Anger at ward axing
Closing a psychiatric ward at St Cross hospital and then move it to Nuneaton is surely an unnecessary cut and could lead to redundances and would affect the elderly of Rugby, and why should the sick be moved to Nuneaton which also makes it an added problem for families who visit them?
This is the second ward to close in two years, and which ever party gets in after the election they should make these closures the top of their list.
We have a wonderful hospital in St Cross with a hard working team where everyone gives their best, we must all protect the hospital and all who work there.

Stan Buckley
Reservoir Rd
Rugby

Councillor stands down

I AM writing to tell your readers that I will be standing down as a borough councillor for Brownsover South at next month's elections on Thursday 6 May. I have enjoyed my term on the borough council but, for personal reasons, I have decided that it is now time to move on.
As a borough councillor, I've tried to secure a better and fairer deal for Brownsover South. I have enjoyed working with many members of the local community towards that end, and I'd like to thank all of them for their support over the past four years.
How we, as a borough, treat local communities like Brownsover South is terribly important because, for me, a good society is like a good family - it should be judged by how well it looks after its most vulnerable members. This principle has guided my actions in local government. I also believe that the struggle for progress is ongoing - positive change rarely happens without a fight. For this reason, I have tried to be a constant advocate for the interests of residents in my ward.
My time on the borough council has taught me that, contrary to the opinions of some, most borough councillors work hard and take their representative role seriously. I'd like to wish my successor in Brownsover South, and indeed councillors across all political parties, all the best for the future.

Dr Ben Ferrett
Retiring Borough Councillor (Labour) for Brownsover South ward


Hillmorton folk are real gems!

WHAT a creative gang of folk abide around this little jewel we call Hillmorton. Good Friday in Rogers Hall the children of St John's and visiting grandchildren had a fantastic time creating many varied goodies relating to Easter.
Chocolate birds nests, Easter gardens, Pussy willow trees, painted eggs, Easter cards etc. and played an exciting variation on pass the parcel. All this thanks to the creative skills of Janet Addison, Georgina Lenton, Gabriella Byers, Chris Bunyard, Deirdre Bull with Andrew and Chris Haines manning the teapot!
Two very important visitors were puppets Sally and Harry who brought God's Love Story of Easter to the youngsters in a child-friendly way. A really great morning. Thanks to all.
This was followed on Sunday and Monday by the Easter bonnet event in church after our well attended Easter Services. A really happy occasion with 41 bonnets decorating our beautiful church among the Easter flower arrangements. Margaret de la Croix had made a gorgeous 'hat' cake to be raffled. Chris Bunyard and sister Sue were selling handsome and useful hand made crafts, and Marie and Pat were serving teas and homemade cakes.
This had been the brain-child of fundraising committee Kate Lawrence, David Bradford and Chris Bunyard who worked tirelessly over the weekend. Huge thanks to them and all the ladies and groups participating and hope we do it again next year.

Rita Atkins
Hillmorton

Thanks to our pothole
heroes!

ON Wednesday, April 7, my family and I were coming home from a family gathering when at about 10.30pm , my brother drove into an unmarked and unseen pothole on the road to Priors Marston. Our front left tyre was shredded and beyond hope.
A lovely girl named Rose stoppped to help us and she went to fetch her dad who is a farmer in the area. He managed to raise the car and put the spare tyre on and we are very grateful to both Rose and her dad. True diamonds. It was kindness of strangers. Thank you Rose and Rose's dad.

Margaret Holland
Redlands
Byfield
Daventry

Loos should be working

I WRITE with disgust at two things. Firstly, while I was in town on Friday I decided to pop into Asda to buy some cigarettes and a couple of other items. As the lady attended to my things on the counter, she called through an intercom system to another lady asking her to bring the key. When I asked her what was going on she said she couldn't open the till because she didn't have a key! She said it was something to do with the amount of money I was spending. It took nearly five minutes for the other lady to arrive with the key and there was a big queue of people behind me getting agitated and impatient.
She apologised for the inconvenience she had caused, which I accepted but I felt I had to remonstrate with her the incompetence of Asda. Surely the lady working behind the counter should have had her own key so that the good folk of Rugby wouldn't have to wait in a long queue each time a certain amount of money was spent.
Secondly, after I left Asda I walked through the precinct and felt the need to go to the toilet. I took the lift to the second floor and walked along to the public convenience only to find a notice on the door saying "closed". I felt outraged as this wasn't the first time I've found that convenience closed and out of order. I had to walk very hastily to North Street to relieve myself. Surely, in a precinct with hundreds of people walking through it, there should be at least one working toilet facility. Whether the toilets had been vandalised or not, I don't know, but getting them back into working order should have been of the utmost importance and top of the list of priorities. I will make sure my bladder is empty before my next venture into town.

Name and address supplied

Thanks for raising cash for charity

I WOULD like to thank the people of Coventry and Warwickshire for raising £93,000 for Cancer Research UK during the last year. This has been raised by pink events for research into breast cancer. Supporters organising a ball, walks, cycle rides, collections, coffee mornings and various other donations it also includes money donated in lieu of flowers at funerals.
This money will help to treat local people who have been affected by cancer, we currently have research at Warwick and Birmingham Universities.
We are fortunate to have a shop in New Union Street who will be thrilled to receive your unwanted clothing, CDs, videos and gifts to sell to raise valuable funds too.
If anyone else is able to help Cancer Research UK during the next year to continue funding our scientists, information nurses and clinicians to help local cancer patients please telephone my local Volunteer Mal Haddon on (024) 7646 4530, she can help with press and support materials too.

Mrs Jan West
Area Volunteer Manager
Cancer Research UK

Caldecott Park is
wonderful

MY WIFE and I would like to say what a wonderful day we spent in Caldecott Park on Easter Sunday. The weather was good, the park was blooming with flowers and the entertainment laid on by Justin Ottman and Harry Bryan for the children of the borough was superb.
It's good to see that despite the recent miserable weather and worries of recession, two young men and a small group of volunteers can give up their time and energy to provide a couple of hours of fun and enjoyment to the children and parents.
Well done everyone, you certainly made our Easter Sunday a special day.

Mr and Mrs Johnson
Bilton

'Inhumane' mouse traps

AFTER being alerted by a pest controller that the 99p Store in High Street, Rugby, was selling zero glue rodent traps, I raised my concerns over the cruelty connected with these with the shop manager. I have also reported the retailing of them to the Trading Standards office. However, the offending item still remains on their shelves.
The traps comprise of a glued surface so designed for a small rodent to get stuck on. The result could be an animal left dying of starvation or injuries for days. I have a copy of the Pest Management Alliance - Codes of Best Practice, regarding the use of glue surfaces, issued February 2010, which was produced after consultation with Defra. It clearly states that the humane use of glue boards is the legal responsibility of the pest controller only and cannot be delegated to untrained people. All technicians must be suitably trained and competent in their application. Defra also recommends that pest management consider all other options for rodent control before glue boards are used.
I have written to the head office of 99p Store asking that it immediately remove these horrific items from their shops and implore Rugby people not to buy these traps.
I must add that as an animal lover I do not believe in killing any creature and ask readers to always purchase a humane trap, where the rodent can be released.
Janet Cummings
Tower Road, Rugby