From Tuesday 4th January there are some changes to local bus services.
CULFC Fund Raising Update
Latest progress on the fundraising by Earlsdon based Michael Mogan to support the women of Coventry United Ladies Football Club who were left high and dry two days before Christmas.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/supporting-coventry-uniteds-ladies?fbclid=IwAR1n6hFXFQBr1wmdypJ7FGSNkdlfkA1TWXAwp0hqwzoInpZtoXNnDnB8gs4
Statement From Coventry United Ladies Football Club
“With regret the board of directors have instructed BK Plus Limited to assist with placing the company/club into creditors voluntary liquidation.
At this point we cannot go into detail. However, if you require further information please email any queries to:
richard.tonks@bkplus.co.uk kim.richards@bkplus.co.uk
We would like to thank everyone for the support over the last 7 years . The club will keep you updated on developments of the clubs future”.
For one way you can help, please go to the link below:
Albany Theatre Postpones Panto
The Albany Theatre has taken the difficult decision to postpone its first community Panto. Uncertainty over the threat of Omicron makes it too risky to go ahead.
The show now moves to February half-term.
The Albany’s CEO and Artistic Director, Kevin Shaw, explained:
“The Trust has taken expert, specific and local advice, and whilst there remains some uncertainty, we understand that the growing wave of infections is expected to hit a peak on or around New Year’s Day – just as our Panto starts its run. It seems likely that next week, further restrictions will be brought in anyway, as they have been in Wales and Scotland, so this decision is likely to be taken out of our hands in any event.”
Chris Arnold, who plays the Dame, remains optimistic:
“So much hard work has gone into this show that it is a heart-breaking decision to make, but the good news is that we only have to wait a few weeks to when we can bring it to the stage during the February school holiday, so all is not lost. By then, people will be desperate for some good news as we come out of this winter gloom, and we will be perfectly placed to provide it.”
Traffic Calming Petition
Cllr Antony Tucker presented a petition at the December Full Council meeting, responding to residents’ concerns about the speed of traffic along Spencer Avenue, Spencer Road and Newcombe Road. The petition calls for speed reduction measures on these roads.
The petition, which had 71 signatures, is now closed and local councillors hope to work to progress residents’ wishes with the Cabinet member responsible.
https://www.facebook.com/antforlabour/videos/639409527244140/
New Homeless Hostel’s Open Day
There will be a chance to look around Earlsdon’s new homeless hostel on 19 January 2022, when charity Spring Housing hosts a Community Open Day.
The event takes place at 6-7 Spencer Road CV5 6PA from 12noon until 4pm, when visitors will also be able to meet some of the residents and staff, as well as ask any questions or highlight any concerns
Bin Strike Update
Councillors received the following email this evening.
“Dear Councillor,
We have been notified today by Unite that their strike involving bin lorry drivers has been postponed until the week starting 4 January 2022. We welcome this news and will continue to talk to union representatives in an attempt to lawfully resolve the issues they have raised with us.
It has been brought to our attention that some of our bin crews have received verbal abuse as they go about their work since the strike was announced.
This has largely been directed at the bin collectors – who have not voted to strike – but no abuse, in any format, will be tolerated against any of our employees. Please treat people as you would like to be treated.
We will be sharing the above statement on our social media this evening. And repeating tomorrow and over the weekend if needed.”
Waste Disposal During Strike Period
News Release from the council (shared from Cllr Bally Singh’s post):
“The Council has today set out its plans to provide pop-up disposal sites to help people get rid of their waste following the news that bin lorry drivers are set to strike.
The first round of strike action is set for Tuesday 21 December to Friday 24 December which means there will be no collections next week. More strike action is also planned for after Christmas.
We apologise to every Coventry resident because we know this has been timed to cause maximum disruption just ahead of Christmas. Unfortunately this is out of our control.
We remain committed to continuing negotiations as we want to lawfully resolve this issue to ensure full service is resumed as quickly as possible.
In the meantime we have put a number of plans in place to enable some collections to go ahead and to ensure that residents are able to dispose of any extra waste as easily as possible.
