GOOD SAMARITANS

POLICE are tracing two good Samaritans who helped a young woman that was assaulted.

The pair, described as being Eastern European or possibly Polish, separated two women near the Swanswell Tavern, in Primrose Hill Street, Hillfields.

The 17-year-old victim from Radford was assaulted by another woman who was walking by just before 7pm on Sunday December 13.

The victim was not seriously hurt but she shaken up, the offender left the scene heading towards Swanswell Park.

Police are appealing for any witnesses, especially the two men who intervened, to come forward.

Anyone with information can officers at Little Park Street police station on 0845 113 5000.

'POPPY' THEFT MAN JAILED

A “DESPICABLE” thief who stole a poppy collection tin on Remembrance Day in Coventry has been jailed.

Trevor Kelly, of Wellington Street, Hillfields, swiped a British Legion charity box from Barclays bank, in Daventry Road, Cheylesmore, just two hours after people across the city stood in respectful silence to commemorate fallen war heroes.

The 33-year-old had already stolen two other poppy donation boxes in the days leading up to Armistice Day. He took one containing £30 from the Belgrade Theatre on November 6 and another, estimated to have held about £50 in spare change, three days later from Hogans Bar and Bistro in Keresley.

Kelly also made off with a collection jar for charity Water Aid from the Premier Inn hotel, in Kenpas Highway, on November 28.

He was arrested on December 10 by a police officer who recognised him from CCTV stills that had been circulated among cops.

Last Friday, Kelly appeared before Coventry Magistrates Court and was sentenced to 15 weeks imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, and a further five weeks for failing to appear for an earlier court hearing.

Sergeant Greg Richards, of Little Park Street police station, said: “Kelly always dressed smartly to avoid arousing suspicion but, when left alone or out of view, he’d tear the tin free and conceal it under his clothing.

“We’d always encourage charities to secure collection boxes securely with a metal chain, rather than with string, and certainly not to leave them free-standing.

“To steal money destined for the families of soldiers who have either been killed or injured in conflict is despicable – and even more so on the one day we’re asked to respect their
sacrifices.”

LIFE-SAVER SONGS

BURSTING into song while trying to save someone’s life might not seem appropriate – but it
could lead to a successful resuscitation according to
boffins at Coventry Univer-
sity.

Research by a team at the
university found that singing Nellie the Elephant while
performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) might help keep recommended compression rate of 100 beats per
minute.

A total of 130 untrained CPR staff and students were given a brief demonstration on a resuscitation manikin and had one minute to practice while listening to a metronome – a device that produces regular beats.

Then participants were asked to perform three sequences of continuous chest compressions each lasting one minute.

One was accompanied by no music, another with repeated choruses of Nellie the Elephant and finally listening to That’s the Way (I Like It) by KC and the Sunshine Band.

Both songs were chosen for their tempo – 105 beats per minute for Nellie the Elephant and 109bpm for the latter.

Results found just under a third of those listening to Nellie delivered compression rates close to 100bpm compared with 12 per cent for no music and nine per cent for KC and the Sunshine Band.

But it also increased the proportion of compressions delivered at an inadequate depth.

Professor Malcolm Woollard, Coventry University’s director of the pre-hospital, emergency and cardiovascular care applied research group, has been carrying out the research with a team.

The serving paramedic of 25 years said: “Nellie the Elephant along with The Archers has been recommended by resuscitation trainers for as long as I can remember, so people get the right compression rate.

“Although the method is a bit tongue-in-cheek the results are genuine and will hopefully help people to carry out CPR correctly.

“It’s important people are trained because it’s usually a friend or family member that will need CPR, so everyone should be motivated to learn.

“Although difficult to remember, there isn’t a bad way of
doing it, just ways of doing it better. You cause more harm by not attempting CPR at all and it’s a myth the procedure gets the heart going again. It doesn’t, it only keeps the blood pumping until paramedics arrive.

“Behind all this we are trying to find a good rhythm to help carry out CPR. But we’re still looking for that tune so
welcome any suggestions!”

What do you think? If you have any songs that could work write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

DELAYS AT RAILWAY STATION

PASSENGERS queued for up to 30 minutes at Coventry railway station to get a ticket claim union leaders.

They have launched a fresh attack over the closure of railway ticket offices after claiming the queue in Coventry reached a record 100 metres over the weekend.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said passengers had to wait up to 30 minutes on Saturday December 12 to buy tickets, with “harassed” staff telling some travellers to pay at the end of their journey.

The union is balloting more than 120 Virgin Trains workers at 14 stations between London Euston and Glasgow on strike action in a row over closures, with the result due on December 23.

