This year St. Mary Magdalen Church is supporting Stop the Traffik, raising awareness of human trafficking and slavery. On Saturday 22 February 10.30am to 12noon they will be holding a Fairtrade (but no trade in bodies is fair) Coffee Morning. There will be an opportunity to win Body Shop goodies. All are welcome.
Business news
Ben is back! After closing his Sweeny’s Barber Shop business in Coniston Road after 29 years in October and a brief spell working at Francesco’s in Leamington, Ben Pasik has returned to work in the area. He can be found at Emmerson’s Barber Shop in Upper Spon Street (opposite Spon Gate School) on Mondays from 9am to 6pm (closed 1pm – 1.30pm). Ben has been there since 25 November and has already been welcomed back by many of his old customers. He is there on his own and offers free tea and coffee plus newspapers to read for customers old and new. You can contact Ben on 07790 635844.
A brand new restaurant has opened in Albany Road, situated between the two railway bridges, opposite Winifred Avenue. The P&T Restaurant (Persian and Tandoori) offers a new cuisine for this area – Persian, which is far more wide ranging than the almonds, saffron and vine leaves you might be expecting.
The restaurant has an impressive range of starters, kebabs and traditional Persian dishes which include several vegetarian options, as well as grills, and seafood. There are numerous exciting deserts including Persian ice cream. Additionally there is a “help yourself” buffet for £9.95 daytime and £12.95 in the evenings. One very special feature is the clay oven for baking Persian flat breads. P&T can accommodate up to 80 diners, and has a takeaway area as well. It is open every day from 12.00 noon until 11.30pm.
The manager of the P&T is Persian and is Aghaye Keshavarz, known as Reza, who has been working in Coventry for 14 years. This air-conditioned restaurant is large and spacious, and very open, with a clear view of the cooking area, which is presided over by Mahommed Lashgary the chef, who is new to Coventry but comes with 20 years experience in cooking. P&T has its own house crockery, and there is a fresh red rose on every table matching the red serviettes. Outside there is a decked area which will permit alfresco dining when the days are longer and warmer. P&T does not serve alcohol, but welcomes diners to bring their own drinks, for which they will provide glasses.
So if you’re looking for somewhere new to go on Valentine’s Day, then phone the restaurant on 7685 0205 and reserve a table, but don’t forget to take that special bottle with you along with the chocolates. What could be more romantic? However there is nothing to stop you going before that – especially if you are hungry and fancy dipping into the buffet.
Helen Clasper is a local mum running baby massage classes at Queens Road Baptist Church. Tiny Toes Massage meets on Thursday mornings. It provides a chance to bond with your baby, increases the baby’s muscle tone, helps him or her to sleep and eases tummy pains. It also gives parents a chance to socialise. Contact Helen for cost and booking details, by calling 07815 742094 or email.
Earlsdon Street Post Office is one of only two post offices in Coventry to be able to offer a range of new current accounts to customers in partnership with Bank of Ireland.
A recent report into current account switching indicated that 41% of customers would consider switching to the Post Office as it offered value for money products and is a trusted brand on the high street.
Bob Sharda of Earlsdon Street Post Office said: “The move into the current account market has strengthened the Post Office’s position of becoming a trusted alternative to the major banks offering customers everything from mortgages to credit cards making it a one-stop option for all their financial services needs.”
There are three types of account. The Standard Account comes with a debit card and offers “free in credit” everyday banking for those who want a current account with a straightforward, easy-to-understand approach to banking fees and no hidden charges or unexpected surprises. The Packaged Account provides a range of additional benefits such as European Multi-Trip Family Travel Insurance, Vehicle Breakdown Cover and Identity Theft Protection services for a monthly fee of £8. The Control Account helps customers keep control of their finances and is a fully functional, “inclusive” bank account for those who are new to banking, potentially on lower incomes or who have had difficulty with default bank charges in the past. For a fixed monthly fee of £5, no further charges will be made for payments that are returned unpaid, such as direct debits and standing orders.
Customers can call in to talk through their options with specially trained staff, who will be on hand to discuss the accounts on offer and which one will best suit their individual needs. They will also be able to assist with the completion of the application form as well as transferring direct debits. Customers can also register their interest by going online.
Earlsdon RFC off to a winning start
On Saturday 4 January Earlsdon RFC hosted their local rivals Old Coventrians on a very cold and wet day. Earlsdon captain Chris Scott kicked 5 penalties and converted Phil Graham’s try to give Earlsdon a 22-5 win in a game played on a heavy pitch.
