year programme to improve the safety and reliability of the gas supply network by replacing all metal gas pipes that lie within 30m of property.

Fire protests

2009-11-05T16:56:00.000Z

HUNDREDS of protestors are expected to march through Warwick next month as anger over plans to close the town’s fire station continues to grow.

The march has been organised by independent Warwick district councillor Karen Scarrott who is backing the bid to keep the fire station open following the death of her 14-year-old daughter, Jade, who was killed in a road accident in 2004.

Mrs Scarrott said: “This is the last opportunity for residents to come together and stand united against the proposals.

“There are so many reasons why we need to keep Warwick fire station open. There is the increase in housing development and it goes without saying there is a hospital here.

“I also have a personal interest in this because my daughter, Jade, was killed five years ago in a collision in Leamington. Firefighters were there within minutes.

“From that I know firemen work from the heart, that’s the type of people they are.”

Protestors are set to meet on December 6 at 11.30am at the town’s Racecourse by Hill Close Gardens.

The march to Shire Hall will start at noon, before heading to the fire station in Albert Street.

It is hoped people from all over the country will attend.

Mrs Scarrott added: “I’ve had very positive feedback from Warwickshire, and people from further afield have also said they’ll come along and support us.

“Firefighters do so much for the community. There is also the risk of increased flooding, which firefighters are vital for.

“My house flooded in 1998 which you never would have expected because Warwick is on a hill.

“I’m all for moving with the times, but you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken.

“Firefighters can’t be in two places at once and they shouldn’t be forced to choose between incidents.

“I’m a Warwick girl born and bred. Five generations of my family are Warwickians. The fire station has been in Warwick for years and it is still very much needed.”

MP James Plaskitt is also backing the march.

Last week he met with the chief fire officer, Graeme Smith, to discuss the planned closures.

He said: “I’m concerned by the closures across Warwickshire and I’m keeping in touch with similar campaigns in other areas. But I’m concentrating my efforts on Warwick as it’s within the constituency that I was elected to represent.

“The county councillors need to listen to the concerns of people all over Warwickshire and re-think their plans.

“They seem to be more concerned with saving money than saving lives. I met with the chief fire officer and put some of the many points people have raised with me directly to him. Once again, I did not receive any reassuring answers.”

A final decision on the proposals, which would also see Kenilworth fire station close, is expected to be made by county councillors after the public consultation ends in December.

The month sees the last eight of 19 public meetings take place.

Chief fire officer, Graeme Smith, said: “I hope that I have made it clear to all residents that despite what has been reported, this is a true consultation, which needs the views of Warwickshire residents.”

All responses to the consultation need to be in by the closing date on December 8 in order to be con-
sidered.

Blaze won’t stop the celebrations

2009-10-28T15:45:00.001Z

LEAMINGTON’S Bath Place is celebrating its 150th anniversary next month, despite fire almost destroying the building in September.

A drop-in session is being held at South Lodge, Jephson Gardens, opposite the Pump Rooms on November 3 to commemorate the opening of Bath Place National Schools in 1859.

Many children in early Victorian England never went to school and more than half never learned to read or write.

Churches eventually started to run Sunday Schools, followed by day schools, and by the end of Queen Victoria’s reign, all children under 12 had to go to school.

In 1822, a school was founded in Church Lane, Leamington, and later transferred to Kenilworth Street in 1829.

Ten years later, half of the pupils were moved to the old workhouse in Court Street and in 1846 the Kenilworth Street site closed.

In 1851, the Court Street site was also closed and the school moved to temporary accommodation in Clemens Street.

Finally, in 1859 the National Schools opened in Bath Place as Leamington Priors All Saints Church of England Junior and Infants School.

The year after the school closed in 1973, Bath Street Community Venture was established in Bath Place, with the aim of helping local people access support, information and education they could not get elsewhere.

The Venture remained in Bath Place until September this year when fire destroyed much of the historical building.

A week of celebrations had been planned to take place in October but had to be postponed.

But at the drop-in session on November 3, visitors will be able to sign a memory book, add their name to a petition to restore services after the fire and visit the Victorian schoolroom at the lodge.

There will also be the chance to contribute to the Bath Place com-munity archive project, Moving Times.

The event runs from 9.30am to 7pm, with
refreshments provided by the award-winning Veggie Table Cafe.

New chief refuting claims on cut plans

2009-10-28T15:43:00.000Z

WARWICKSHIRE’S fire chief has hit out at accusations that the Fire and Rescue Service Improvement Plan is just about saving money.

If the Improvement Plan goes ahead, seven fire stations across the county will close and up to 100 firefighters could lose their jobs.

Concerns have been raised about the DNV report, an independent risk assessment, including the costs which would be saved by the Improvement Plan proposals.

But chief fire officer, Graeme Smith, said that if the savings aren’t made, money cannot be reinvested into things such as more training to carry out community fire safety activities including carrying out safety checks on smoke alarms.

He added: “I know that residents have concerns about the proposals and I do understand why they are focusing on what is happening to their local station. However, I would urge people to think carefully about the whole plan and understand that we have to invest in our firefighters, community fire safety activities and new equipment, in order to make our communities safer.

“Many of our current ways of working were shaped over 50 years ago when Warwickshire was a different place. Threats and hazards have changed since then; which means that we also need to change if we are to properly protect the county’s residents.

“The proposed closure of any
station is obviously a huge step and at this stage, that is what they are – proposals. I want to assure com-
munities that their voice will be
listened to, but equally I would like them to look at the impact on the Fire and Rescue Service if we don’t make the changes towards becoming a fitter, stronger, Fire and Rescue Service.”

Portfolio Holder for Community
Protection, Councillor Richard Hobbs, added: “We understand and acknowledge these proposals will present
difficult decisions and there are local fears about what is going to happen in the area they live. I would like to reassure residents their views are being listened to and will be considered as part of the consultation process.

“However, as portfolio holder for community protection, it is my aim to protect our firefighters and the people of Warwickshire. This cannot be achieved if we do not modernise the service to tackle the incidents our communities now face.”

Around 5000 have already signed a petition to save Warwick Fire Station, with another 2000 joining the Facebook group.

There is still plenty of time to have your say about the Improvement Plan proposals. Consultation meetings are being held around the county including at the town hall, on The Parade in Leamington at 7pm on November 3 and in the Graham Adams Centre, St James Road, Southam on November 12 at 7pm.

Leamington's Spa Centre could close

2009-10-28T15:42:00.000Z

LEAMINGTON’S loss-making Spa Centre will close its doors for good unless residents start visiting it, a district councillor has warned.

The 37-year-old venue in Newbold Terrace had to be subsidised £557,508 by Warwick District Council last year.

It can lose up to £2,000 every time it hosts a show.

And now the district council, which owns the building, is considering shutting the centre to help it make planned savings of £1.6million by 2013.

Councillor Susan Gallagher, the district councillor responsible for culture, said: “The decision is nowhere near definite but it is an option that’s been looked at.

“Everybody is trying to save money – life is tough; it’s no different for councils.

“A group of councillors looked at the costs and expenses of a lot of things and how taxpayer’s money is being used.

“It’s true the theatre is making a loss but most community theatres do.

“I personally will be fighting like crazy to keep it open. Leamington needs a theatre. But people must go and use the venue.

“To the people complaining that it might shut, I would ask them, ‘When is the last time you went?’ I want people to go to the theatre and see the tremendous work it does.”

The Spa Centre opened in 1972 and includes an 800-seat theatre and a 200-seat cinema.

It hosts productions by local amateur dramatics companies including Leamington and Warwick Musical Society, the Spa Theatre Company and Spa Opera Group.

The National Blood Service also holds drop-in donation sessions.

Cllr Gallagher added: “We have a great programme of events coming up; for example the Ice Show is stunning. But we need people to go.

“Cultural things may be something people don’t have to go to, but it is very nice to go out and it’s not too expensive. I will do all I can to save the Spa Centre. I’m a local person, I use the centre and a great variety of shows go on there featuring highly talented people.

“The people working at the centre do a great job, they don’t want to see it closed.

“We desperately need the Spa Centre in Leamington. If we lose it, we’ll never get it back.”

But the group of councillors identified a number of problems with the centre, including the design of the building and an overall lack of a defined role the venue should play.