Stations include Watford, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Manchester, Preston and Carlisle.

Any industrial action will not be held until the New Year.

The union said the Coventry queue snaked 100 metres across the concourse to the entrance door, and would have stretched out on to the pavement if many passengers had not bought tickets from machines.

Gerry Doherty, TSSA’s general secretary, said: “It’s simply outrageous passengers are now forced to wait 30 minutes to even buy a ticket and face an even worse service in the New Year.

“They already pay the highest fares in Europe and yet they are treated like cattle. A standard return from London to Manchester costs £247 - it is cheaper to fly Virgin to New York than it is to get a return ticket on one of their trains to Manchester.

“Last week Richard Branson talked about flying tourists to the moon. He should concentrate on planet earth and provide an affordable railway where the passenger comes first, not last.”

A spokesman for Virgin Trains said: “Despite the best efforts of station staff to sell tickets, passengers were being asked to purchase tickets on trains. A message was sent to on-train staff advising of the situation. We apologise to any customer who was inconvenienced.”

Were you effected by long queues at the train station or have an opinion? If so write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

MORE TURBULENCE AT CITY AIRPORT

COVENTRY Airport could be forced into liquidation amid rumours of spiralling debt.

The airport, in Baginton, is facing an uncertain future after the company that owns it was served a petition to ‘wind up’ its business.

Bosses at the city’s airport – which has been up for sale since May of this year – are due to appear in court next week.

The petition was handed over to airport owners, West Midlands International Airport, on October 23 and a hearing is due to take place at London’s Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday December 9.

The application was made to the High Court by HM Revenue and Customs.

If the court grants the petition and makes the winding-up order, Coventry Airport will be placed into compulsory liquidation.

Brian Cox, airport director, said: “West Midlands International Airport is aware of the High Court petition and is actively seeking a solution. No further comment will be made at this time.”

The airport has had an unsettled year.

In November 2008 the Times exclusively reported that Thomsonfly would be pulling out all its flights from Coventry, just one month after Wizz Air pulled its flights from the city to Poland.

Thomsonfly operated 35 flights to eight destinations across Europe each week and the airline had been due to launch four new routes this summer.

But airport bosses remained optimistic and continued to insist that the company was still open for business.

In August the company invested in an Executive Jet Centre to handle the growing number of executive aviation movements and cargo.

Coventry Airport teamed up with luxury chauffeur drive company, First Class Cars, to provide top of the range ground transportation for clients using the centre.

A month later, airport bosses revealed they were in discussions with an interested buyer, but refused to say who it was.

CONSULTATIONS OF SCHOOL EXPANSIONS

CONSULTATIONS on plans to expand 17 primary schools in Coventry got underway this week.

The proposals have been drawn up in response to a rising birth rate over recent years.

As the Times reported in December last year, an influx of families moving into the area and the city’s booming birth rate has caused education bosses to look at expanding several primary schools to cater for extra children.

Figures released by Coventry’s Primary Care Trust showed that in 2000 there were 3,600 babies born – this increased by nearly 30 per cent in 2008 to 4,500 births a year.

Now the PCT and information from GP surgeries have indicated there could be a deficit of 411 reception year places in September 2012.

Work has already gone into addressing this issue with 15 primary schools due to be expanded by September 2010.

During the consultations officials will also be looking at 17 schools, which have been identified as having the potential to expand either by September 2011 or 2012.

These range from utilising existing accommodation, installing modular classrooms and partial and complete new builds.

The consultations, which last until January 25, 2010, will include a public meeting at each of the 17 schools, where people can see an outline of proposals and have a chance to give views and opinions.

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for children, learning and young people, said: “The consultation is very important as it gives us the opportunity to get a variety of different views on how our primary schools should evolve in the future and I would encourage people to find the time to take part and let us know what they think.”

For more information on the proposals and to take part in the consultation, visit www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolconsultation.

The primary schools involved in the consultation are:

September 2011

*Allesley

*Hearsall

*Henley Green

*Holbrook

*John Gulson

*Moseley

*Southfields

*Spon Gate

*Stoke Heath

September 2012

*Alderman’s Green

*Grange Farm

*Howes

*Moat House

*Sacred Heart

*St Augustine’s

*St Bartholomew’s

*St Osburg’s.

TRUST HITS BACK AT HEALTH REPORT

THE HEALTH trust running Coventry’s super hospital has been named as the country’s third worst performing in the country.

The Hospital Guide, published by the Dr Foster organisation, lists University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust (UHCW), as one of the worst for patient safety standards.

It put Coventry joint third based on 13 separate criteria which includes a range of mortality figures, the overall death rate and that for heart attack and stroke patients, the death rate for people admitted with hip fractures and those who were taken to hospital for low-risk procedures or diagnoses.

