| The date of the next Whoberley Neighbourhood Forum has changed from Thursday 13 March to Thursday 27 March at 7.00pm.
The meeting will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Sir Thomas White’s Road. |
Floor furore at Forum
The Earlsdon Ward stretches across the city from Broad Lane in the west to nearly reach Leaf Lane in the east, and so, to reflect these extremes, the quarterly meeting of the Earlsdon Ward Forum moves location. Last quarter it was held in the east, and 2 residents attended; this quarter it was held in the west at the Village Hotel and around 50 attended. Although Forums at the Village are generally well supported, this attendance was abnormal, reflecting the abnormal weather that Broad Lane has been subjected to over the last quarter.
The residents of Broad Lane have suffered from a chronic drainage blockage between Glendower and Guphill Avenues, which manifests itself at times of high rainfall. Over the years they have complained in the normal manner and some remedial action has been taken, but this time they wanted it properly investigated and fixed. Prior to the meeting, houses in the area had been leafleted, and residents had not failed the muster call. In the face of such numbers the meeting was largely taken up by this issue, and related complaints about Broad Lane.
However, thanks to the astute chairmanship of Councillor Hammond, the rest of the agenda was considered. The Forum agenda was:
Police report
Fostering and Adoption within Coventry
Resident parking schemes
Earlsdon Clock, Earlsdon Festival and Earlsdon Drinking Fountain (the relevant details on these 3 items are dealt with elsewhere in this issue)
Flooding in Broad Lane
Police Report
Inspector Susanne Baker, deputising for her Sergeant Chis Harris, reported on parking issues, burglaries and vehicle crime in the ward. There had been 14 burglaries since the last meeting with insecure student households being the most popular target. There had been 2 arrests. Vehicle crime had decreased, with the major offence being the theft of number plates. She reminded the meeting that tamper-proof screws to secure the plates could be freely obtained from the police – contact them and they would deliver. She appealed for Neighbourhood Watch volunteers to contact their local force. As most crimes tend to be opportunistic, the police emphasise prevention – to this end, in the winter, early morning patrols are sent out to warn drivers of the danger of leaving their car engine running and the vehicle unoccupied. Also parking at schools can be monitored. She reminded the meeting of the police local surgeries they run at the Library and in the Memorial Park (see Diary). Questions from the audience followed regarding: vehicles speeding in Broad Lane (school run); the inability of cycling Chinese students at Warwick University to understand road positioning – Inspector Baker stated that much cycle guidance and training was being given to foreign students at the University; and the suggestion of the provision of road calming measures in Broad Lane.
Fostering and Adoption
Coventry does not manage to provide fostering care for around a quarter of its children who need such care, and they are sent outside the city. Cheryl Powell from the city council had come along to make the case for more local fostering. The council have set up a pop up shop in Market Way (10.00am – 2.00pm), where you can pop in to get information and guidance about fostering and adoption. Foster parents receive a maintenance payment for each child they foster, eg. £131.30pw for up to 4 years old, and on top of that the carer would receive extra for themselves, depending upon their experience and training. Fostering can be viewed as a career. Cllr Ken Taylor OBE spoke passionately in support of Ms Powell, stressing that Coventry should be looking after its own.
Resident Parking Scheme
Colin Knight, Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Highways is a frequent attender at the Forum, and instills confidence in the audience because of his quick grasp of issues and the direct answers he gives. The council have accepted that resident parking schemes need to be set up in some areas, and particularly in Cheylesmore and Earlsdon near to the railway station. This has been made more imperative because of the impending Friargate development. Consultants are about to be hired to investigate and report. It is hoped that the resident charge for a permit would just cover the administration costs, estimated at £20pa for each vehicle.
Colin then went on to outline current roadworks in the area – most of which ECHO readers will be aware of from the last issue. He highlighted that Spencer Road/Avenue will be closed from the middle of February for 7 weeks as Western Power is installing a 132kV link between the Hearsall sub-station and the Whitley sub-station. After Spencer Road, Western Power will take the cable down Davenport Road. The Friargate development will occasion another closure from 8.00pm 22 March, when traffic entering the Ring Road from Warwick Road will only be able to turn left. Prior to the junction there will be a right turn to allow access to the station. In answer to a query regarding the break up of the new road surface on Broad Lane, Colin said that several roads have experienced the same fault and that Balfour-Beatty would be returning to redo the work, at no cost, in the summer.