A list of possible options for the centre’s future has been drawn up, including closing the centre and
redeveloping the area into a hotel and conference centre, transferring the centre to a trust or closing the centre, selling the land and rebuilding on another site.

The committee also emphasised the need to consult widely with the public before any decisions are made.

A spokesperson for Warwick District Council said: “A report has been presented to the Executive outlining different options. Closing the centre isn’t the only option, although if the centre doesn’t bring in money it will have to be considered.

“A group of councillors put the report together and at the minute, we’re just asking for councillors to comment on them.

“No decision has been made and won’t be for a while.”

Plaskitt ordered to pay back £112

2009-10-23T10:35:00.001+01:00

LEAMINGTON and Warwick MP James Plaskitt has been ordered to pay back £112 – following an independent review of MPs’ expenses claims.

An inquiry was carried out by Sir Thomas Legg, appointed by the House of Commons to review all expenses made by MPs over the last five years.

As well as looking at second home allowances, Mr Legg said all expenses claims should only be made for the performance of Parliamentary duties, should not be excessive and should be “value for money.”

The £112 Mr Plaskitt has been asked to pay back is for a payment the fees office inadvertently made twice in 2004.

He has also been asked to supply mortgage statements to Sir Thomas, so the auditor can double check claims for mortgage interest.

Mr Plaskitt said: “I welcome this process, which should help close the debate on our old discredited allowances system. I will fully comply with the auditor’s requests.

“The double payment of one amount in 2004 was, in the auditor’s view, an error by the Common’s administration, not me. But I will, of course, repay it anyway, without question.

“I already knew my mortgage claim was wrong in 2004/05. It was corrected at the time, and I repaid £900. I will let the auditor have the documents he is requesting as quickly as I can. If there was any more over-claim, then, of course, I will repay the amount without question.”

All of his other expenses claims have been cleared.

Jeremy Wright, Rugby and Kenilworth MP, has not revealed Sir Thomas Legg’s recommendations, but said: “I am happy to co-operate with Sir Thomas Legg’s review.

“It is clear that his provisional conclusions have been reached without sight of some significant information, which I will supply to him as soon as I can.

“My constituents have been able to see what I have claimed and they can see that I have done nothing extravagant or dishonest.”

Fire station closures will increase risk

2009-10-23T10:32:00.000+01:00

A RISK assessment of the proposed closure of seven Warwickshire fire stations has finally been made public – and it reveals that average response times will increase if the plans are approved.

The risk analysis report by consultants Det Norske Veritas was presented to Warwickshire County Council’s cabinet in July.

Up until now, the document has not been made available to members of the public because it was believed to be too complex.

But it has now been posted on Warwickshire County Council’s website for the public to access.

The aim of the risk review is to provide an independent assessment of the risks of the nine improvement objectives put forward by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue, including flooding response, small fires unit, duty systems and resources and false alarm attendance policy.

And it revealed that there will be an impact on the average response time, if the proposals are given the go-ahead.

While the review says the service will continue to meet emergency response standards of 10 minutes for urban call-outs and 20 minutes for rural call-outs, it said there will be an 18 second increase in average response times, which will increase fire and road accident risks.

The report said that this would require “careful management of change.”

It concluded: “Objective one increases risk, but this is outweighed by the significant cost saving.”

It also said there would be a large reduction in call-outs for false alarms, reducing wear and tear, fuel consumption and road accident risk because, under the proposals, there will be no attendance at automatic fire alarms without human confirmation of a fire.

However, the fire brigade will still respond to automatic fire alarms at defined premises that are slow to evacuate, such as hospitals and care homes.

But the risk analysis said there would be a “slower response to fires detected automatically and a consequent increase in fire damage risk”.

The study concluded that the overall package of improvements would be beneficial.

But it said there were some uncertainties in the proposals because it had been completed over a short timescale and makes use of national calculations of the effects of response times, instead of local models.

The proposals are also based on fire statistics from 2006/07 and fire damage costs from 2004, instead of using more recent data which the analysis said would “have a small impact because fire frequencies have reduced but costs have increased.”

Warwick and Leamington MP James Plaskitt, who is continuing his campaign to stop the fire station closures, said: “The secret internal report shows this is a hurried cost-cutting exercise which carries significant risk to the community.

“It’s shocking that the council has been trying to hide this evidence throughout the consultation, and instead set out a deliberately misleading prospectus.”

Mr Plaskitt also arranged a meeting with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Warwick firefighter Ben Cleminson to raise concerns about the proposals.

He added: “I continue to be inundated with support for my campaign to save Warwick Fire Station. The petition is now at 6,000 and still growing.

“Now we can add the occupant at 10 Downing Street to the list. Having listened to what Ben had to say, the Prime Minister has asked me to keep him briefed on the progress of my campaign.”

Post strike hits Warwickshire

2009-10-23T10:31:00.000+01:00

USINESS and educations leaders in Wawickshire have condemned the national post strike for the devastating impact it will cause.

The strike, which will cripple Christmas deliveries and could cost the economy £1.5billion, looked set to go ahead despite last-ditch talks.

Local business leaders say it must be stopped and education bosses are warning it could cost children a place at their preferred secondary school.

Bosses from the Communication Workers Union announced plans for the national strike last week.

As the Times went to press, mail centre staff and drivers were planning to walk out for 24 hours tomorrow.

Delivery and collection staff were also planning to stage a 24 hour strike on Friday as part of a bitter dispute over pay, conditions and modernisation.

A series of strikes have already been held in Leamington, with distribution workers at Priory Terrace walking out and postal workers in Warwick refusing to work overtime.

But business leaders are warning a national strike will have a devastating effect.

Bruce Undy, chairman of the Warwickshire and Coventry branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “At a time when small businesses are cutting costs and doing all they can to keep afloat during the recession, the postal strikes can have a disastrous impact on their cash flow.

“FSB research shows that small businesses find it difficult to find an alternative carrier to Royal Mail because of their smaller mailing volumes.”

A spokesman for the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce added: “The previous postal delays have already hurt small businesses as well as major companies. Many are already finding it a struggle. Striking will solve nothing, it will just hurt them even more, especially in the run up to Christmas which is a vital time for them.

“The union and Royal Mail need to continue talks until they work something out which will avoid a national strike.”

A national strike could also mean children in Warwickshire fail to get a place at their preferred secondary school.

Forms listing favoured schools need to be posted to Warwickshire County Council by the end of the month.

But the Local Government Association has warned a national post strike will “throw the system into disarray” and mean parents could have to courier letters to the council or drop them off themselves.

To try and ease the problem, Warwickshire County Council has extended its deadline from October 23 to October 30, but parents will have to prove they posted their form before October 23.

There could also be delays for people across the county who receive benefits and pensions by post.

A spokesman for the Department for Working Pensions said: “Only two per cent of people nationwide receive theirs by post so the vast majority of people won’t be affected.

“But for those who are, we have contingency plans in place. Couriers will take cheques to local post offices for people to pick them up from.”

South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust has also put plans in place in case of a strike.

Mark Rowlands, hotel services manager, said: “If the postal strikes were to take place, the Trust has
arrangements with Royal Mail to ensure that there is limited disruption to the service.

“If the strikes were to continue for longer periods of time and Royal Mail couldn’t continue with the contingency arrangements then we would seek alternative suppliers.”

Royal Mail has condemned the national strike as “appalling and unjustified”.

But union leaders say they have tried to stop the strike and said they were concerned about Royal Mail’s plans to bring in 300,000 temps to keep mailing moving during the strikes.

A spokesman for CWU said: “We’re disappointed that Royal Mail appears to be more interested in sidelining the views and concerns of its staff than reaching an agreement to bring this dispute to an end.

“CWU remains available for talks to avoid a strike.”

New home found for blaze-hit centre

2009-10-15T12:35:00.000+01:00

NEW home has been found for Bath Place Community Venture after it was virtually destroyed by fire last month.

Venture bosses received confir-mation yesterday that the Leamington project will be able to move into Warwickshire College’s old library building – for the next six months.

The old library building, in York Road, used to be the girl’s school and arts college, but has been
unused for months, and is in need of a face-lift.

The Venture estimates it will take four to six weeks to bring the building back to life, before they can open from it, and start running their services as normal.

Claire Glasbey, marketing and events manager, said: “We are very excited about our move to the library as this allows a beautiful building to return to community use, and provides us with some fantastic space for new and exciting opportunities.