But Coventry’s University Hospital has challenged the findings of the report.

It has been rated “good” by the official health regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and a spokesman for the hospital trust said various inspections over the last year prove it is not failing patients.

Kerry Beadling, communications officer for UHCW, said: “Dr Foster uses the results of a questionnaire survey, as well as other submitted data. However, the methodology used for overall assessment has not been shared and the Trust believes the data on which the analysis was run was incomplete in relation to UHCW Trust.

“We would like to reassure our patients and public that UHCW prioritises patient safety at all times and the Dr Foster rating does not accurately reflect this, as evidenced by a number of in-depth, onsite, independent reviews.”

She added that in 2008/9 there have been 40 per cent fewer cases
of C.Difficile than in the previous
year while mortality rates have decreased for three years in a row.

Paul Jennings, chief executive of NHS Warwickshire, also defended UHCW.

He said. “We know UHCW very well and we have a much more complete picture than that given just by statistics. The new data from Dr Foster only adds a tiny fraction to that. UHCW is a good hospital trust and patients can be confident of high-quality NHS care when they go there.”

But Roger Taylor, the director of Dr Foster, defended his guide and said more information about trusts should be made public.

He said: “No hospital in the world would claim to be free of these kinds of errors but what has been learned is that recording what is happening and making that information public is the best way to start tackling the issues.”

What do you think of Coventry’s University Hospital? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

LOWEST COUNCIL TAX RISE IN 10 YEARS

BUDGET plans have revealed next year’s council tax rise of 2.4 per cent will be the lowest in over 10 years.

Band A households – 41 per cent of all Coventry homes – will pay around £20 extra on top of this year’s £923.89 bill.

Council leaders say it amounts to 40p a week more and Band B households – a third of Coventry homes – will pay about 46p a week more.

It will be the lowest rise since 1997 and is down on last year’s 3.8 per cent increase.

Final council tax bills will be calculated after the emergency services set their portion of the rates – a small percentage of overall bills.

But under the same plans, around 80 more jobs will be lost at the council as part of a £10 million cuts programme to balance recession-hit books.

This includes “streamlining management structures” by cutting 10 senior management posts and 69 other jobs.

This follows 190 job cuts from this year that included 33 vacant posts.

Council services and outside bodies asked to make cuts or savings include adult social care, community centres and youth services, libraries, the performing arts service, neighbourhood services, grounds maintenance and the trusts running museums and sports centres.

The budget will also help fund multi-million pound borrowing and preparations for private finance initiatives, including the £1billion plan for a new waste incinerator, a £300million schools rebuilding programme, and replacing the city’s street lights.

Charities will take another cut of three per cent in council funding.

Councillor Kevin Foster, cabinet member of finance, procurement and value for money, said: “I’m delighted we’ve managed to protect frontline services and keep the rise in council tax below the rate of increase in state pensions, despite immense pressure on public spending expected over the next few years.

“Our priority has been to support our residents as much as possible during these difficult economic times.”

The budget plans are expected to be approved by the Conservative cabinet on Tuesday December 8.

CHRISTMAS DRINK/DRIVE CRACKDOWN LAUNCHED

WEST Midlands Police launched their Christmas crackdown campaign to stop drink and drug drivers this week.

Since Tuesday Coventry officers have been on high-visibility patrols and they will also be setting up a number of static checkpoints at various locations to carry out roadside spot checks throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

Those arrested for drink driving may also find themselves drug tested as part of the Drug Interventions Programme.

PC Steve Rogers, from the force’s traffic unit, said: “Drink driving is an issue all year, but with the more relaxed atmosphere during the Christmas and New Year period, the temptation to offend becomes greater.

“We urge people not to put their friends, families or members of the public at risk by drink or drug driving.

“Passengers can also help by refusing to be driven by someone who has been drinking or taking drugs, and by appointing a designated driver.

“Remember that by drinking alcohol the night before you could still be over the drink drive limit well into the following day. There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ limit and the answer is not to drink at all if you are driving.

“If you are caught drink driving or driving while under the influence of drugs, the consequences could be wide-ranging, including the loss of your driving licence, which will in turn affect your career and family life. Ultimately you could go to prison. It’s not worth the risk.

“Driving while unfit through drugs is just as dangerous; this includes driving under the influence of prescribed medication and over-the-counter products as well as illegal substances. These can affect perception, concentration and reaction times.”

In last year’s campaign more than 20,000 drivers were stopped, of which 4,155 were breathalysed, compared to 3,420 tests carried out in 2007.