A week later they travelled to Old Leamingtonians and came away with a well deserved win. Earlsdon took the lead with a lovely try by top scorer Rhys Roberts, converted by Chris Scott, and went further ahead after Scott kicked a penalty. Old Leams came back into the game with a well worked try from a line out to make it 10-7 to Earlsdon. The game deteriorated in the second half when 2 Earlsdon players and 1 Old Leams player were sin binned after a brawl. Whilst down to 13 men Earlsdon scored a try when winger Tom Walker scored under the posts, converted by Scott. Old Leams scored a try of their own before brothers Callum and Andrew Forsyth scored further tries, one converted by Scott, to keep Earlsdon second in the league with a 29-12 win.
On 18 January, Earlsdon entertained top of the table Spartans RDC and after a terrific display, won by 36 points to 18. This was Earlsdon’s best display of the season. Two early tries from full back Rory McPheators set the home team up for a fantastic win. Further tries from winger Tom Walker and a push over try from No 8 Andrew Forsyth, plus 18 points from the boot of Chris Scott, gave Earlsdon the win and put them top of the league. Captain and fly half Chris Scott has been selected to play for the GB Police rugby team. As ECHO goes to press, Earlsdon were preparing to travel to ever improving Banbury RFC.
Modern European History course for adults
The European History Workshop, run by tutor Dr Angela Jianu, is an established history seminar open to all in the heart of Earlsdon. New members are always welcome. Those interested can express an interest by logging on to the website or they can simply turn up for the first session. Here is an outline of the study programme:
Europe 1900: France, Britain and Germany (10 weeks).
Recommended preliminary reading: William Morris, News from Nowhere, 1890 (free online access and cheap paperback editions widely available).
Themes for the spring term:
- Defining our terms: fin-de-siècle, modernism, decadence
- Socialism and Anarchism in fin-de-siècle Europe: the masses, the lone assassins and the legacy of Karl Marx
- Race Hygiene, Neurosis and the Fear of Degeneration in Society and the Arts
- Art for art’s sake or art for public consumption? (the Arts and Crafts movement; the Glasgow School, Symbolism in France and Britain)
- French Impressionism between aestheticism and politics (Gustave Caillebotte, Toulouse Lautrec)
- Women in the arts: roles and representations (the Pre-Raphaelites, the French Impressionists)
- Two Central European artists and their time: Arnold Böcklin and Gabriel von Max
- Symbolism in France and Britain: Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, G. F. Watts , Aubrey Beardsley
- Utopian visions of a better world? (William Morris, News from Nowhere, 1890)
- Germany and France in WW1 – the war’s impact on society: the work of August Macke, Franz Marc, George Grosz; the Panthéon de la guerre; Edouard Vuillard, André Dunoyer de Segonzac
The course starts on Monday 3 February 6.30 – 8.00pm. The venue is St. Barbara’s Church Meeting Room, (car parking and coffee-making facilities available). The course fee is £100 for 10 weeks. For further details please visit the website.
Chapelfields woman back from Russia looks for help
Coming back to a rainy Coventry seemed a breeze for Chapelfields resident, Carol Brown, who braved temperatures of -20ºC in Moscow on route back to the UK. Carol, who was in Volgograd at the time of a series of terrorist bombings, has been putting the finishing touches to a musical programme between young musicians from Coventry and Volgograd. Carol told ECHO “The recent atrocities in Volgograd remind us of who our friends are and what they mean to us. For over 70 years now Volgograd and Coventry have been friends. A friendship that emerged from another horrendous time when 900 women from Coventry who had survived the Blitz sent messages of support to the women who had survived the Battle of Stalingrad, embroidered on a tablecloth.”
In April 2014 the Volgograd Children’s Symphony Orchestra will be coming to Coventry to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the formalisation of this friendship into what has become the start of the Twin City movement that criss-crosses the world. 70 years after their grandmothers, great grandmothers and aunts made contact the children of the two cities will be meeting, talking, listening and playing music together.
Carol added “The reason for my visit was to make sure all was going to plan for the visit of the young musicians in April. Continuing and strengthening this bond of friendship between Young Volgograd and Young Coventry provides an opportunity for people from both cities to celebrate the friendship through music played by our young people.”
Five days of events and activities will culminate in concerts at Coventry Cathedral on Friday 4 April and at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham on Saturday 5 April.