“But while this work is in progress, we will be unable to provide public access to the building until this is complete.”

A new home has also been found for Bath Place nursery, which is currently being run from Shrubland Street Primary School.

And plans to run a mobile catering unit to allow the Veggie Cafe to continue are also being investigated.

Fire swept through the Bath Place building on September 24 when work was being carried out on the roof. Around 50 people had to be evacuated. More than 30 groups used to be run from the Venture, which regularly saw up to 900 people a week come through the door.

No work has been carried out on the building since the fire, and it is not yet known whether or not it will be rebuilt.

The Venture is also asking for donations of any unwanted furniture, such as meeting room
furniture, that they could use in their new home. Call 01926 338 421 if you have something to
donate.

A Facebook group has also been set up for people to keep up to date with progress – just log in and search for Bath Place Community Venture.

Theatre forced to stop using children

2009-10-15T12:34:00.000+01:00

A LEAMINGTON theatre company has been forced to stop using children in its productions because of new child protection measures put forward by the government.

The trustees of the Loft Theatre Company, in Victoria Colonnade, have decided not to use under-18s in future plays because of the recently proposed vetting and barring scheme.

And current legislation has also forced the theatre to stop using under-16s.

Michael Rayns, chairman of the Loft Theatre Company, said: “We took two decisions. The first was dealing with existing law that relates to people up to the age of 16.

“We took the decision not to use under-16s because of the bureaucracy we are currently faced with. At the minute, under-16s have to be accompanied everywhere by a chaperone.

“The chaperones also have to have CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks. That’s even if they already
have had a check and are, for example, teachers.

“This is just crazy, mad and stupid and we don’t want to play those games.

“The second is to do with the new vetting and barring system that relates to children under-18. No-one can tell us what the rules are.

“I tried to ask the Independent Safeguarding Agency but they said they don’t know yet.

“When the regulations come out, they will come from three different government organisations and I’m just not interested. To be involved with all three would be a nightmare. It would be madness.”

From next year, employees who have regular contact with children must register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority – a new vetting agency that will check the backgrounds of an estimated 11.3million people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Detailed guidance has not yet been published but the theatre company said it feared everyone, from its stage carpenter and barman, would have to be screened before they were allowed to work alongside youngsters.

Mr Rayns added: “We don’t use vast numbers of children in our productions but some productions do call for a child. We couldn’t stage Macbeth and we can’t do a Winter’s Tale without a child.

“It actually does have quite an impact. It’s insane. I don’t think the new rules were intended to stop children in the theatre but it will have that effect.

“If people are prepared to go along with the new rules, it’s up to them. We’re not.”

A review of the proposals is currently taking place after concerns were raised that parents who take children to sports matches would be included in the measures.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The new Vetting and Barring Scheme will mean everyone working or volunteering in a supervisory role with children will have to be checked to ensure they do not pose a risk. We believe this is a common sense approach and what parents would expect.

“In recognition of the fantastic contribution that volunteers make to our community, this check will be free for those undertaking unpaid work.”

Plans to replace Leamington’s Loft Theatre with restaurants and offices were approved by Warwick District Council last week.

The theatre company plans to move from its current home in Victoria Colonnade to the former United
Reformed Church in Spencer Street next year.

The church, a grade II listed building, will be able to host productions with other companies, as well as classical music, opera, dance and film events.

Violence drops by one third

2009-10-15T12:32:00.000+01:00

REPORTS of domestic violence in Warwickshire have dropped by one third, new figures show.

Between April and August 2009, 269 fewer people (31 per cent) reported a physical domestic assault to police.

Police say the drop is due partly to more protection being available to victims.

Detective Chief Inspector James Essex, who heads up Warwickshire’s Domestic Abuse Unit, said: “Domestic related violence – a major cause of harm – has been massively reduced as a result of effective police and partnership action and greater protection for victims is now being delivered.”

DCI Essex said the contribution that domestic abuse makes to Warwickshire’s overall violence figures has fallen from 30 per cent to 26 per cent.

DCI Essex added: “Domestic abuse whether physical, emotional, financial or sexual is totally unacceptable.

“We are taking positive action in every case and arresting abusers wherever possible.

“All incidents are managed by the duty inspector. The incident cannot be closed until that officer is satisfied with the service provided.

“Significant improvements have been made by police and partners to increase protection to
victims from harm in Warwickshire. This includes increased staffing in the Domestic Abuse Unit, improved officer and staff training, vigorous incident monitoring and review processes, investigative improvements, and an expanded referrals desk.

“We now monitor and review all domestic abuse incidents reported daily at a tasking meeting bringing together senior officers from all areas of the force.

“This allows us to intervene more quickly and more effectively where needed, thereby reducing the number of incidents as a whole, including possible repeat offences against the same individual.”

An ongoing campaign is taking place in Warwickshire to try and combat domestic violence across the county.

Sue Ingram, domestic abuse manager at Warwickshire County Council, said: “There is a huge amount of positive work being done in the county to encourage people who are being abused to come forward and seek help and to deter abusers encouraging them to take responsibility for their behaviour.

“To be abused by someone you love or care about can have a devastating effect on people who do not know who to talk to about what is happening to them. That is why Warwickshire Police is working alongside 30 other public services and voluntary agencies including Warwickshire County Council as Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse to encourage victims of domestic abuse to talk to someone.

“We hope this campaign has encouraged more people to seek help and change their situation.”

For more details about domestic abuse services in Warwickshire visit www.talk2someone.org.uk or call 0800 408 1552.

Police are heading towards crime cut

2009-10-07T16:26:00.001+01:00

ATTEMPTS to cut crime in Warwickshire have been given a boost with the launch of headcams to catch offenders in action.

Following an initial pilot, 32 headcams have been bought by Warwickshire Police to help officers gather evidence of crimes taking place.

Last year, the force trialled the new technology in Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth, Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Officers used the cameras to accumulate evidence to support prosecutions for incidents such as domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour and public disorder.

The pilot scheme proved successful in increasing protection to communities and the 32 new headcams will now be distributed across the force for use.

The Body Worn Video equipment records images and sound that can then be replayed.

The evidence recorded on the equipment is submissible in court and magistrates can see an individual’s behaviour in real time. The headcams self adjust for light and officers cannot edit anything on the recorder.

Chief Inspector Martin McNevin, who headed up the pilot scheme, said: “This is excellent news for the people of Warwickshire.

“The implementation and use of Body Worn Video equipment is seen as a positive step in securing evidence and information, to increase the level of protection that we afford our communities from harm.

“This technology is evolving rapidly and although we already have had some experience using headcams where they have proved valuable, we now have good technology to gather information throughout the county.

“We are hoping that the overt use of recording equipment will be a real deterrent to any potential offenders who we expect will modify their behaviour as soon as they see the cameras.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to increase the level of protection to our communities in Warwickshire and we will be encouraging officers to use the headcams as often as possible.”

Post office battle continues

2009-10-07T16:25:00.000+01:00

ATTEMPTS to reopen a post office branch in Leamington are continuing despite initial proposals being rejected.

The Milverton branch was shut last year as part of a raft of post offices closures which also saw the West Street branch in Warwick shut.

Warwick District Council had launched a bid to try and incorporate a new post office counter into a revamp of its Riverside House building.

But Post Office Ltd has told the council it will not agree to the plans, saying the re-introduction of post office services in Milverton would be to the “detriment” of the remaining post offices in the area.

The new development at Riverside House will see a Citizens Advice Bureau, police, Credit Union, Warwickshire County Council and the District Council all under one roof.

And after significant work by council officers and Cllr Les Caborn, portfolio holder for customer and information services, the council had ensured that space for a post office facility was also part of the plans.

Cllr Caborn said: “This is obviously very disappointing news especially as the council was prepared to help with the funding to bring back this valuable community amenity. However, I’m determined that the pressure will continue on Post Offices Ltd and will ensure that should the Post Office see sense, space will be available at Riverside House.”

The campaign to reopen the Milverton post office branch has been backed by MP James Plaskitt who said he wasn’t convinced of the case for closing the branch.

In March, he sent out a survey to all Milverton residents asking how they had been affected by the closure of their branch and launched an online petition to save the post office.

But Mr Plaskitt said the council should be doing more to try and ensure the Milverton post office is eventually reopened.