Of those, 12.7 per cent tested positive, a drop on the previous year’s percentage of 12.8 per cent.

Nationally, almost one in seven of all road deaths involve drivers who are over the legal limit.

Research shows men in their 20s and 50s are most likely to offend.

ENVIRONMENT GROUP UP FOR NATIONAL AWARD

AN ENVIRONMENTAL group set up in the Wood End area of Coventry is up for a prestigious national award.

Eco - Way To Go, which started up 18 months ago in the New Deals for Community area, is up for the Phillips Lawrence Award.

It celebrates outstanding contributions made by young people in their community and who also challenge negative stereotypes and perceptions.

Eco - Way To Go consists of 14 members aged seven to 18. They meet once a month and tackle environmental issues such as making the area look clean and green and encouraging wildlife.

Roles such as chairman and secretary are undertaken by younger people to provide them with an opportunity to learn new skills, gain confidence and have trust placed on them.

Nicole Heaney, a youth support officer, who started the group, said: “I am really proud of the members and this nomination is completely about them and their hard work.

“It would be so great to win just because of the sheer hard work everyone puts in.

“It’s really helped to build their confidence and would be good if they were recognised for it.”

Some of the activities the young people have taken part in include, four litter picking days where they collected around 100 bags of rubbish and meeting with two government ministers to talk about local issues.

Group member Luke Bates, nine, said: “I like doing the cleaning things because I want to look after the environment. I have lots of fun working with the group, like when we’re litter picking in Henley Green.

“I would like to stay a member for a long time.”

The award ceremony, which takes place on December 8, was set up in 2007 in memory of head teacher Philip Lawrence who was murdered outside his school, in December 1995.

Frances Lawrence, widow of Philip Lawrence and founder of the awards, said: “It is always inspiring for judges to read nominations from across the country which describe how young people are working to improve their communities.

“In remote rural areas and in the midst of large cities they create projects which imaginatively tackle problems of crime, discrimination, and anti-social behaviour.”

Winners of the award, hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald, receive £1,000.

DEFIBRILLATORS FOR CITY

COUNCIL venues across the city will stock defibrillators to provide vital life-saving help to people suffering heart attacks.

Coventry City Council is to spend £15,000 on 15 automated external defibrillators (AED) that can be used if someone suffers from a cardiac arrest.

West Midlands Ambulance Service will be training staff members to use the AED, which is a computerised device that check heart rhythm and recognise if it needs a shock.

A decision to buy the equipment was made at a council meeting last week.

Councillor Kevin Foster, cabinet member for finance, procurement and value for money, said: “If the victim of a heart attack gets the right kind of help as soon as possible, then their chances of survival are vastly improved.

“Many people either work in, or visit council buildings everyday, so it makes sense for us to invest in buying the AEDs.

“The cost of this equipment is £15,000, but the value of one life saved cannot be estimated.”

The 15 locations, which are given below, have been selected based on factors, including the number of staff and visitors and the ambulance response times to different areas.

*Council House

*Civic Centre One

*Broadgate House

*Faseman House

*Registrar’s Office

*Central Library

*Maurice Edelman House

*Harry Caplan House

*George Rowley House

*Cottage farm Lodge

*Canley Community Centre

*Bell Green Community Centre

*Coombe Country Park

*Allesley Hall Park/Golf Course

*War Memorial Park

RATE QUALITY OF LIFE IN COVENTRY

THOUSANDS of Coventry people are being interviewed as part of one of the biggest surveys looking at the quality of life in Coventry.

Around 3,500 people will have face-to-face household interviews during December, with an opportunity for residents to complete the survey online too.

The poll will collect views on community involvement, housing, environment, health and wellbeing, community safety and transport, with results being announced in February 2010.

The research, being carried out by the Coventry Household Survey, will also gather information to assess physical and mental well-being, as well as any potential health or lifestyle inequalities.

Councillor Ken Taylor, leader of Coventry City Council said that local services should be tailored to meet the needs of a changing population and the survey will help improve the quality public services.

He added: “People know what their priorities are and it’s important to provide the right services at the right times. Public services must improve and become even more effective and efficient. This survey will help us deliver them in the best way possible.

“For the first time the community can reply online and we really do value their opinions.”

The survey, in its sixth year, is funded by Coventry’s Primary Care Trust, the council and has been commissioned by the Coventry Partnership.

Stephen Banbury, chair of Coventry Partnership, said: “This survey gives Coventry people the opportunity to let us know their views of local services and it is important that as many households as possible complete the survey, so that partners know where to improve services.”

The online survey is for people aged 16 and over until December 24.

Visit www.coventry.gov.uk/householdsurvey.