Carol added “We have been given some amazing support from VTB Bank, the Regional Governor and Rotary International in Volgograd and by the Lord Mayor, Performing Services Team, Coventry University, CBSO, CAIF, Coventry Rotary Club and Coventry Cathedral.”
Yuri Ilynov, Conductor of the Volgograd Children’s Symphony Orchestra, said “We have been touched by the interest and support from Coventry during our recent losses. The cities’ links emerged from troubled times and we are looking forward to being in Coventry to demonstrate how strong this friendship still is today.” Victor Kiyashko, Director of Volgograd Philharmonia, added “We are very proud of the achievements of the Children’s Orchestra and their conductor Yuri Ilynov and the role of ambassadors of our city. This will be a great opportunity for them to meet young musicians and students in Coventry and develop their own friendships.”
2014 is the year of Russian and UK Culture and both Coventry and Birmingham will be in for a treat to meet and see some exciting young talent from Russia and their own cities. Carol is looking for financial assistance to support this, concluding “We still need to raise some money for the Coventry Programme. If anyone can help us either through sponsorship or a donation, then please get in touch with me by email.“
Resource Centre news
Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind (CRCB) in Earlsdon Avenue South continues to be very busy with social groups, ICT classes, the music group and their latest project, cookery classes for blind or partially sighted people.
All the Christmas events held at the Centre, including the Winter Warmer and volunteers’ party, were very happy occasions. The pantomime presented on behalf of the Centre which was held on 5 January at St. Martin’s on Green Lane was well supported and a great success. Next year Caramba Theatre are hoping to perform Wind In The Willows so that’s something to look forward to!
Urgently Required
CRCB is looking to recruit group facilitators to lead and organise social groups for people who are blind or partially sighted, with immediate start dates.
There are separate vacancies for a youth group and social and friendship groups for older people. There are also vacancies for teaching small groups of blind or partially sighted people to cook easy healthy meals in their specially adapted kitchen.
They are also looking for volunteers to support these groups and also for help with office and general tasks.
If you are interested in any of the above, or know someone who might be, either as a volunteer or group leader, please contact Rookie at the Resource Centre on 7671 7522.
Protecting your property
The Earlsdon Neighbourhood Police Force is asking local residents to take at look at their homes from the perspective of a burglar. PCSO Greenway gives some tips on how to protect your property.
We often see a seasonal rise in burglaries at this time of year. Improving your home security is the best way to reduce your chances of being burgled.
Most thieves are opportunistic, with offenders looking for easy targets. Thieves will weigh up the chances of being caught against the potential rewards. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to improve security; spending a little time and money on security measures can seem daunting but it is a good investment, even if you rent.
Try to look at your home through a burglar’s eyes:
- If you think your security looks poor, chances are a burglar will too
- Where could you break in without being seen?
- If you have forgotten your keys and can still get in, so can the burglar
- Can you tell when you are out of your home or away on holiday?
- Can you see your car keys from the outside? Your keys and car will be very tempting for a car thief
Neighbourhood Watch is a great way to feel safe and get to know your neighbours and reduce crime. If you want more information on how to set a scheme up or get involved contact us using the details below.
We have also been told about a number of architectural thefts in the area including the theft of coping stones from some properties around Earlsdon. If you see anything suspicious or you are worried about your property, please contact us.
As always, the Earlsdon Neighbourhood Police Force are available to spend time with our residents and carry out a survey of your premises so we can assist in making the home or shed/garage a harder target to burgle.
We also hold monthly police meetings at the War Memorial Park, Earlsdon Methodist Church and Earlsdon Library. All dates and times are on local boards and the website (below). These are in place so that you can come and speak to us in person about any concerns you may have.
Contact the team:
For an emergency – 999
For non-emergency – 101
Earlsdon Police website
Earlsdon Twitter account
West Midlands Police website
West Midlands Police Facebook site
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Schools news
HEARSALL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Hearsall Primary School are delighted to welcome back the Headteacher, Mrs Emma Billington, from her maternity leave. Lots of exciting events have been happening at Hearsall over the last couple of months. Christmas was celebrated in style with a very successful Christmas Fayre which was held at the school and raised around £600. Friends of Hearsall, the school’s PTA, will use this money to purchase outdoor play equipment for the playground.
Many congratulations to the school choir who reached the semi-final of the Free Radio Christmas Stars competition, singing Love Shone Down. They also performed at a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas Singalong evening involving staff, pupils and parents; and during Late Night Shopping on Earlsdon Street where they got very wet, but their Christmas spirit was not dampened!