He added: “Leaving an empty space and waiting for something to happen isn’t going to solve the problem.

“The Riverside House location was a good option but it sounds like the council has now given up.”

Fire bosses accused of covering up real number of Warwick incidents

2009-10-07T16:23:00.000+01:00

FIRE bosses were accused of failing to reveal the real number of incidents attended by Warwick fire station during a heated public meeting to discuss fire service cuts.

About 100 concerned residents
attended Myton School on Monday to protest over plans put forward by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue
Service to axe jobs and close seven stations, including Warwick.

Among the protestors was MP James Plaskitt whose petition to save Warwick fire station has already been signed by more than 5,000 people.

He said: “That so many people have signed the petition shows the strength of feeling there is.”

But the Warwick and Leamington MP also accused the fire service of putting the wrong information in the consultation documents.

Mr Plaskitt, who lives in Warwick, said: “There is a section in the consultation document showing statistics of activity levels at the station, and in
respect of Warwick, it says that over the last five years there were 1,231 incidents But I’ve been in to the fire station and gone through the log books and counted 2,026 incidents. Warwick
fire station is the busiest retained fire station in the south of the county. Can you explain that?”

Glen Ranger, the county’s deputy chief fire officer, defended the figures and said the fire service wasn’t trying to hide anything. He added: “I should imagine the figures were the number of incidents on Warwick ground, not the number they attended altogether.

“We’ll look into it, it won’t change the plans but it’s not something we’re trying to keep a secret.”

Residents also raised concerns about the pressure that would be put on Leamington fire station if Warwick fire station was to close.

Tim Griffiths, of Myton Road, said the towns were only linked by two bridges, which were heavily con-
gested at peak times. And other residents said the area would need more fire cover in the coming years, not less, as thousands of new homes are due to be built.

But Mr Ranger insisted there was “no issue” with the number of
incidents Leamington would have to attend.

“It is an easily manageable number,” he said. “We will still be able to attend fires in Warwick from Leamington in the same time as we do now from Warwick –
that’s 10 minutes for urban areas and
20 minutes for non-urban areas.

“We don’t see an increase in call-outs from Leamington because we intend to respond to a third less calls, which are hoax calls. At the minute, 35 per cent of calls are false alarms which is a massive drain.

“We are professional firefighters and are not going to make proposals that would put lives at risk.”

The new chief fire office for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service was also called on to have his say.

Graeme Smith, who took over the top job from Paul Fuller on Monday, said: “It’s important to understand that there are some good things in the
proposals. But there is an impact, there’s no getting away from that.

“Fires are very difficult things, they are horrendous.

“We’re proposing to shift money from response to prevention – it’s
difficult to do everything all at once.

“It is a dilemma – we’re looking at things globally and trying to do the best we can.

“But it’s right for residents to look at things from a Warwick point of view. We’ll look at them together and see what we can do.”

Another public consultation is taking place on October 14 at Kenilworth School and Sports College starting at 6.30pm.

Plans to change pub into Tesco given go ahead

2009-10-01T09:50:00.000+01:00

PLANS to convert a pub in Lillington into a Tesco store have been given the go-ahead despite strong opposition from residents.

Warwick District Council met last week and agreed to allow a 40 square metre extension to the Walnut Tree pub, in Crown Way, which will turn the boarded up building into a Tesco Express store.

Because of planning laws, changing the use of a pub into a shop the size of a Tesco Express store does not require planning permission.

But consent was required for the retailer to make changes or extensions to the building and install equipment.

Tesco said the new store will boost local business as it will encourage more people to come to the area.

A spokesman added: “The store will be an efficient use of urban land.

“It will provide a valuable and high quality service to local residents and will be a major visual improvement to the site.

“It will also provide 30 jobs for local people.”

But hundreds of people have spent months campaigning against the proposals.

Since Tesco bought the store in May, more than 3,000 people signed a petition against the plans and a Facebook group supporting the Save the Walnut Tree campaign gathered the support of more than 250 people.

Campaign leader Gary Timlin said the decision will rip the heart out of the community.

He said: “It was our community centre and an important place to meet up and there’s now nowhere for people to go.

“A lot of councillors were saying they opposed it but when it came to a show of hands there was only a few who had the nerve to stand up to the bullies.’’

Leamington Town Council had objected to the
application but Warwick District Council planners had recommended it be passed.

Councillors approved the application but stipulated delivery times for lorries accessing the site must avoid the school run.

Battle to save fire stations continues

2009-10-01T09:49:00.003+01:00

A SERIES of public meetings are being held as the fight continues against plans to axe seven fire stations in Warwickshire.

Dozens of firefighters face losing their jobs
under radical proposals put forward by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.

If the plans are given the go-ahead, Warwick and Kenilworth stations would close and up to 100 retained firefighters across the county would lose their jobs.

More than 1,500 people have already signed
petitions to save the fire stations, led by Warwick and Leamington MP James Plaskitt, and now a
series of meetings are planned at individual fire
stations in October and November.

Mr Plaskitt said he first became aware of a plan to cut back on fire stations in 2007 and again in July 2008 but was assured there was no threat to Warwick station.

But he added: “Finally, we have been told the truth. The county council have proposed closing Warwick fire station, leaving just one station to cover Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth.

“With only two bridges linking Leamington and Warwick, both of which can get quite congested at peak times, this strikes me as an incredibly dangerous plan.”

Mr Plaskitt joined firefighters outside Warwick’s Sainsbury’s supermarket last weekend to collect more names on his petition.

Eva Haskins, who has lived in Warwick for 85 years, was angry at the plans to shut the town’s fire station.

She said: “We’ve always known the fire
station was there if we needed it.

“It would take much longer for fire engines to reach us from Leamington.

“And what about all those firemen who’ve
given years of service? Are they just going to throw them on the scrapheap?”

Mr Plaskitt has set up a Facebook group called Save Warwick Fire Station which currently has more than 1,000 members.

One member labelled the plans as “madness” and another said: “What’s the point of even thinking about closing the fire station? At the end of the day they save lives and help the community. If we get rid of the fire station there is more of a chance there would be nothing left of people’s homes, there could even be deaths because it will take twice as long for the fire services to get to the emergency.”

Rugby and Kenilworth MP Jeremy Wright is fighting plans to close Kenilworth fire station.

He said: “Kenilworth is a town of sufficient size to merit its own fire station and the reasons for keeping it are psychological as well as operational.

“People in the town feel safer with their own fire station.”

It costs about £205,000 a year to fund Warwick and Kenilworth stations but fire bosses and council representatives insist the plans are not a bid to cut costs in the fire service’s £25million-a-year budget.

A 12-week consultation questionnaire about the plans has been issued to the public.

The public meetings take place at Warwick fire station on October 5 at 6.30pm and Leamington fire station on November 3 from 6.30pm.

We will rise from the ashes

2009-10-01T09:49:00.001+01:00

A COMMUNITY centre in Leamington almost destroyed by fire will rise again from the ashes, its director has vowed.

Steve Baylis fears Bath Place Community Venture will be impossible to rebuild but believes the swift and generous levels of support will see full services at the popular centre
restored in the future.

A blaze swept through the venue, in Bath Place, just before 3pm on September 24.

Mums and toddlers had to be led to safety as eight fire crews were called to tackle the blaze at the former
Victorian school.

Leamington-based crew manger Andy Corbett told the Times: “There was smoke and flames issuing from 50 per cent of the property. Smoke could be seen from half a mile away so I immediately called for back up.

“We then had crews from Warwick, Kenilworth, Southam, Rugby,
Nuneaton and Atherstone, together with an hydraulic platform from Leamington and a command support unit from Atherstone.

“There was a huge pall of smoke over Leamington and it took about two hours to bring the fire under control.”

The full extent of the damage and the length of time until the centre can reopen will not be known until safety inspectors, insurers and surveyors have assessed the building.

But Mr Baylis said it’s likely the building has been so badly damaged it will be impossible to rebuild.

He added: “The fire was a real blow, a real loss. It’s just devastating.

“The bottom line is the building could be a complete write-off. The fire has taken out the back end which
included the main hall and the IT suite.

“The cafe and the main office were water damaged – the only part that remained was the nursery. That only had slight smoke damage.”

