Why defibrillators are more useful in shops

I AM surprised that the city council refused to allow defibrillators to put in the city centre – but I also can understand why.

They would be abused by certain people and stolen or damaged. The best place for these to be on hand is in shops with a sign showing they have this defibrillator on their premises. This is a something that can save lives and the quicker this is used, the better for the patient to have their life saved.

Also, if this is in shops, you can have someone who could be train to use it if required, whereas the normal public would have to go through the instructions and this would take a little longer, so I agree that they have taken the right decision.

I would like to see more of these defibrillators in shops and offices.

We must thank St John’s Ambulance and the Red Cross for all they do in their work of training people to use these machines. You both do a good job.

I am a former cadet officer of the City of Coventry Cadets. John Bevan Binley

Ward forums were useful to residents

OH how lucky the people are that reside in Westwood ward to have the chance of a ward forum and meet their councillors. Many people in the city do not have this facility. Bablake ward is one I can refer to. We have two councillors – one Conservative, one Independent, who do attend certain meetings. The Labour councillor I have not seen in years. Like our MPs, people in public office should be available to offer their time or what are they being paid for? The ward forums were useful, and people could talk to the councillors. Councillors want people to vote for them – what if people turned the tables and said no ward forums, no votes? The councillors do not seem to want the public to interfere and want to do things their way, even if the public are not happy.

Well done to the three Westwood councillors who value their residents, and continue to give such good service. It is a great pity other fellow councillors do not take a leaf out of your book and follow your fine example of meeting the people. Sandra Camwell Bennetts Road South

Time to reflect on Woodlands School

WE were reminded in the letters page (Sep 12) that it is shortly the 64th anniversary of the opening of Woodlands School, now closed.

Although many warned the opening of Finham Park free school would put the viability of other local schools at risk, the application included a letter of support from the Labour cabinet member for education.

The Woodlands reunion will not only be a time to reflect on its many successful years but also a time to remember that local politicians failed to give the school and Tile Hill Wood School the support that they needed. Paul Graham Nuneaton

Almost tempted by golden age return

P WILSON (Sep 13) paints such a rosy picture of the past that even I, a firm EU advocate, am momentarily tempted by the wish to return to that golden age of innocence.

I’m reminded of Arthur’s dream in the Lerner and Loewe musical, Camelot: “The rain may never fall till after

sundown By eight, the morning fog must

disappear In short, there’s simply not A more congenial spot For happily-ever-aftering than here In Camelot.”

But that, too, as we and Arthur learn, was just that – a dream. Kevin Cryan Radford