This term has already got off to a flying start with Reception having a magical dressing up day and enjoying lots of different magical experiences. Year 1 have had a visit to Canley Fire Station where they were even allowed to use the hoses! They enacted their own Great Fire of Hearsall as part of their Great Fire of London project. Year 2 visited Coventry city centre as part of their Town Planning and Artificial Environment topic. This helped them to understand how urban facilities support the needs of the local community.
Year 3 dressed up as Romans for their Roaring Romans day, the culmination of their Romans topic. They had a Roman Banquet, learnt Roman numerals and some Latin; and role played a gladiatorial event. Year 4 played football at Woodfield School – well done to the team. Year 5 went to the Herbert to explore how museums work and particularly enjoyed the Elements Gallery, which appealed to all their senses. Year 6 had a 1930s dressing up day as part of this term’s theme.
Hearsall is looking forward to many exciting events in the up coming term, such as a Children’s Disco, a Film Night and, on 22 March, a Family Social Event.
ALL SOULS PRIMARY SCHOOL
All Souls Primary School had its Ofsted inspection last term and was given a Good, which they are very pleased about. Now they are getting back into the swing of things with the Christmas festivities being a distant memory. There is another busy term ahead for all the children with many events planned.
The school were entertained by Performers from M and M Theatrical Productions to showcase the pantomime of Peter Pan. All children in Years 1 to 6 enjoyed the opportunity to watch the panto which was very entertaining. Some student volunteers from Warwick University are going in to support the children with their reading skills and to give some help in teaching French. Coventry Rugby Club players are working with Year 2 children with a programme of Reading and Rugby. The players are listening to readers and then the children enjoy a lesson on rugby skills.
Year 6 children are learning to ride their bicycles safely through the Cycling Proficiency programme. They learn many of the rules and skills of riding their bikes which will enable them to go out onto the roads with confidence.
The school’s football team reached the semi-finals of the Coventry City five a side Community Cup. They are still training hard for the up and coming fixtures in the league and cup competitions. The Year 3 and 4 team will be competing in a five a side competition at Woodlands School. Netballers continue their league and cup matches this term, still unbeaten so far.
Some Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils took part in the Coventry Swimming Gala at Tile Hill Wood School. There were many first placed swimmers in the different events. The children finished second in the competition, a super team performance. The Cross Country season is back on again with the Year 5 and 6 girls in action at Bishop Ullathorne, they then go on to the team competition later this term.
A huge congratulations to the school’s Dance Off team who have successfully got through to the semi-finals of the Great Big Dance Off competition. A video recording was made of the team performing their Rock n Roll/Street routine which was then sent to a panel of judges who picked All Souls as one of their semi-finalists. The team will be travelling to Birmingham Town Hall on 5 February to compete in the next round of the competition.
Children and some members of staff are busy training for the Coventry Half Marathon. They will be running a total of 12.1 miles during sessions each morning over 5 weeks and then they will be competing in the final mile during the event on 23 March. Supporters are welcome to come along and cheer them on. Year 6 children will be competing in an indoor rowing competition this term at Warwick University – at least it will be dry!
EARLSDON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Congratulations to Miss Kate Ingram who married Mr Richard Last on 21 December. She also left Earlsdon School to take up a new profession and the school wishes her well in both her new life and her new career. Mrs Alison Fenerty also left at Christmas after 16 years with the school. Earlsdon is delighted that she has agreed to do some supply work for them when needed.
Year 1 chose the story of Plop “The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark” as their December production. The performance followed on from the children’s learning this term, all about owls. The shows were amazing.
Mr Hook masterminded a special CD of Christmas songs and each year group plus the choir had a track of their choosing on it. The school were delighted to sell nearly 200 copies.
Year 5 visited Coventry Cathedral – the following is written by Clara and Chloe from 5G: “On Wednesday 11 December, Year 5 went to the Cathedral for the Christingle Service. When we got there the priest introduced us to everyone. After learning what Christingle oranges are, we sang Christmas Carols. Some schools did a performance or a reading. When we finished we were given oranges to make Christingles at school or home, if we wanted to! We had a great time at the Cathedral.”