The community centre has managed to secure a temporary base in Court Street while investigations continue and work to get its services up and running again has already begun.

Services provided by the centre
include the Veggie Table cafe, a
nursery, opportunities to volunteer, computer courses, English and
history for speakers of other languages and venue hire.

Shrubland Street Primary School has offered rooms for the nursery to use.

And Warwick District Council has said it will let Venture and the neighbouring African Caribbean
Centre move into the town hall for at least six months for a peppercorn rent of £1 a month.

Mr Baylis said: “The offers of
support have been great. We’ve
literally got nothing and when we’ve told people that they’ve been really, really good. There’s so much goodwill.

“Our main priority is to find a base. We’re here for the next couple of weeks but then we need a semi-
permanent home. We’re keen to be in the Old Town area and we’ve already had some offers.

“We need our independence and we need to be flexible.

“At the minute we’re just dealing with day-to-day things but then we’ll be getting our services started again and we’ll look to see how we develop from there. We want to get our youth projects and IT classes back up and running.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but we’re doing everything we can to move forward.”

Staycation boost for Warwickshire attractions

2009-09-10T15:40:00.000+01:00

TWO of Warwickshire’s top tourist attractions enjoyed the busiest August bank holiday weekend in history because of the recession.

Staycationing, or holidaying at home, has sparked a huge surge in visitors to historical properties across the country, with English Heritage reporting a 28 per cent increase in visitors to its properties in the first three weeks of August.

The organisation, which looks after and promotes a number of England’s historical properties, said overall visitor numbers are up by more than a quarter since April in comparison to last year.

The newly-created Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle – originally created for Queen Elizabeth I by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester – resulted in double the number of visitors this summer compared to last.

And Warwick Castle is among medieval sites across Britain which have experienced a revival, which has been
partly put down to Merlin mania sweeping the country following the BBC television series.

Around £1million has been spent on a new dungeon attraction at the castle.
Visitors to the medieval dungeon are greeted by fake blood, while guides demonstrate how prisoners used to have their tongues ripped out.

Sue Kemp, general manager of the castle, said it’s seen double digit growth.

She added: “We’re making the most of it as inevitably the markets will change and people will start going abroad again.”

Warwickshire’s attractions are also seeing an increasing number of visitors from a variety of different countries.

Elliott Frisby, of VisitBritain, said: “For the first six months of this year overall visitors were down nine per cent because the recession badly hit business tourism but holiday visitors are holding up well and are up four per cent.”

Visitors from Austria are up 55 per cent, Germany 44 per cent, France 24 per cent and Portugal 23 per cent.

Mr Frisby added: “They are not just travelling to London but all over the UK to historical properties.”

Energy firm jobs under threat

2009-09-10T15:39:00.000+01:00

JOBS at the National Grid in Warwick could be under threat, with unions fearing hundreds of cuts as part of plans to save millions of pounds.

National Grid has written to the GMB union saying it is reviewing its shared services operations in the UK, and has to find a minimum saving of £7 million by 2010/11 at its Warwick, Northampton and Newcastle sites.

And in its letter to the union, the firm said that the savings would involve job losses.

GMB said options put forward by National Grid as part of the review include consulting on redundancies and outsourcing work to another contractor.

Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary for energy, said: “This is a shameful example of corporate
greed that a hugely profitable UK business is threatening to sack loyal and dedicated staff. Hundreds of jobs are at risk at these three locations.

“This is despite recording profits of £3billion, and guaranteeing large bonuses to directors, and an eight per cent return to shareholders. Despite the profitability of National Grid, unions and staff have been working to identify savings to help secure jobs.

“Over £3 million in savings have been identified, and although the process has not yet been completed, senior management have now indicated that this will not be enough, and jobs will go.”

The letter comes as members of the GMB and Unison at the firm’s site in Newcastle upon Tyne announced plans to stage a 24-hour strike on Friday, after voting in favour of industrial action over plans to outsource work – which the unions believe will lead to job losses at the firm’s offices in Warwick and Northampton.

It is expected that more than 180 workers will rally in the city centre to voice their opposition to the company’s plans.

Mike Jeram, national officer of Unison, said: “Unison members have sent a very clear message to the company.

“When the company says they have not made a decision on the future of the Newcastle operation, their employees do not believe them.

“This is a tremendous vote in favour of industrial action, and it is time for the company to seriously start negotiating.”

A National Grid spokesman said: “We have a duty to make sure we are delivering our services to customers as efficiently and effectively as possible. Therefore we have been reviewing our internal support services right across the company.

“We have always said that National Grid has shared services functions at Northampton and Warwick which are subject to this review. But this is just one department, and the review of shared services does not
affect the majority of staff working at those sites.

“We recognise that these are sensitive times for employees, and we are supporting our staff in every way we can. No final decision has yet been made about the way forward. We have not taken any decisions to outsource any services, or close any location.”

Rail station for Kenilworth moves closer

2009-09-10T15:37:00.000+01:00

A NEW railway station in Kenilworth could be up and running in just thee years after the official signing of the deal to approve plans took place this week.

The old Kenilworth station closed in 1965 but the town’s population has since grown by 40 per cent, with commuters having to drive to Warwick, Coventry or Leamington to catch a train.

It is hoped the station will be completed in 2012 after the official agreement was signed by Councillor Peter Barnes, chairman of Warwickshire County Council and Andy Parson, head of rail at John Laing, who successfully tendered for the work.

The official signing has been welcomed by councillors who say it will not only boost tourism and the economy but give residents more travel options.

Councillor Alan Cockburn (Con, Kenilworth St John’s) and environment portfolio holder for Warwickshire County Council said: “I’m thrilled about it.

“This will give residents a choice and will be very popular with commuters.

“There are 15,000 people of working age but only 5,000 jobs in Kenilworth. That means 10,000
people commute and the roads are often grid-locked.

“The station will be so near the town centre, it will help regenerate the town.”

Councillor John Whitehouse (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey) said: “There will be two major benefits for Kenilworth – it will link the town to the outside world and also bring people in. English Heritage are very pleased, as it will encourage more people to come in to see the castle and to come in for work, leisure and entertainment reasons.”

John Laing was chosen by Shire Hall earlier in the year from a shortlist of two. Warwickshire County Council awarded a 20-year contract to
the infrastructure specialists as part of a larger project to improve rail services on the Nuneaton-to-Leamington line.

Mr Parson said: “Hopefully the station will be completed by October 2012.

“We’re very pleased to be working with Warwickshire County Council. It builds on our previous success when we built Coleshill Parkway station in 2007.”

Campaign group A Station for Kenilworth (ASK) has been calling for plans to be get the go-ahead for the last five years.

Spokesman Graham Hyde said: “This is a really important move in getting the project through to com-pletion. Having it finished in 2012 is more optimistic than I was hoping, I was expecting 2013 but if it can be down in 2012 that sounds good to me.

“We’re particularly happy that the preferred site is in the middle of town. A lot of new stations that are being built are parkway stations on the outskirts of towns which people have to drive to, which seems pointless.

“Having a station in the middle is a fantastic opportunity for people to walk to it. A large percentage of
the town would be able to walk to the station in ten minutes.

“It gives people another option to commute and will also encourage people to come into Kenilworth in the evening and sample the nightlife and restaurants.”

A third of mums-to-be in Warwickshire continue smoking throughout their pregnancy

2009-09-02T15:55:00.000+01:00

ONE in three pregnant smokers are putting their unborn baby’s life at risk by failing to quit the
habit.

Between April 2008 and March 2009, 247 pregnant women across Warwickshire tried to give up smoking through the NHS.

But a report from NHS Stop Smoking Services found that just 41 percent of them successfully quit, with 35 per cent failing to give up the habit.

The rest of the results were unknown.

Smoking during pregnancy means a baby is more likely to be born prematurely, have a low birth weight, poor lung function and smaller organs.

Smoking also increases the chance of miscarriage and morning sickness.

Jane Wright, manager of NHS Warwickshire’s Stop Smoking Service, said: “We want to help women to stop smoking as early as possible in their pregnancy but to do this they need support and to be able to talk about it.

“NHS Warwickshire’s Stop Smoking Service provides friendly, confidential advice and can support mums-to-be throughout their quit attempt, including the availability of home visits as well as free nicotine-replacement products.

“Pregnant women who smoke must remember that their unborn child’s heart and lungs are going to be made to work much harder.”

