This week's Coventry Observer letters page.....

Help needed for new Coventry Cathedral jubilee book

NEXT year will be the diamond jubilee of the new Coventry Cathedral and the Friends of Coventry Cathedral are planning to mark it by publishing a book.

This may be the last special anniversary for which there will still be people alive who helped build it (or the furnishings for it) who might be able to pass on their memories,

or there may be people whose father (or other relation) was involved, and told stories about their involvement.

If so, we’d love to hear now from them, or even better see a picture of them or their work, or pictures taken on a site visit.

If any of your readers can help, please contact me by letter, phone or email.

William Howard

21 Daniell Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9UD

01789 508831

[email protected]

Election promise made now the dust has settled

NOW THE dust has begun to settle on another set of local election results I would like to take a moment to thank all of those who voted for me – and indeed those that didn’t!

Although my win represented a strong win for the Conservatives, I was elected to be the councillor for Woodlands ward and not for people who agree with me. Alongside Julia Lepoidevin and Peter Male, I promise to work just as hard as ever for all my constituents whether they voted for me or not.

I would also like to congratulate my opponents on their respective campaigns and thank them for the gracious way they handled the result. In particular the Labour candidate, Mark Farr, who finished second. I would wish them all good luck for the future – albeit in different wards!

As leader of the Conservative Group in Coventry I am aware that I have a responsibility to the city more widely.

So I would like to thank those who backed us across Coventry and promise that I will continue to lead a responsible, listening opposition.

We will work with Labour when it is in the city’s best interests, but we won’t fail to hold them to account either.

As Coventrians there are lots of reasons to be optimistic about the future and I’m convinced our best days lie ahead of us.

And I can assure residents that we will build on our record of action with a promise of more to come.

Coun Gary Ridley

Woodlands Ward

Leader of the Conservative Group

Thanks to St John Ambulance volunteers

AS ST John Ambulance approaches delivery of an extraordinary 1million volunteer hours given in support of the Covid-19 response and the vaccination programme, our charity’s volunteers continue to demonstrate their value to local communities throughout the country.

I would like to pass on my sincere personal thanks through your paper to all of our volunteers and staff, particularly as we approach St John’s Day on June 24, a focal point for the St John family year, when this year we celebrate the work of our charity over the past year of the pandemic, and plan our support to communities who need our help in the future.

I am delighted that many buildings and local landmarks around the country will be lit up in green on that evening to celebrate the tireless work of St John volunteers and staff.

Everyone at St John is immensely grateful to the owners and custodians of those buildings for helping us to make the day a special one.

Meanwhile, we remind everyone of St John Ambulance’s work through our nationwide Ask Me campaign (www.sja.org.uk/AskMe) which launched on June 14.

I am sure that our powerful combination of billboard posters and advertisements will keep our volunteers in the forefront of everyone’s minds and encourage your readers to get involved with St John, or to find out more about our charity’s work in their local area.

Surgeon rear admiral Lionel Jarvis CBE KStJ DL

Prior of England and the Islands of The Order of St John and Chair of St John Ambulance

Take a step forward in the fight against diabetes

WE ARE asking people from the Midlands to join us for the Diabetes UK One Million Step Challenge, to raise funds and help make a huge difference to the lives of people with diabetes across the UK.

It’s simple – take one million steps over three months, between July and September, and get sponsored for every stride.

You can walk, jog, or even dance the steps away but whichever way you choose to move, you will need to take around 10,000 steps a day from July 1 to reach your million-step goal.

This year’s challenge features two other options – a half-a-million step challenge, perfect for those short on time or for anyone who may find taking 10,000 steps a day difficult. And there’s the longer 1.7million-step challenge, for those who really want to push themselves this summer.

As well as raising money to help end the harm caused by diabetes, regular walking has many personal benefits, including increased fitness, reduced stress, and better heart health. So please, give it a try and step it up for a healthier you.

The Diabetes UK One Million Step challenge is free to register and there is no minimum sponsorship target. The event runs from July 2 to September 30. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/step for more and to sign up.

Peter Shorrick

Diabetes UK Midlands and East Regional Head

Editor’s Comment

THE SUDDEN cardiac arrest suffered by Danish footballer Christian Eriksen showed more than ever the importance of as many people as possible knowing vital lifesaving skills.

CPR being taught in all secondary schools is welcome and as many areas as possible need an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

It is also key people feel confident enough to use their CPR skills and know where their nearest defib to their home and workplace is.

Only then can we all be there for each other when needed.