Civic celebration for Cov’s rugby success

I AM writing in response to Michael Smith’s call for a civic reception for Coventry Rugby Club (Apr 26).

I want to assure Mr Smith that as soon as it became apparent some time ago that Coventry Rugby Club were National League One champions, my office has been working with the club to arrange a celebratory event.

This has been in the diary for some weeks now and the civic reception will take place at St Mary’s Guildhall on the evening of Tuesday, May 1, following the end of the club’s season. On a personal note, I have regularly attended Coventry Rugby Club home games this year and no one is more delighted with their success than myself. Indeed I will be there on Saturday with the Lord Mayor of Hull for the City of Culture 2021 handover.

Throughout my year in office, I have had a particular passion for the magnificent and diverse arts, culture and sport that our wonderful city has to offer. I also know as a city, we will always recognise the achievements of teams and athletes in our city.

To that end, we are working on recognising the achievements of Coventry athletes who competed in the recent Commonwealth Games and we will of course recognise the football club if they are promoted this season, which we all very much hope they will be. It is wonderful to see so much success being achieved by sporting teams and athletes in our city and long may it continue! Councillor Tony Skipper, Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry

I know it’s tough to sell tickets

B MORTON (Apr 26) invites me to respond regarding my appreciation/ support of entertainment and culture with regards to Coventry having a civic hall.

I sing with two local choirs and volunteer at The Albany Theatre, so I know just how difficult it is to put bums on seats. As concert manager of The Coventry Savoy Opera Society I know what a hard time we shall have selling tickets for our Mikado production in June. The age group this will appeal to are not so keen to venture into the city at night. There seems a reluctance to support amateur productions unless children are involved. As for the Symphony Hall – I last attended some years ago when Andy Williams performed but in general I make for an appalling spectator. Crowd scenes have a nasty habit of unleashing my inner Dalek. Besides that I don’t like rip-off prices and you couldn’t pay me enough to set foot in Birmingham nowadays. Richard Allen Whoberley

We knew exactly what we voted for

A WEEK before the EU referendum, the then Prime Minister David Cameron said in a speech that a vote to leave the EU was also a vote to leave the single market and the customs union.

Some remoaners are stating we didn’t know what we where voting for – well we did.

Coventry overwhelmingly voted to leave but our MPs don’t appear to respect the people they represent.

Write to your MPs and request that they honour their commitment to a democratic vote by the people of Coventry and not the dictatorship of their political party.

I emailed mine and didn’t get an answer, but come a general election he will expect one from me. Paul Alders Allesley

Sending thanks to valued volunteer

I WRITE regarding the Kenilworth Road woodland (both sides) from the A45 traffic lights up as far as Abberton Way.

The improvement to this woodland in the last three years is frankly spectacular and deserving of some sort of civic recognition in my view, as it is largely down to the voluntary efforts of one individual.

Going up from the lights, there is a woodland path in popular use. Much poisonous laurel of no value to wildlife has been cleared, with low levels of regrowth. There is a woodland floor of dappled sunlight with dormant plants reappearing, bluebells, wild garlic, lord and ladies, stumps for passers-by to sit on.

A Facebook page has been established attracting positive comments. Positive relationships have been established with owners of adjacent properties.

About 1,000 council-supplied whips have been planted, some as hedges to driveways, some beside the path, some adjacent to the roadway. Someone has planted an oak with a plaque commemorating a family member, symbolic of how this woodland has changed for the better. Due to the improvements, there is less dumping of detritus.

Work has begun on the return from Abberton Way back down towards the lights. Taking the two sides together, this could form a very pleasant circular walk. Supportive council improvements could include wooden footbridges over ditches and signage at appropriate points.

In Tony Rose, the community has a most hardworking and invaluable volunteer warden with a detailed familiarity and knowledge of the place, its users and owners of adjoining properties. Tim Claye Coventry Tree Warden