Figures from NHS Stop Smoking Services also showed the number of women nationwide who managed to quit smoking during pregnancy fell by 12 per cent in a year.

Of the 18,928 pregnant women who set a date to quit last year, 8,641 – less than half – were successful. This compares with 9,817 out of 18,977 the year before.

Janet Fyle, the Royal College of Midwives’ professional policy advisor, said: “It is disappointing to see the figures going in the wrong direction.

“There is ample evidence on the impact of smoking on the health of the pregnant mother and child, and we advise all women who are pregnant or trying to conceive to do their best to give up smoking.”

Despite the disappointing figures, Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service said it is continuing to see good results from people using its programme.

Last year 6,438 people set a quit date with the service. Of these, 3,280 were still non-smokers four weeks later.

In total, £74million was spent by NHS Stop Smoking Services last year to try and help people quit - equivalent to a cost per quitter of £219. This increased from £173 in the same period in 2007/08 and £160 in 2006/07.

Although more than 337,000 people successfully gave up smoking through the NHS in England last year, this was a drop of four per cent on the previous year, when record numbers quit as a ban on smoking in public places was introduced.

Tim Straughan, NHS Information Centre chief executive, said: “The report shows that fewer people successfully quit last year compared to 2007/08. However, 2007/08 saw the introduction of the ban on smoking in public places which would be expected to affect the number of quitters in that year.

“It is encouraging that more people quit smoking last year than in 2006/07, the year prior to the ban.”

To find out more about the NHS Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service call free on 0800 0852917, visit www.smokefreewarwickshire.org or text LIFE to 80800.

Pub drinkers gulp over plastic pints

2009-09-02T15:54:00.000+01:00

THE traditional pint glass could soon become a thing of the past in Warwickshire if a new shatterproof plastic design from the Home Office is given the go-ahead.

The Home Office has asked the Design Council to create a new kind of glass
in an attempt to stop them being used as weapons.

Figures showed 5,500 people are attacked with glasses and bottles every year in England and
Wales.

The project is part of the Home Office’s “Safe. Sensible. Social.” campaign.

The appointed designers of the new glasses, Design Bridge, said their challenge was to reduce the opportunity for the vessel to be used as a weapon, while also providing opportunities for enhanced consumer appeal and brand image.

The new range is set to be unveiled in December and more than one solution
will be developed, which could then be taken up by pubs and clubs in Warwickshire.

But there has been a mixed reaction to the proposed
designs.

Thirty-four-year-old Jake Hutchinson has worked in a Leamington bar for two years.

He said: “I can see the safety benefits but it just seems a shame. Drinking from plastic glasses will ruin the whole experience of going out for a pint. It could really put people off, which isn’t what the industry needs.

“If pubs are forced to have plastic glasses, I think it says a lot about the society we live in. People should be able to go to a pub and have a drink from a normal glass without the fear of being
attacked.”

The British Beer and Pub Association also said pub-goers don’t like drinking from plastic containers and it does not want to see the new plastic glass designs made compulsory in
pubs.

Mark Hastings, director of communications at the association, said: “A glass is a better container for the quality of the beer. You can pick up a taint of plastic from a plastic container.”

He added that in real terms plastic containers were expensive – they had a limited shelf life, scratched easily and were damaged when put in dishwashers.

Ford Foundry - ticking time bomb

2009-08-28T16:01:00.001+01:00

FUTURE generations of Leamington children need to be safeguarded from a ticking “time bomb” of potentially devastating pollution.

That’s the warning from a concerned local councillor, who fears the clean up of Leamington’s Ford Foundry site could lead to disastrous effects, like those faced by youngsters in Northamptonshire.

It also emerged this week that redevelopment plans for the Leamington site have come to a grinding halt.

Corby Borough Council has been found negligent in its redevelopment of a former steel works, which may have led to birth defects in 16 children.

Warwick District Council is being warned not to let the same mistakes happen when the Ford site redevelopment finally gets underway.

At a council meeting last week, Councillor Elizabeth Higgins (Cons, Warwick West) put forward a question to Cllr Felicity Bunker, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, asking: “Now that the High Court has ruled that the group of 16 families in Corby can sue Corby Borough Council for failing to clear up toxic waste left behind by the demolition of the town’s old steelworks in the mid-1980s; please could WDC ensure that the demolition and clearance of the Ford Foundry site, with investment by AWM, is carried out in a clean and secure manner.”

The High Court ruling means the way has now been cleared for the Corby youngsters to try and prove their particular disabilities were caused by the council’s failings, with compensation to follow if they succeed.

Mrs Higgins added: “I was worried about the demolition, and clear up of Ford Foundry that something similar to Corby might happen. So much of the land there is polluted, we’re sitting on a time bomb.

“The Corby situation horrified me, but I’m assured the law is so different now, and I’m told that closed containers will be used at the Ford Foundry site, so there will be no white cloud of asbestos.

“Environmental health laws are much stronger now too, so there should be no problem. We don’t even know when the clean up is going to take place yet. But the Corby ruling was so high profile – the thought of something like that happening here was just ghastly.”

It is just over two years since 400 workers at the foundry site clocked out for the last time, after six decades of production.

Last year a draft planning brief was put forward to transform the 50 acre station area in Leamington. It was to include the Ford land, plus the wider area around the station, including the former Quicks garage site.

The Ford site was earmarked for offices, a hotel, and flats.

The motor giant has yet to sell the site, which it bought in 1940.

Oliver Rowe, company spokesman, said: “While the company has been in a series of negotiations with interested parties, the economic situation has had a huge impact on the Leamington property market, which explains no sale to date.”

A spokesman for Warwick District Council added: “Currently there is no interest in the development market. The whole thing has stopped. Unless Ford have a plan – it’s up to them, and whoever buys the site. But at the minute, it’s dead in the water.”

The draft plans also suggested building a technology park on land along Old Warwick Road, as well as car parking for the railway station, and environmental improvements.

Mrs Higgins said: “There are big plans for the future, it’s just a lack of finance, which is a shame because there are 45 acres of brownfield land in Leamington, which is just amazing.”

Mini-tracker aids dementia victims

2009-08-28T15:51:00.002+01:00

DEMENTIA sufferers’ movements are being tracked using satellite technology – to help them live independently for longer.

The pioneering ‘mini-tracker’ is being trialled in Warwickshire, and works using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to monitor people’s movements, and map them through a secure website.

Warwickshire County Council is one of the first local authorities in the country to try the tracking technology in this way – and the first Warwickshire family to trial the scheme, say the results have been life changing.

Pete, the son of a dementia sufferer, was becoming increasingly concerned by his 71-year-old father John’s wandering.

He said: “Five months ago we were in a position where we felt that we could no longer cope. Dad always loved to take the dog for long walks, but he started getting lost in other parts of town. It’s a particular trait for people with dementia to keep moving; it’s as if they are walking away from the problem.”

Although Pete visits his father regularly, he found that juggling his job – which involves working away from home – and having two young children meant it was impossible to help his Father 24 hours a day.

He said: “I felt really torn, and thought the only way forward would be to give up my job, or to consider a residential home for dad.”

But one day John wandered up to the local adult social care offices, and staff there suggested he try the tracking technology.

A community care worker developed a care package for John so that he could be supported to stay at home and maintain his independence.

Every morning care workers help John with his morning routine, such as helping him clean his teeth and shave, before making sure his ‘mini-tracker’ device is fitted to his belt.

The ‘mini-tracker’ means John’s movements can be monitored on a map through a secure website.

Pete said: “We talked to Dad about the GPS, and he is happy to be wearing it because he feels that he is being looked after, even if we are not there. It means he can go for walks, or stay at home, without being wrapped up in cotton wool. It has been like a breath of fresh air for Dad, and it has given us better peace of mind.”

Warwickshire’s older population is growing significantly, and the number of people with dementia in the county is expected to rise by more than 37 per cent over the next 17 years.

Decision awaited over tanning salon proposal

2009-08-28T15:51:00.001+01:00

A GRADE II listed building in Leamington could be turned into a tanning salon if plans are given the go-ahead.

Leamington Town Council’s planning committee is considering proposals submitted by Exposure Tanning to change the use of 84 Warwick Street to a tanning, nails and beauty salon.

A final decision will be made by Warwick District Council next month.