Flooding in Broad Lane
A photo montage was displayed at the Forum to show the extent of road flooding in the area. Neil Thomas, Head of Drainage at the city council, and James Arnold of Severn Trent dealt jointly with this issue, and were given a prolonged grilling by the meeting, as the catalogue of previous events was related. The conclusion was that Severn-Trent would conduct a CCTV examination of the sewer, and report back at the next meeting. Talk of flooding jarred the memories of some non-Broad Lane attenders, who reported drainage failures outside the City Arms, by the roundabout, and at the corner where Gordon Street meets The Butts.
Any Other Business
Not surprisingly Broad Lane had another few issues here, of which the most significant was the condition of the paths across Hearsall Common. Again there was a photo gallery. The paths are difficult to use in any wet weather as they are generally covered in mud. They attract little maintenance, and could be of more use if lighting was installed. Given the lack of a bus service down Broad Lane, these paths were an essential link to get to bus stops at the Village Hotel.
Festival fun begins on Sunday 20 April!
The start of the Earlsdon Festival has been moved forward and will now begin on Sunday 20 April with the ‘Fun Day’ in aid of the Mercia MS Therapy Centre at the Old Clarence pub on Hearsall Common. Festival Chair Nigel Lee said, “Our ‘Tug of War’ competition is set to be part of this and we are happy to back such a worthy cause. Please support this event if you can.”
FESITVAL SONG & FRINGE EVENT NEWS
Music plays a big part in the Festival and in addition to a number of concerts a special song has been recorded that celebrates the occasion in all its glory! “The Earlsdon Festival Song 2014” by legendary band Lieutenant Pigeon is now available to buy. The track, which features students from Jill Purser Theatre School’s Musical Theatre Class, name checks many of the sights and sounds of the Festival and is available to download for £1 from the bandcamp website: http://sentfromcoventrytoo.bandcamp.com/track/the-earlsdon-festival-song-2014.
For those who would prefer a physical copy, a CD with two bonus tracks (“Happy Go Lucky Me” and “Coventry’s Singing Dogs”) is on sale now at Over The Moon, 14a Earlsdon Street priced at £5 – but only 21 are available so get there fast if you want one! All proceeds are going to help fund the Festival..
The Albany Club is one of the Festival’s sponsors this year and four gigs will be taking place at the popular venue located at 10 Earlsdon Street. A charity concert featuring local choirs, singer songwriters and bands including One Voice, Section C, Callum Pickard, Last Train Home and The Moonbears will take place on Friday 25 April. All the artists are performing free of charge. Coventry & District Samaritans and Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind are the beneficiaries and admission will be £3 on the door. This concert has been made possible with support from local businesses – Michael Harris Opticians, A P Harvey Wines, Over The Moon, Miss Ellie’s Homemade, CV5 Creative and the Albany Club itself which has waived the normal room hire fee.
Coventry’s hottest ska/reggae band Barb’d Wire will be celebrating Earlsdon’s 2-Tone links with a special fundraising concert in aid of Coventry Music Museum and the 2015 festival on Friday 2 May. This event will be hosted by the Museum Curator Pete Chambers and there may be one or two legends from The Specials and The Selecter in the audience. It is hoped top ska tribute band Ska-Waddy will also be on the bill. The following night Dark Side of the Wall are a must see for all Pink Floyd fans and the line-up is completed by local favourites The Swains on Sunday 4 May. Tickets for these three concerts go on sale from 2 March priced at £10 each. They are available from the bar at the Albany Club or can be reserved by calling Dave Clarke (DC) on 07956 692375.
As ECHO went to press, many more “Festival Fringe” events were being planned. These are set to include a “Tea and Cake” afternoon featuring a special Earlsdon Festival cake made locally by Miss Ellie’s Homemade, activities at Spencer Park organised by the Friends group and a chance to learn more about the history of the area by joining a guided walk lead by Earlsdon Research Group. As well as appearing on May Day, the Coventry Morris Men are also planning to perform outside The City Arms (8pm) and The Royal Oak (9pm) on Tuesday 29 April. A full listing of events will be published in next month’s ECHO. If your organisation or venue would like to stage an event or activity as part of the Festival please get in touch via their facebook page or e-mail Simon Shaw at ginger.simon@hotmail.co.uk with details before 10 March.
