READERS' VIEWS 16/10

21 October 2008

Church attacks could be linked

THE attempted arson attack on St Marie's Church on Dunchurch Road last Sunday was a most sickening act and evidence of a deranged mind at large, but should certainly not be dismissed as an isolated incident or an individual's grudge against that particular church - Observer last week.
This appears to be the latest in a series of arson attacks directed against churches between Rugby and Leamington which so far both press and police have given little attention to.
Prior to St Marie's being set alight, similar incidents occurred at St Edith's, Monk's Kirby, St John's, Brinklow, St Margeret's, Whitnash and most tragically St Nicholas's at Radford Semele, which was burnt to the ground in the earliest known attack in March.
St Barnabas in Erdington, Birmingham was also destroyed last year, whether this is related to the Warwickshire attacks so far is unknown.
Whoever is responsible (assuming all are the work of one individual) clearly has a vendetta against churches in general and seems to choose targets at random, the main linking feature being that all are (or were) prominent buildings visible from main roads within the Leamington-Rugby area.
The Rugby area attacks appear to have occurred by day, whilst those nearer Leamington involved break-ins by night to start the fires, using candles which at Whitnash didn't match any used by the parish. 
The police response to this threat to some of Warwickshire's most precious buildings has been somewhat muted, the Radford Semele fire being dismissed as an electrical fault until the vicar identified an item from the churchyard inside the ruins used to break through a window.
At Whitnash stained glass was broken to gain entry and a candle strategically placed under the organ loft, yet I was told only last week by the incredulous vicar that the police considered the intruder had brought his own candle simply to enable him 'to see in the dark'.
It was a different story two years ago when Holy Trinity in Stratford on Avon was broken into for petty theft rather than an attempt to destroy the building. Shakespeare's 'celebrity status' ensured a forensic investigation with a crime scene set up in full view of the tourists, and whilst repairing the damaged stained glass we were asked to look out for blood traces, for DNA. Whitnash's church received no such attention. 
As a stained glass artist/restorer I have a particular involvement and concern about these crimes, having worked on several of the targeted churches, notably Whitnash where I repaired the damage caused by the intruder, and Radford Semele where the Millennium window I designed and made eight years ago was completely destroyed. 
St Marie's has had an extremely lucky escape, thanks to the actions of parishioners and Fr Sainter.
Let us hope that the CCTV footage from last Sunday's attempted attack may at last make a difference before this maniac gets lucky again and we lose yet another priceless piece of our heritage.
Aidan McRae Thomson, Stanley Road, Rugby

Orders will restrict dogs right to freedom

WHAT is it with Rugby Borough Council lately and their apparent opposition to animal freedom?
Firstly, there was the possible eviction of 25 free-range chickens from their loving home.
Then they have the weird notion to use their 'power' by introducing a law restricting the running free of our canine friends, in the safety of open spaces, while closely monitored.
There presently exists under RBC a greyhound racing business, an intensive chicken farm and a battery business, all paying council tax. So, as a Rugbean born and bred and a RBC council tax payer, can I propose through RBC a law preventing the keeping of caged and imprisoned birds and the racing of greyhounds for profit?
I implore RBC to take the environmentally friendly route and acknowledge the rights of the animals in allowing them to enjoy their natural freedom.
Dogs are very intelligent creatures and I am sure that to restrict their movement will make them miserable. Rugby Borough Council is certainly 'barking up the wrong tree!'
Janet Cummings, Tower Road, Rugby

Is computer giveaway legal?

I READ with interest that Rugby Borough Council are offering free recycled computers to community organisations - Observer last week.
This is very laudable, but I wonder whether it is legal to recycle licensed software?
More importantly, in the present climate, will they doubly ensure that all sensitive data is securely removed from the hard drives?
John Duffield, Via email

Editor's Note - Mr Duffied has some valid concerns, but I must correct him and say it is Warwickshire County Council that is proposing to give away computers not the borough council.

Thankful at plans to control dogs

I HAVE been reading the comments of your readers regarding letting their dogs off the lead - Observer letters last week.
I agreed with them until last Tuesday evening. I was walking my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy in Criss Cross park in Brownsover, on the lead, when an Alsatian looking dog ran up to my dog and grabbed him in his mouth lifting him up into the air and shaking him like a rag doll.
I managed to free him. The owner had called out to his dog but didn't respond, the man came up to us put his dog on a lead then asked if our dog was okay. He agreed to pay any vet bill and gave me a telephone number.
I had to take my dog to the vets resulting in a £45 bill, (I left a message for him to ring me, I'm still waiting and am out of pocket.) My dog is now fine. I was with my daughters when this happened and we are all shaken by the experience, we are really frightened when taking him out, as we don't know if it will happen again - nobody does - it could happen to your dog next time.
Name supplied, Brownsover