The application was originally considered by the town council planners on August 6 but was rejected by councillors who said: “As the proposal was not to be entirely for A1 retail use it was felt inappropriate for this application to proceed.”

But Exposure Tanning are asking the committee to reconsider at this week’s meeting.

In a letter to the council, Geraint McCarthy, managing director, said: “The current planning classification for 84 Warwick Street is A2 office; this was granted in 2007 without objection. With this in mind we are not removing any retail space from this parade of shops.

“Our planning classification is Sui Generis as we are outside normal planning classes, however we have a large retail area and displays in each of our salons, which accounts for 35 per cent of our total business.”

Mr McCarthy also said the company planned to make a large investment in the building. He added: “The unit has been vacant and in a deteriorating state for three years, with the adjoining unit at 82 Warwick Street also vacant for some time; the property has a considerable and worsening damp problem due to it lying empty.

“We intend to make considerable investment into this Grade II listed property and have extensive experience in doing so. Each of our other three salons operates from Grade II listed properties.”

He said moving the salon from its current, smaller premises on Regent Grove would create an additional three full-time jobs, bringing the total number of people employed to six.

The committee will reconsider the plans at Thursday’s meeting.

A spokesman for Warwick District Council said: “We haven’t made a decision on the application yet. Leamington Town Council is a consultee - the final decision lies with us which will take place by September 9.”

Warwick Hospital rakes in more than £700,000 in car parking in just one year

2009-08-19T15:51:00.003+01:00

MORE than £700,000 was raked in by Warwick Hospital in car parking charges in just one year.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats – under the Freedom of Information Act – revealed the hospital made £599,253 from visitors, and a further £103,952 from staff, bringing the total to £703,205 in 2007/08.

A spokesman for Warwick Hospital said: “The charges for the patient’s car park have not increased in over three years.”

She said the car park must be self-financing: “As we would never spend money
dedicated for patient care to subsidise it.

“Therefore we will be increasing the cost to park for longer periods.

“Around 50 per cent of our visitors and patients stay for less than one hour, and only just over five per cent stay within the time bands that we have increased. So, for 95 per cent of people these changes represent a reduction, or a freeze.

“Our evidence is that the people who use the car park for such extended periods of time are not associated with the hospital; they are not visitors, or outpatients, and inpatients usually should not be driving from the site for medical reasons.

“We know for example that people have parked at the hospital as a cheaper option than all day parking at Warwick train station. If any patients do need to visit on a regular basis, then we offer a concessionary £15 weekly ticket.

“There is currently no room to reduce these charges further, due to the money being used to maintain and secure the car park.”

The new charges mean parking is free for the first 15 minutes. Those staying up to an hour will be charged £2.50, and people staying between six and 24 hours will be charged £9. Hospitals across the UK have been accused of slapping a “tax on the sick,” after the figures revealed the amount collected by hospitals, nationally, soared to £111 million in 2007/08 – up from £102 million the year before.

Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat shadow Health Secretary, who was behind the research, said: “This is a staggering amount of money for the NHS to be making from car parking charges.

“Many hospitals are still not offering real discounts to those with chronic illnesses and are effectively operating ‘a tax on the sick.’

“No one is denying the need for hospitals to cover their costs, but that doesn’t mean they can use hidden charges to help themselves out of financial black holes. We need an urgent review into whether hardworking doctors and nurses, and the chronically ill, should be paying these charges at all.”

Local war link in French grave?

2009-08-19T15:50:00.001+01:00

THE bodies of three First World War soldiers from Warwick could be among those found in a mass grave in northern France.

DNA tests have started on the remains of hundreds of World War One soldiers discovered in a number of burial pits at Pheasant Wood, near Fromelles.

Genetic samples from living relatives have been taken to try and identify the remains of the soldiers taken from the site of the famous battle.

The Battle of Fromelles began on July 19 1916 and was the first major battle on the Western Front to involve both British and Australian troops.

The British 61st Division, featuring the 4th (City of Bristol), 5th and 6th battalions of the Gloucestershire Regiment alongside men from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the Worcestershire Regiment, were heavily engaged in the attack.

The division suffered losses of 1,547 either killed, wounded, taken prisoner or missing and the Australians suffered 5,533 losses.

A list of British casualties who may be buried at Fromelles has been released. It includes Private William Henry Barnett and Sergeant Albert James Blakemore, both of Warwick, who fought with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and Private George Alfred Castle of Warwick who fought with the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.

A full archaeological excavation is expected to be completed by the end of September and an identification board will meet in March 2010. The exhumed bodies will be buried with full military honours. Anyone who believes they may be related to a soldier killed at Fromelles can telephone 01452 712612, extension 6303, or email Fromelles@spva.mod.uk.

Hero sailers

2009-08-19T15:47:00.002+01:00

AFTER battling stormy seas and relentless rip tides to save the life of a pilot whose plane had plunged into the Irish Sea, a teenage Warwickshire boat crew sat down to celebrate - with a Pot Noodle.

The boys - Will Homer, aged 19, of Bridge End, Warwick, former Warwick School pupils Nick Bevan and Rob Pickering, both 19 and from Stratford, along with 33-year-old Londoner Oliver Dudley - were eleven days into their attempt to row around Britain in record time when they saw the plane plummet from the sky.

Despite knowing it would cost them valuable time, the team, since hailed as heroes, thought nothing of abandoning their charity fundraising record bid to race to the rescue of the pilot.

Nick, currently on a gap year, said: “It was Will who saw the plane crash and told the rest of us. We all got out on deck to have a look but we were in the middle of a really bad storm and were finding it hard to row through it.

“We put out a mayday signal but we didn’t think anyone on the plane would be alive until Oliver spotted a guy waving.

“Will and I rowed as fast as possible for about two miles to reach him - I think it was the fastest we’d ever rowed.”

When they reached the plane, the team found pilot John O’Shaughnessy on the wing of the sinking aircraft and waited with him until the rescue helicopter arrived.

“The coast guard said the helicopter would be there in about 20 minutes,” Nick added. “We carried on talking to the man but we couldn’t get too close - we were getting smashed around in the sea and it would have been a disaster if we’d hit the plane. It was sinking but we made sure he was OK.

“When the helicopter got here it was fantastic, it swooped over and lifted the pilot up and took him away straight away, we were really impressed and we were told we’d done a good job in directing them to the plane.

“Afterwards we sat and treated ourselves to a Pot Noodle, something we usually saved for reaching a landmark in our journey.

“We were all stunned - the whole thing was over in about 20 minutes but it was an amazing feeling to save someone’s life.”

The GB Row team is only the second in history to attempt to race against the clock around the British Isles.

They began their record-breaking attempt from Dover on August 1, sailing anti-clockwise around the country in their boat, the British Orchid, and had been hoping to complete the challenge in 25 days - beating the current record of 26 days 21 hours and 14 minutes.

But their first ten days were spent battling ferocious storms before narrowly avoiding being killed by a container ship after losing power to their warning transmitter.

After their heroic rescue mission on the eleventh day, the boys decided to abandon their goal after realising they had lost valuable time.

Nick said: “It was frustrating because we were on target to beat the record. But the good thing is we’ve raised a lot of money for the charity Orchid, one of the reasons we were doing the sail. We were able to sell the footage we’d filmed of the crash for about £5,000, which is going to the charity.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to try and beat the record again next year, if we can get sponsorship.

“We know we can do it, we were on track. There are a few things we need to change but we’ll go out there stronger than ever.”

To sponsor the team and donate to Orchid go to www.gbrow.com.

Rise of anti-social behaviour in Lillington

2009-08-14T14:25:00.003+01:00

A CRACKDOWN on anti-social behaviour is taking place in Lillington after a rise in reports of youngsters causing trouble.

A dispersal zone covering Crown Way, Mason Avenue, Valley Road and adjacent streets was due to expire last Sunday, but police in Leamington successfully applied for it to be extended for a further three months until November 9 after an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Dispersal powers are granted under section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and allow officers in uniform and Police Community Support Officers to order people to leave the area and not return for a specified amount of time if they are believed to be causing trouble.

Officers from the Leamington North Safer Neighbourhood Team said they had seen a seasonal rise in reports of anti-social behaviour in recent weeks, coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays. They had been using powers under the existing dispersal zone to try and combat it.