MAY DAY
Massey Ferguson Running Club (Massey Runners) and the Kids Run Free charity are planning to get the May Day festivities off to a healthy start with races at the War Memorial Park aimed at young and old alike. A ‘May Day Mile’ for adults and a Festival Kids Race are set to take place in the morning prior to the official opening of the Festival on Earlsdon Street by the Lord Mayor of Coventry.
The Performance Area will be making a return after proving incredibly popular last year and will again be located near the Royal Oak. Further along the street a dedicated ‘Fitness Zone’ is set to make its festival debut, building on the success of Lean Body Vision’s hula hoop and planking challenges last May and also their fabulous ‘Boot Camp’ demonstration.
Demand for stalls on May Day is very high and over half were booked within the first three days of them going on sale. If you are interested in hiring one please contact Sam and Tilly as soon as possible to check on availability via e-mail: sales@tinderboxtoys.co.uk. (Please note that no more bookings for cake stalls are being accepted).
Volunteer stewards are required for the road closure barriers on May Day. Without enough people coming forward the May Day festivities can’t go ahead. Festival Coordinator Helen Atwood said, “Please ‘do your bit for Earlsdon’ and get in touch. A minimum of two hours of your time is all we ask for. Volunteering always looks good on a CV and you will be playing your part in helping to ensure Coventry’s leading community festival takes place.” No experience is required but you must be aged 16+ and of good character. Please contact Helen via e-mail: helenatwood9@gmail.com.
You can also get in touch with the Festival and keep abreast of its news via social media:
Twitter: @Earlsdonfest
An account of our war days 1939-1945
Many of our older ECHO readers will remember Doris and Jack Smith who ran Fane’s Newsagents at the top of Earlsdon Street (now Brian Holt Estate Agents) for many years until they retired in 1981. Doris moved to the Wirral to be near her daughter, Averil, and kept in touch with this area through her regular copies of ECHO. Sadly Doris passed away, at the age of 95, in 2012, but she spent much of her last months completing her memoirs of World War Two, which Averil kindly sent to us. Here we reproduce her account of the first months of the war and plan to publish more extracts in future issues.
In 1939 there was more and more talk about war and my fiancé Jack made up his mind to apply to join the RAF, rather than wait to be ‘called up,’ when he wouldn’t have a choice between the Army, Navy or RAF. Jack was sworn into the RAF on 1 September 1939 and war was declared two days later. He was sent to Lincoln Aerodrome to train as an air-gunner and wireless operator. He was there for seven weeks, and was then sent to Scotland.
Householders had to buy ‘black-out’ curtain, or dye old ones black to make sure no light chinks shone from windows to guide enemy planes. The ARW (Air Raid Warden) would walk the streets and shout at anyone who was showing a light. There were no street lights during the war, and everyone carried a small torch. Shops didn’t light their windows and important places, like town halls, banks, hotels and hospitals had sticky tape criss-crossed over the windows to help stop flying glass. Sandbags were provided and ‘walls’ built around important buildings too. Householders could buy the thick sticky tape for windows if they wanted, but we didn’t.
Anderson shelters, those made of bent over corrugated steel, were issued well into the war, and weren’t available at this stage of things. Brick air raid shelters were built on one side of roads all around town. This caused an obstruction, even though there were few motor vehicles, especially cars then, and petrol was in short supply and rationed. Cars were only used when absolutely necessary. Petrol coupons were allocated according to how many miles you had to travel to work, or if you were in the forces you were able to get a few more. Petrol cost 1 shilling and 6 pence a gallon during the war, that’s 7½ new pence for 4.546 litres. People walked, cycled or used public transport. Many deliveries were still made by horse and cart – right up into the 1950s when petrol lorries gradually took over.