Ridiculous law could cost politicians their jobs

I HAVE just read in your letters section that the council intend us to keep our dogs on a lead, unless you have access to a private field or you keep them confined to the few square yards of the garden.
May I ask how they intend to enforce this new ridiculous law, when they don’t police the current useful laws such as clearing up after your dog and dropping litter.
I for one intend to find out who my local councillor is to make sure they don’t get my vote next time round, may I suggest that your dog loving readers do the same.
Mr A Watson, Via email

Not too late to fight housing plans

HOORAY! Rugby council are at last beginning to realise that they have been led up the garden path by the Government on future house building - Observer last week.
First, the council were persuaded to accept that Rugby should be one of ten West Midlands towns singled out for particularly high growth, but not satisfied with that, the Government are considering imposing 3,000 to 5,000 extra on top of the previous figure of 10,800. We may be facing a 40 per cent increase in the size of the town in a mere 20 years. 
All this may sound pretty academic at a time when the housing market has collapsed and there seems little chance of housing on this scale actually being built.
But the market will recover one day, and if only some of the new homes are delivered they may be the wrong ones in the wrong places, gobbling up green fields and pushing an already oddly shaped town still further out into the surrounding countryside. 
Come on council, do your job and balance the undoubted need for some new housing against other important factors such as the character and environmental quality of the town and its surroundings.
It's still not too late to object to the original figure, let alone the new one. You have been pushed around for far too long.
Peter Langley, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Stretton-on-Dunsmore

Rugby must moved forward for fear of going backwards

I'D like to welcome the borough council's current public consultation on The Future of Rugby Borough.
If we are to maximise the benefits to our local community from future developments, we must start planning now. Hiding our heads in the sand is no longer an option.
The projected figures for housing growth have received particular coverage. It's important to be clear on two points. First, the planning horizon under consideration is the next 20 years. The idea that thousands of new homes will be landed onto Rugby virtually overnight is an irresponsible scare story.
Secondly, the target numbers for new homes are the results of independent research by both the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit, and the private planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners.
Both of these non-political bodies have estimated how the demand for housing will grow as our local economy develops.
It's not the case, as some would misleadingly suggest, that Whitehall bureaucrats have arbitrarily decided that Rugby must grow. Rather, the best evidence available suggests that more families will freely choose to move to our borough in the future. We've now got the opportunity to decide how best to accommodate that growth while maintaining housing affordability.
A key element that frequently gets lost in the debate is that the growth of Rugby, if managed wisely, offers substantial long-term benefits for us all. A bigger borough will mean a greater range of employment opportunities and a richer menu of retail and leisure options. A larger population will put local public services on an even firmer footing - and it will also increase the range of local school and health options.
Importantly, a thriving Rugby town will generate significant economic and amenity benefits for residents in the rural parts of our borough. It's simply a myth to claim that growth in Rugby threatens the wider rural borough. In fact, nothing would harm our whole community more than a stagnant Rugby town.
If we are positive and proactive, there are huge prizes to be won over the next two decades. In Rugby today, long-awaited investments - like the ASDA development, the Western Relief Road, and the new college campus - are finally coming to fruition.
Let's keep the momentum going and not return to sleepy, backward-looking ways. We must be bold and creative about the next big steps in improving our community.
I urge all your readers to submit their views on the future of our Borough by writing to Forward Planning, Town Hall, Rugby, CV21 2RR before 31 October.
Dr Ben Ferrett, Borough councillor (Labour) for Brownsover South ward

Remove fence straight away

IT IS known that under common law a foot-path that has been used continuously by the public for at least seven years belongs to the public as their right-of-way.
But last week the common foot-path leading from Carlson Gardens to the Wycliffe Medical Centre was closed off by two men who erected a fence. And this fence has angered many people, especially the elderly.
Importantly, it appears to have been completely overlooked that would-be-burglars using our back alley may and will feel a lot safer since this new fence can only hinder any immediate police activity/access.
Further, since most of the residents here in Carlson Gardens are elderly this fence means making a visit to see a doctor at the Wycliffe Centre a lot more tiring, difficult or even impossible according to severity of disability or pain in which case doctor call outs are much more likely from now on.
We think the fence should be replaced by a gate or removed entirely - and as soon as possible.
An elderly resident, Carlson Gardens, Lutterworth

FOOTBALL - Dobson calls on side not to lose ground»

Crimewatch appeal to trace paedophile»

FOOTBALL - Lead cut »

RUGBY - Super Colts progress in National Cup »

Hawker family criticise 'distasteful' game»

Army comes to recruit in Rugby»

Woodhouse Hotel underfire again »

Youngsters learn the business»

Free swimming could be on the way»

Town businesses optimistic over economy»

FOOTBALL - Henderson to speak at Christmas party»

FOOTBALL - Town's youngsters triumph in thriller»

HOCKEY - Good run of form continues»

RUGBY - Leaders leave it very late»

RUGBY - Inch perfect tackle helps OLs win a thrilling clash»

ROAD RUNNING - Emery storms to Hampton Cup win»

FOOTBALL - Smith bags four in exciting draw»

Hospitals step up MRSA screening»

FOOTBALL - Stockton see off challenge of AEI »

RUGBY - Strong second half sets-up win»