They also enjoyed their project on biscuits, which Emmi and Tom from 5G wrote about: “For the past couple of weeks we have been learning about biscuits. We went to the Co-op to see what biscuits are already out there. Then we went around the school with a questionnaire asking what types of biscuits people like. We all brought our ingredients and made our own biscuits. The names of the biscuits were: Stereos, Star Delight, Chocolate Monster, Caramel Delight, Biscuit Burst, Star Frazzle, Crystal and Supercalafradgelisticexpealabiscuit! We designed the adverts, to include a mouth-watering picture, slogan in bold writing, caption and logo, designed and made our packaging, jingle and filmed an advert.”
Foundation and Key Stage 1 had a wonderful visit to the Warwick Arts Centre to see Room on the Broom. Lucy from year 2 said “It was brilliant, I liked the witch best. It wasn’t scary, but it was funny! The best bit was when the Dragon came!”
The school choir were extremely busy over the end of last term. They performed on Free Radio and sang to the residents of Boston Lodge and Elsie Jones House. They also performed at a Candlelight Service at the Methodist Church in Coventry city centre. Then as soon as they came back after the Christmas break they performed at the Young Voices Concert at the NEC, Birmingham.
Robyn Foster from Class 5WA has won a national Christmas card design competition. Her card will be sent to 250,000 people, plus she received a prize of vouchers for Hobbycraft. Well done Robyn. Not to be outdone her younger brother, Joseph, was chosen to appear on Dancing on Ice when he became a pageboy during the routine by Sam Attwater and Vicky Ogden.
Finally there is Mason Daw who, following his success in Nativity 2 was chosen to appear in Nativity 3. Add to this a sprinkling of parents who became extras for the day and you have a whole bunch of talent from Earlsdon School!
Year 2 are to be visited by Freshwater Theatre who will perform a play based on the Great Fire of London which is their project this term. Meanwhile Year 6 are to attend a special performance and workshop of Macbeth at the Warwick Arts Theatre.
Criterion mindgames
The Criterion Theatre in Earlsdon is gearing up for its latest production, Mindgame, which opens on Saturday 1 February and runs until Saturday 8 February. The story revolves around true crime writer Mark Styler, who believes he has snared the coup of his career when he gets an interview with a notorious psychopathic serial killer. But when he arrives at Fairfields Prison for the criminally insane, he finds things cannot be trusted, and nothing is as it first seems. Mindgame is a rollercoaster of a play by master of mystery and suspense Anthony Horowitz, creator of Foyle’s War, Murder in Mind and the Alex Rider series of novels for teenagers.
Director Anne-marie Greene observes that the play taps into the current popular obsession with serial killers. “Over the last two years, there have been no fewer than seven new dramas on television about serial killers, with the popularity of the genre demonstrated by the recent furore over the decision to axe Ripper Street. The play puts our interest in deranged killers in the spotlight, asking what makes sadistic serial murderers different from the rest of us, and examining why we are at once repelled and fascinated by them. It is also very timely, as the infamous Broadmoor Hospital – on which Fairfields Prison in the play is almost certainly modelled – celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013.”
The play is creatively staged, involving some of the most experienced actors at the Criterion, and is guaranteed to keep you guessing at every twist and turn. If you liked Sleuth or The Usual Suspects, you’ll probably love Mindgame.
Tickets are available now at Criterion Theatre.
SENA diary dates
A wet beginning to the SENA (South Earlsdon Neighbourhood Association) new year, with a soggy but amiable and informative walk through the woods followed by a pleasant coffee together for the group in the warm of the City Arms. Since then, we’ve begun our planning for the year. Here are dates so far agreed:
26 February: SENA meeting and AGM – Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind, 33 Earlsdon Avenue, 7.30pm.
5 May: Earlsdon Festival. SENA will have a stall at the festival again, where we’ll explain to interested people what we’re up to, and welcome new members.
6 May: Earlsdon Hustings. An important first for the area. SENA and NENA together are arranging an open meeting for all Earlsdon residents when the various candidates for the local city councillor’s position will be telling us what they consider to be the main issues for Earlsdon in the present and the future, and why they should be our chosen councillor. Details about venue and timings to follow.
1 June: National Big Lunch Day, in the Spinney. More details about this later.
21 or 22 June: Midsummer’s Walk. More details about this later.
6 September: SENA STREET SALE.
21 September: Autumnal equinox walk. More details about this later.
Throughout the year Ray Wilson will be keeping you up to date with what is happening in the woodland project, and in particular the dates for litter picks, plantings and other relevant activities.
Have a good 2014, and we look forward to seeing you during the year.
Mike Torbe, SENA