Ack-Ack (anti-aircraft) guns were mounted on the back of flat-bed lorries and moved around the city to different positions each night. Some nights they were positioned outside our house in Holyhead Road. When they were fired at enemy aircraft, they made the terraced houses shake. During these early autumn days we didn’t know there was a war on. Our lads were being called up, but no news was reaching us apart from hearing that Hitler and Germany had taken Poland and Austria, and of course my Jack was away. I was managing Wharton’s, a newsagents, tobacconists and post office in Stoke Aldermoor, where I worked until March 1940.
During the winter of 1939 – 1940 I was planning our wedding. We had eventually decided to get married after knowing each other for five years and being engaged for two and a half. I went to see the vicar of St. Thomas’s in Keresley, Jack’s parish, and booked Easter Monday, 25 March 1940. I bought my wedding clothes, a beautiful two-piece in dusty pink, using my ration coupons. It was impossible to be married in white unless you already had a wedding dress, because material was difficult to get and it was all rationed. Jack’s Mum bought me a pair of beautiful silk cami-nicks for my wedding day. I went to the same shop in Corporation Street and they had a nightdress which was the same design; ecru Chinese pure silk with ecru embroidery, it was most beautiful so I used some more coupons out of my ration book! One of our friends from the greengrocery trade made my bouquet of orchids. A week before our wedding I had a letter from Jack saying he would be home two days earlier than planned, so I went and saw the vicar and he agreed to marry us on the Easter Saturday squeezing us in at 5pm!
A Summer of activities for NENA
Throughout February NENA (North Earlsdon Neighbourhood Association) has been active in trying to reduce the disruption to residents in Spencer Avenue caused by major cabling works.
In January Western Power announced 7 weeks of disruption whilst they laid cables along the length of Spencer Avenue and Spencer Road. There were fears that residents would lose all parking spaces in their street. With help from Councillor Allan Andrews, NENA pressed for something to alleviate this problem and council officers have now closed the road and introduced residents only parking.
NENA has also carried out a survey of the new street lighting across their area and have fed back to the council a number of residents’ concerns. Generally the new lighting has been well received but there is still some room for improvement, including the lighting of Anarchy Bridge. NENA is also in discussion with the council about the introduction of a permanent residents only parking scheme to Earlsdon.
The Annual Street Sale this year will take place on Saturday 5 July. Members will be contacted shortly with details of how to book their stall.
Dates are also now confirmed for this year’s residents’ meetings. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 4 March when Peter Waters will be talking about the history of the area and the work of the Earlsdon Research Group. Also attending will be City Tree Officer Tim Wetherall who will talk about Coventry’s current tree planting and maintenance policy and its impact on the area. The May Meeting will be held on Monday 12 May and will be an election hustings for the forthcoming council elections. This will be an opportunity to see and question candidates from all of the political parties standing in the Earlsdon ward. This will be a joint meeting with sister association SENA.
Other residents’ meetings will be held on Tuesday 8 July and Tuesday 9 September. Their AGM this year will be held on Tuesday 4 November. As in previous years, this will be primarily a social event and an opportunity to meet neighbours.
Other local events for the diary include the Big Lunch in Spencer Park on Sunday 1 June and the Earlsdon Festival on Monday 5 May. NENA will also be supporting the ‘Bands in the Park’ events in Spencer Park in June, July and August (dates tbc) and is planning a social event in the Autumn probably a Beer Tasting Evening.
More details of NENA activities are available from their website and from their Facebook page.
Date for new vicar
The Collation Service of Rev’d Tulo Raistrick as Vicar of Earlsdon will be held on Sunday 11 May at 3pm in St. Barbara’s Church. The Bishop of Coventry and Archdeacon Pastor John Green will officiate. ECHO hopes to meet and interview Rev’d Raistrick for a future issue.
Churches fight litter
The churches of Earlsdon and Chapelfields are organising a Litter Pick-up on the first Saturday of each month from 9.15am – 11.15am starting in the roads around each of the local churches. Members of the public are welcome join them.
The meeting points will be outside the following buildings:
5 April – Earlsdon Methodist Church; 3 May – Hearsall Baptist Church; 7 June – St. Barbara’s Church; 5 July St. Mary Magdalen Church; 2 August – All Souls Church.
Further changes to bus routes through Earlsdon
Another revision to local bus routes is planned to take effect from 23 March. These have come about in response to the anticipated disruption on Warwick Road caused by the Friargate development work which starts then.
