LETTERS in this week’s Coventry Observer
I have been a speedway fan since 1952, and now, 65 years later, I am as passionate about this great family spectator sport as I ever was.
In all that time I have been a supporter of only two clubs: Wembley and Poole. Coventry Bees I have always admired as a great and iconic team, and any thought of speedway without them is beyond belief.
I have been following with deep concern the Brandon fiasco, and I am appalled by the infighting between the various parties trying to sort this sorry mess out. The Coventry Bees must continue, and every effort made to establish them back at Brandon, their rightful home, on a secure long-term contract.
If that means keeping stock car racing, then so be it. I think seeking an alternative site for speedway is a wise move, but only as a second choice if efforts for Brandon are lost completely. COVENTRY NEEDS SPEEDWAY and SPEEDWAY NEEDS COVENTRY!
Peter Wheat, Poole, Dorset.
How sad I was to hear that Uber will no longer be able to operate on the roads of Coventry.
The general public in Coventry have had to take the steady rise over the years in exuberant fares charged by the black cabs, finally they had a rival who offered a great service at a much fairer rate, and because of the rallying of the black cab drivers on to the council they have managed to push the competition out.
I think it’s about time the general public had there say and petitioned the council to reinstate the Uber drivers to stay in Coventry.
Regards Mr S Murray
Mr Shaun Reynolds has correctly highlighted the appalling news that members of the West Midlands Ambulance Service have been assaulted while trying to help patients.
These devoted men and women face constant challenge in their daily work and deserve both protection and universal praise. I hope that your report will remind the public of how much we are all in their debt.
Cllr. David Skinner (Conservative)
Westwood Ward
The announcement that the creenbelt at Eastern Green and Keresley will now be released for building is extremely disappointing for residents living in and around the Woodlands ward.
Let’s be totally clear on this matter this Local Plan is a Labour Party plan driven by developers to build executive homes in and around Eastern Green.
Coventry City Council has not even produced a detailed Housing Assessment which is needed to determine actual need, and what types of homes are required and where?
To allow any planning application to come forward without a detailed Housing Assessment would be foolish.
It has been stated that the plan will provide for new roads, schools, parks, health facilities and other infrastructure. However we only have to look at the recently completed Bannerbrook Park estate to see that the Council has no influence over health and education provision.
Residents on this development were promised health and education provision that has not, and will not be delivered.
The current proposal will be over double the size of Bannerbrook Park and we have seen how long it has taken for the roads to be completed and the affect that this has had on local residents.
Woodlands ward councillors have consistently called for brownfield development first, and phasing of any release of land, this is to ensure that overdevelopment does not take place.
The Conservative group will not support this plan.
We ask that a detailed Housing Needs Assessment is completed and local resident’s views are taken into account before any release of land happens. We will continue to support our residents and fight for the best possible outcome for them.
Councillor Julia Lepoidevin
Woodlands Ward
Shadow Cabinet Member
Children and Young People
Coventry City Council
Many of your readers would have served in the Royal Navy and having left, possibly quite some time back, are now missing the camaraderie they had with their old shipmates.
To relive that camaraderie and possibly meet up with their old shipmates, they should get the monthly mailing list of ‘Royal Navy Reunions’ giving the dates, which H.M.Ship’s Association, where it is being held and who to contact. Have a look at www.rnshipmates.co.uk and check out the ‘Reunions’ section, there are currently well over 30!!
Reunions listings is available by emailing [email protected] See where the reunions are being held, and then find out what is included; such as a visit somewhere, a Gala Dinner, the ‘traditional’ tot of Rum on most of them. Of course the wives and partners are not forgotten; they meet up at the reunions and have a good time too!!
What does it cost? …. NOTHING. Nothing because the Reunion Listings are all collected, compiled and then sent out by email. There are no subscriptions or donations. But more important, it is also thanks to the hundreds of local newspapers, just like this one and others throughout the UK for printing my letters and subsequently reuniting ‘Lost Shipmates’.
Mike Crowe
RN Shipmates
www.rnshipmates.co.uk
Isle of Wight
