READERS' VIEWS - 7/5

24 June 2009

I WOULD like to express my sincere appreciation to Bob and Judy Bradbrook for taking the time and trouble to write a letter of appreciation both for my own and Rugby Borough Council's part, and of course, that of Rugby Theatre, in staging a Night at the Opera on Sunday, April 19 - Observer letters, April 23.
Mr Bradbrook has also given us what amounts to a glowing review of the show for which I must thank him most warmly.
We were not far off the number we expected for the evening, so were more pleased with the cheering and clapping from a most appreciative audience rather than dwelling on a lack of audience members.
Moving on, we have a second concert on Sunday, May 17 of favourite cello by Richard Jenkinson and his Classic FM ensemble.
Where else in Rugby are you going to hear a winner of the same prize as Jacqueline Du Pre than in the ICE's founder and leader Richard Jenkinson.
The evening will be full of fun and melody containing two fandangos - translating as 'having a good time' - and music by Boccherini whose music was featured recently in the film Master and Commander starring Russell Crowe.
So please come along and support what is a rare event in Rugby - the visit of first rate professional musicians.
Tickets are £11 to £12 and concessions are available. Please ring Rugby Theatre box office on 01788 541234.

Peter Bullard
Bloxham Gardens
Rugby

I must disagree with Coun Heather Timms' statement concerning tree planting and memorial plaques in Caldecott Park - Observer, April 16.
My husband died in 1991 and with donations from his workmates I had a Laburnum tree with brass plaque placed by the herb garden. The area had several other trees nearby.
Perhaps a little more research is needed.

Mrs S Owen
Capulet Close
Rugby

AS a car driver I use Dunchurch Road and Bilton Road everyday on my way to and from work, normally when traffic is at its peak. It must be five years or so now since the cycle paths were marked out along both routes.
However, years on I wonder if it was all a waste of money. I have lost count of the numerous times I have been travelling along the road and there, 3ft away from the curb in the road, is a shaky looking cyclist when on their left is a perfectly good split path with one side for pedestrians and one for cyclists.
Maybe the 6in wide raised white line and the cycle symbols are not clear enough? With vehicles squeezing past I can hear their voices and when they get home they must say, "car drivers they never give you any room."
So for all those cyclists who don’t use these more than adequate routes please start to, not just for us drivers but for your own safety. For those cyclists who do use them I can only apologise for my rant.

Neil Butlin
Via email

WITH reference to the letters about the new pedestrian controlled crossing installed along Ashlawn Road, seemingly in the middle of nothing, perhaps the question we should be asking is not 'why', but, 'what is planned' for that part of Ashlawn Road!
Such expenses are rarely acted upon unless there is a reason behind them, and with the general financial situation being as it is, perhaps the council would be kind enough to let us know the reason for these lights.

Mrs S E Turner
Kinglsey Avenue
Hillmorton

WHILE I welcomed the council finally collecting my recycling bin this week, the question remains why it took the council nearly a month between the end of red box collections and the start of the blue bin collections?
The result was a massive overflow of recyclables at my house - mainly bottles. I am an alcoholic, for my sins, so get through dozens of bottles every week. I do my best to be 'green' and religiously recycle all I can.
When my red box was full I regularly drove to Tesco to recycle the bottles. Unfortunately, on returning from one recycling trip I was pulled over by the police and breathalysed.
Due to my illness I tested positive and subsequently lost my licence. So now I have no option but to rely on the council to collect my bottles.
By the time my blue bin was emptied, I had enough empty bottles to refill it straight away.
Goodness knows how many more bottles I shall accumulate by the time the bin gets emptied again in a fortnight's time.
So come on the council, help us save the planet!

Kenneth Bubb
Address supplied

I WOULD like to thank the customers at Sainsbury's on April 4 and 5 for their generosity donating almost £1,650 to Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
Please now remember Rugby Rokeby Lions' Draycote Walk on May 17 in aid of the same cause.

Martyn Priest
President of Rugby Rokeby Lions

I WOULD like to respond to Brian Wainwright's letter - Observer, April 23.
It was instantly recognisable from his emotive use of the phrase 'insanely located' that he was very much against the new crossing on Newbold Road near the Town Hall.
I wonder if the many pedestrians who used to risk life and limb trying to get across Newbold Road near the busy roundabout share his view. Of course there are many sides to any story and although this crossing may provide a little inconvenience for Mr Wainwright it isn't the end of the world.
Perhaps a good suggestion would be for Mr Wainwright to start his journey a little earlier as he now knows there will be this hold up on the way. I am a motorist myself and use the busy roundabout every morning and I get as frustrated as any other motorist over the delays caused not only by the new crossing but also by the work on the Western Relief Road, but most of us just get on with it.
I do think that maybe the roundabout would have benefited by the addition of traffic light control like that in use on the Tollbar Island in Coventry - but it isn't, so we have to plan our trips accordingly. I must say that the new crossing is a Godsend in respect of joining Newbold Road from the Town Hall car park, because motorists just don't seem to like to give way to anyone.
I would also like to appeal to pedestrians to make use of this new crossing and not continue the old habits of darting over the road by the roundabout - it's only a few yards out of your way you know. I hope this has provided a more balanced view of the new crossing.
Let's not get upset about it - there are far greater injustices going on in the world that deserve our attention. Remember to keep smiling - it makes them wonder what you've been up to.

Keith Trezise
Glebe Crescent

A WELCOME sight to see on the mat by the door,
The Observer; may it continue forever more.
Saddened when reading its publication may end,
It was greeted like a long lost friend.
Aptly this adage seems to apply,
“We never miss the water 'till the well runs dry.”
A pleasure to read the local news,
Published letters expressing various views.
Giving me a platform for a protest voice,
In poetic form when there seemed no choice.
For the unnecessary bridge – a thorn in the side,
Thank goodness financial circumstances turned the tide.
So may the Observer continue to thrive,
And I eagerly await the next issue to arrive.

Nancy Cooper
Via email

THERE have recently been a number of door-to-door salesman in the Warwickshire area selling a variety of goods including cleaning products, washing pegs and other small items that are easily carried.
They have described themselves as representing various charities, or as homeless people or ex-offenders on rehabilitation programmes with the Probation Service.
There is absolutely no truth in any connection with the Probation Service and as a Service we would not be encouraging offenders/ex-offenders to undertake such employment.
If members of the public are of a mind to buy from the door then they should ask for photographic proof of a person’s identity before doing so.
Signs that can be put in the door to discourage street peddlars can be obtained through Neighbourhood Watch and you can find out how to contact your local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator through your local police station or Police Community Safety Officer.
The Probation Service, like most other Public Services, do not cold call properties and if we we needed to visit anybody at home we would write with a timed appointment beforehand.

Frank Gravenor
Warwickshire Justice Centre

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