PC Jon Belcher, of the neighbourhood team, said: “The dispersal zone is not intended to act as an exclusion zone to prevent people from accessing the facilities within it, but to ensure that they do so in an acceptable way so that others don’t have to suffer from anti-social behaviour.

“There has been a history of anti-social behaviour within this area and until the start of the school holidays we were pleased with the overall reduction in issues being reported to us. Officers can now continue to use proportionately the powers granted by this order to bring levels of anti-social behaviour back down.”

He added that the extension meant officers will be able to carry on using dispersal powers for the remainder of the summer holidays, as well as during bonfire night and Hallowe’en.

Police vow to put an end to the Bash

2009-08-13T15:01:00.002+01:00

POLICE have vowed to do everything they can to stop next year’s Bulldog Bash going ahead – despite the four-day festival passing without serious incident.

More than 20,000 motorcycle fans flocked to the 23rd Bulldog Bash at the weekend, held at Long Marston airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Police had been concerned about violence between rival biker gangs following the 2007 murder of Hells Angel Gerry Tobin and a riot at Birmingham Airport last year.

Top officers had initially tried to revoke the festival’s licence.

But organisers said the event was a huge success and passed without trouble.

Event organiser John Britt said: “Everybody had a great time and there was a really good atmosphere.

“It was a family event and there were lots and lots of kids running around.”

Each day, 450 officers and staff from Warwickshire Police and five other surrounding forces were on duty.

Figures released showed 448 people were searched and 11 were arrested for offences
including assault and suspected drug offences.

Nine lock knives were surrendered and small amounts of substances believed to be cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine were also recovered.

There were 13 street cautions for drugs offences and one for possession of an offensive weapon.

Chief Constable Keith Bristow said: “While the policing operation did result in a number of arrests, I am relieved that
no one was killed or seriously injured this year as a direct result of having attended this event.

“However, we have been unable to prevent an organised crime group from holding a fundraising event in the county and we will therefore continue to explore all legal opportunities available to us – both criminal and civil – to achieve this outcome before August 2010.

“I know that the vast majority of people attending the Bulldog Bash were decent law-abiding motorcyclists or music fans and also that some members of the Hells Angels are not involved in criminality.

“However, the Hells Angels are designated as an organised crime group and are, without doubt, involved in extreme violence both in this country and abroad.

“We would be failing in our duty to protect communities from harm if we did not do everything possible to remove their ability to fundraise in Warwickshire in support of their criminal activity elsewhere.”

Mr Bristow added that Warwickshire Police would welcome and support a well organised and safe motorcycle event, not operated under the influence of an organised crime group, in the county next year.

But bikers attending the festival criticised the heavy police presence.

One of the event’s organisers, who calls himself ‘Echo’, said: “It’s unnecessary. They put on a big police operation last year. It cost £1.4million and they only stopped 500 people and they only ended up with three prosecutions.

“It’s a completely over the top reaction. We accept that the police have a responsibility, but we police the site, there’s never any problems.”

Could a coffin be key to a mystery?

2009-08-13T14:54:00.001+01:00

A MONUMENT at a Warwick church could hold the answer to an age-old Shakespearian mystery.

An application has been made to examine an ancient sarcophagus – and the clues inside could finally solve the riddle of who really wrote the plays of William Shakespeare – Warwickshire’s most beloved son.

The application has been made to Coventry Diocese by historian AWL Saunders to examine a 17th century sarcophagus at St Mary’s Church.

The stone coffin was built by Fulke Greville – a writer and contemporary of Shakespeare who some believe is the actual author of several of Shakespeare’s works. Greville is buried in the crypt below the monument and Saunders said there are clues in Greville’s writings that suggest he had several manuscripts buried at the church, including a copy of Antony and Cleopatra.

But in typical Shakespearian fashion, trouble is brewing for the hapless seekers of the truth.

The initial search was approved by the parochial church council but is being resisted by Coventry Diocese, which says there is not enough evidence to give the search the go-ahead.
Canon Mervyn Roberts, speaking for Coventry Diocese, said: “If someone wishes to have a monument or something in a church removed or looked into, they have to put in and obtain what is called a faculty. It’s very detailed and is an important check and balance against inappropriate requests.

“This particular case was considered by the Diocesan Advisory Committee but they have not approved it at the present time.

“It wasn’t approved because it was felt there wasn’t enough concrete evidence to disturb the monument yet but this doesn’t restrict a person from appealing or re-applying.

“The next step is for the chancellor, who is like the final judge of the diocese, to decide whether he agrees with the current decision or whether he wants to override it. At the moment it’s still not sure what the outcome will be.

“This is not the first time that links to Shakespeare at this church have been suggested but there are all sorts of conspiracies, anyone could make a claim really, which is why we have to consult widely to make a decision.

“It’s a serious issue to disturb a monument, particularly as this one is over a grave. And when someone is laid to rest and they request things to be put in their tomb, one would assume they don’t want them to be removed."

Saunders claims there are several clues suggesting Greville is responsible for writing a number of Shakespeare’s works.
He said Greville’s life and writings closely match those of Shakespeare, suggesting they could be the same person – the two lived in the same street, had the same friends and were members of the same literary circles.

He also claims to have found hints in Greville’s The Life of Sidney that suggest the author wrote Antony and Cleopatra and that he had it and other works, including a biography of Elizabeth I, placed in the sarcophagus.

A spokesperson for St Mary’s Church said: “The final decision is between Mr Saunders and the diocese. We’re happy with whatever they decide. All the church has done is said we won’t withhold our assent.”

Are Tasers fair?

2009-08-13T14:51:00.001+01:00

TASER GUNS were used by Warwickshire Police to arrest three men in just one day - a week after more officers than ever before were trained to use them.

In total 100 officers - equal to 10 per cent of the workforce - are now trained to use Tasers, including eight sergeants and two inspectors.

But human rights groups have questioned the widespread use of the weapon.

The guns were originally only used by the force’s firearms officers, but since the beginning of August officers from Warwickshire Police’s Operations Task Force, which provides back-up for patrol officers dealing with violent incidents, have also been able to use them.

Officers took Tasers to a suspected burglary in the early hours of Wednesday August 5.

Two 18-year-olds were arrested at a house in Coten End, Warwick, after a member of the public called the police reporting noises coming from the rear of the property.

Although the Tasers were not deployed, officers said the sight of the device, which can emit a 50,000 volt charge, was enough to bring the situation under control.

Later that day police also used a Taser to arrest a violent man at a home in Stratford.

The man, who was thought to be drunk and had suffered a cut to his arm, was described by police as being extremely agitated with dramatic mood changes.

Officers used the stun guns to arrest the man.

He was taken to Warwick Hospital for treatment to the cut to his arm, before spending the night in police custody.

The man was assessed under the Mental Health Act the following morning.

Inspector Alf Berridge, head of firearms support, said: “The Taser is a well proven and effective piece of equipment which will provide officers with another way of dealing with violent incidents.

“During trials in other police forces the use of the Taser has already been proved to show that its presence alone can de-escalate a violent situation, thus reducing the potential for members of the public and for police officers to come to harm.”

The decision to train more officers follows extensive national trials and authorisation from the Home Secretary.

But a human rights group has condemned police for using the gun in a burglary and said they should only be used when the lives of police or members of the public are at risk.

Mike Blakemore, spokesman for Amnesty International, which has a mid-Warwickshire branch covering Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick, said: “Tasers are potentially lethal and should only be used where strictly necessary to avoid loss of life or prevent very serious injury. Only a limited number of officers who’ve been trained to the same high standards as firearms officers should be equipped with Tasers.

“Amnesty International’s research shows that 346 people have died after being shot with Tasers in the US since 2001. In many of these cases the coroner listed the use of the Taser as a contributory factor or was directly linked to the death. In 2008 alone, 59 people died in the US after being tasered.”

What do you think? Comment or email kat_baldwyn@mrn.co.uk

Welcome

2009-08-03T21:32:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the blog for the Warwickshire Times series of newspapers, covering Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth.
Each week we'll post some of the top stories from the area so you can have your say on the issues that affect you.
We also want you to get in touch and tell us what you think of the paper. Have we missed anything? Is there anything you want to see covered? Have a read and let us know.
You can also get in touch by emailing kat_baldwyn@mrn.co.uk or phoning 024 7650 0496.