There are a range of ways people will be able to dispose of rubbish while we try to find a solution with the Unite union. We would like to thank the people of Coventry for their patience.
You can take securely bagged waste to one of four pop up disposal points:
War Memorial Park car park – CV3 6PT
Hearsall Common – CV5 6GN
Cheylesmore car park – CV1 2HJ
Sowe Common car park – CV2 2AE
Sites will be open 7 days a week between 8am and 4.30pm from Tuesday 21 December – except bank holidays.
There is no need to book – just turn up.
How the pop-up sites work:
Please make sure waste is bagged securely to avoid any spillages. We recommend double bagging waste. We always recommend you wear gloves when handling waste.
On arrival you will be directed by the on-site team. Height restrictions for vehicles are in place and we cannot accept vehicles that are over 6ft 9in or 2.05m.
Only bagged waste can be accepted and no bulky items can be taken. Please take your bulky items to the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (Tip) on London Road.
You will be asked to unload your bagged waste from your car into a holding area. The on-site team will take it from there.
You will then be directed to the exit.
Pedestrians need to use the same entrance points and will be directed by the on-site team.
We can’t accept bulky items. So, please take your recycling and bulky items to the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (Tip) on London Road.
You will have to book a slot to use the Tip. To book a slot, either visit our website at https://www.coventry.gov.uk/tipbooking or call our Customer Services team on 08085 834333
Garden waste collections are paused until February so the brown lidded bins provide a good additional storage facility for any waste that won’t fit in the household or recycling bin.
All teams that are working on 4 January will be diverted to collect waste from our most vulnerable residents alongside communal bins at blocks of flats and apartments. These locations are prioritised due to the amount of waste that is created / contained in each bin.
Teams working on 7 January will collect household waste from all homes that usually have a Friday collection.
Our website is the best place for the most up to date information. It will be updated as the situation develops. www.coventry.gov.uk/bindays and www.coventry.gov.uk/dropsites “
A Christmas Carol – Albany Theatre
As this show will have finished its run long before our next printed edition comes out at the end of January, we are providing an online only review now.
Described in the programme as “the perfect family-friendly alternative to a traditional panto” A Christmas Carol, is directed by Kevin Shaw, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Albany Theatre, is on till 26 December.
The story needs little introduction, but this tale of Christmas conversion from miserliness to merriment is just what we need at the moment. The cast consists of just seven actors, interchanging roles by the simple but effective use of additional accessories, such as a bonnet, apron or cloak, and portraying the whole range of characters between them. They also act as narrators, and an additional audience as they are all, for the most part, ever present on the stage, sometimes sitting at the side and providing additional reactions to the action.
The paucity of actors is perhaps a little stretched when Ebenezer Scrooge is taken to his own earlier life by the Ghost of Christmas past, and ends up not just spectating these scenes, but joining in as a representation of his own younger self. This provided an interesting different perspective, seeing how immersed Scrooge was in these scenes, but making it harder to portray current day Scrooge’s immediate reactions to his reviewing of parts of his life.
The portentous spirits are heralded by striking effects and vivid lighting to great effect, marking out their otherworldliness and Scrooge’s fear of them. The final ghost is particularly dramatic. The appearance of Marley’s chained ghost is reinforced, not only by bulges and distortions in the wall behind him, but by the other actors creating an impressive web of chains across the forestage, symbolising the burden Marley bears and hopes to prevent Scrooge from enduring.
The gripping action is interspersed with harmonised carols and the occasional dance, sometimes underlining the emotiveness and sometimes adding a spark of festive cheer. Scrooge’s final transformation from gloomy meanness to jubilant generosity is joyous, leaving the audience enveloped in seasonal warmth, heightened, rather than diminished, by any imitation snow.
Allesley Old Road Petition
This petition has been launched asking to further improve road safety on Allesley Old Road and roads nearby and oppose Government plans for an £8 Charging Zone in Coventry.
This link is provided for information and not because ECHO is recommending that people sign (or equally that people should oppose it). These are complex issues and everyone needs to think in details of the impact before supporting any of the proposals or campaigns.
This ePetition runs to 08/02/2022.