The bus operator National Express intends diverting the number 18A service, which currently runs to Tile Hill via Warwick Road, Kenilworth Road and Cannon Park. The change is that this service will run via Albany Road and Earlsdon Avenue South before picking up its old route at Kenilworth Road.
This is in fact a change from an initial proposal to make changes to the number 11 and 12 services to Warwick University. As part of this original plan a new bus stop would have been created in Earlsdon Avenue North, opposite Earlsdon Library, for the University-bound service, mirroring the one on the library side for city-bound services. This had already been subject to consultation with affected residents with mixed results, with some concern about traffic issues balanced by other people welcoming the possibility of an additional stop.
The change of plan means the new stop will not now be required for 23 March but Centro has indicated that this could turn out to be more of a postponement than a cancellation, depending on National Express’s future operational decisions.
Hearsall Residents Association Launched
The new residents’ group for the Hearsall area was launched at a meeting on 3 February at the Spencer Club.
Around 30 residents attended, as did Whoberley ward councillor Bally Singh and the police, who were represented by Lee Froggatt and Joanna Jones-Kiamou.
The common issues that residents were keen to tackle in the area were:
- Wheelie bins being left out on pavements, blocking people with pushchairs or those with wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Many bins are improperly filled and left uncollected.
- Security gates are being left open or are in disrepair, walls around gates have crumbled leaving the gates useless. The area is a crime hot spot but when complaints are made to the council or landlords nothing is done.
- Street cleaning is not being done and some gardens have rubbish left in them. Albany Road bridge is particularly bad. Fly tipping is a problem on some streets and entries. It was suggested that a group of volunteers could organize a litter pick.
- There were some concerns about Kingston Road becoming a cycle path and anger that residents were not consulted until the plans were nearly completed.
- The area has a high number of students and others in shared accommodation, and many felt the landlords should take more responsibility for their properties and tenants.
It was agreed the group should meet again to discuss these problems further and the next meeting was arranged for Monday 24 February at the Albany pub. Unfortunately this fell into the period while the March issue of ECHO was at the printer’s, meaning it was too late for us to report on it in this issue but too soon for us to let people know that it was happening.
Chairman Paul from Kingston Road explained to ECHO that the plan for that meeting was to work in small groups, each group considering solutions to different problems including gates, bins, litter, the condition of infrastructure (roads, lights, pavements etc.), creating a network of residents to solve problems and build community spirit, funding and organization.
The group has yet to be named officially – Paul refers to it as ‘The Hearsall Group’ but wants to see if another name gains popularity. Anyone wanting more information about the group can contact Paul by email at: hearlsdon@yahoo.co.uk
Calling all artists
Albany Theatre is launching an exciting new project for the summer and is offering opportunities to get involved. Applications are invited from people over 60 with a personal story to tell, digital artists and creative performers aged between 16 and 25.
Storytellers
If you’re in your 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or indeed your 100s and have a moment of your life story that you’d like to share, join your new community theatre for a special high tea at 4pm on 20 July. While you’re enjoying cakes and sandwiches, you’ll meet a team of talented young actors, who will ask you questions about a special song that tells a wonderful sad, happy or extraordinary story from your past. Every participant’s story will be performed on stage as well as filmed – making a perfect gift for your spouse, children or grandchildren. It’s said that the past is a place that can never be visited but with the magic of theatre; who knows what is possible?
Digital artists
A team of talented digital artists with skills in film, photography or video is needed to create a visual/aural environment for performance. This is a chance to show what you can do and add to your portfolio by working with young performers and professional writers and directors. A budget of up to £100 will be available to successful applicants. With your application, include a CV and describe your experience in up to 500 words.
Performers
The project is giving performers aged between 16 and 25 the chance to take part in a challenging, exciting summer school, working with leading directors and writers, from 25 to 30 August. Successful applicants’ costs for the week are subsidised by Albany Theatre and will be £60, while a small number of bursaries will be available. Auditions and interviews will be held on 10 and 11 May. Include a passport-sized photo and a brief paragraph outlining any previous performance experience.
Applications to participate in this project should be made by 30 April, to Ms Alexandra Johnson, Albany Theatre, 53 The Butts, Coventry CV1 3BH or by email to info@albanytheatre.co.uk.