PARENTS MEET WITH MP TO DISCUSS CRUMBLING SCHOOL

PARENTS who want a crumbling primary school rebuilt took their plight to a city MP.

Members of the parent action group met with Coventry North East MP Bob Ainsworth to discuss John Gulson School in George Street.

Campaigners are calling for the Foleshill school to be rebuilt because of its poor state.

They met with Mr Ainsworth, who is also the defence secretary and is backing their campaign, last week.

Parent Sam Begum, who has three children attending the school, spoke to Mr Ainsworth.

She said: “He was very insightful and helped by giving suggestions on how we can take our campaign further.

“He suggested getting a resolution from all councillors and getting them to vote on our cause.

“Mr Ainsworth is on our side and said that the school is irreparable.

“Our next step is to contact all councillors and see if children’s secretary Ed Balls will visit the school.

“Failing that we would like to meet him in London.”

Last month more than 30 mums and dads demonstrated outside the council house with placards and carried pictures of the school’s peeling paint, leaking cisterns and cracked plaster.

They handed in a petition with 1,346 signatures to a cabinet meeting which was headed by Councillor John Blundell (Con, Wainbody).

Councillor Blundell, the cabinet member for children, learning and young people, said there wasn’t enough money for a new building and pledged a programme of maintenance and improvements instead.

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EASTENDER STAR ORGANISES FUNDRAISER AT RICOH

SOAP star Adam Woodyatt is organising a fundraising event at the Ricoh Arena to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.

A family fun day will be held at the stadium’s Jaguar Exhibition Hall on Sunday February 28 featuring cast members from EastEnders.

Adam, who plays Ian Beale in the BBC1 soap, and lives in Southam, south Warwickshire, wanted to organise a fundraising event in the Midlands and started brainstorming ideas on his Twitter page.

EastEnders’ stars set to appear so far include Pam St Clement, Samantha Womack, Scott Maslen, John Altman and Michelle Collins.

There’ll be live music by local bands, dancing, indoor fair attractions, question and answer sessions with soap stars and opportunities to pick up autographs and signed photos in return for donations to the Haiti earthquake relief appeal.

Liz Cooper, marketing director at the Ricoh, said: “The number of people getting involved is growing by the minute.

“We’re looking at real key stars from EastEnders and maybe even actors and actresses from Coronation Street, Holby City and Hollyoaks – this is going to be a really big day.

“It’s great that people like Adam are giving up their time to raise funds and the Ricoh will do its bit as well.”

Ticket details will be announced shortly. The day will begin at 10.30am and finish around 5pm. All of the proceeds will go to the Haiti appeal.

COVENTRY MARKET SCOOPS TOP AWARD

COVENTRY’S beloved indoor market has won the title of Britain’s favourite market.

The city centre market won the top national award after securing the most votes of shoppers anywhere in the country.

It was the only category in the awards organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) which was decided by public vote rather than a judging panel.

Traders publicised the awards and urged regulars to register their vote for the market online.

Coventry Market officials, who attended the awards ceremony in Birmingham last week, said that it was a testament to how well regarded the market is by its customers.

Brian Sexton, market manager, said: “Market traders have worked very hard to collect the votes and there was a huge campaign to get everyone behind us. We came close to winning it last year and it’s great that we’ve won it now.

“Coventry people should be very proud and hopefully it will attract more people from across the country to visit the city.”

But the news comes as the market faces an uncertain future as it battles plans by English Heritage to award it Grade II listed status.

Council chiefs have joined forces with market traders to oppose the listing as it would hamper plans to redevelop the market as part of the £1billion Jerde development.

A review of the decision is due to take place in March.

Councillor Kevin Foster (Con, Cheylesmore), deputy leader of Coventry City Council, said: “I’m really delighted for the market traders and those who use the market.

“The next bit of good news would be for the government to overturn the listing and allow market traders to look forward to being able to become part of the 21st century city centre and the regeneration plans we would like to create.”

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MP URGES TO BULLDOZE RUNDOWN HOME

A COVENTRY MP is backing a campaign by residents to get a derelict house knocked down.

Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson is supporting a bid by neighbours to get the problem house in Tay Road, Radford, bulldozed and the area around it cleaned up.

He has written to Martin Reeves, chief executive of Coventry City Council, urging the authority to use its full powers to help remedy the situation.

Mr Robinson said: “The council has allowed this situation to drag on for far too long. The council has the power to take strong action on grounds that this derelict building is having a severe impact on the surrounding area in terms of the social environment.

“Coventry City Council also has the power to undertake clean-up work themselves under section 219 and recover the costs from the owner. I would urge the council to take positive steps sooner rather than later as these residents deserve to live in peace.”

The issue was being discussed at a council meeting today.

'SCAMNESTY' MONTH IN COVENTRY

RESIDENTS are being urged to report any bogus letters that promise prizes as part of a ‘Scamnesty’.

The Office for Fair Trading began its Scam Awareness campaign this week, which runs until February 26.

It comes after an influx of bogus companies who call, send letters or emails claiming people have won big prizes and ask for cash up front.

In Coventry, a 66-year-old woman lost £40,000 to various lottery scams while another resident lost about £30,000 to a Spanish lottery company.

Councillor Hazel Noonan, city services cabinet member, said: “Scams can be recognised because they are received out of the blue, promising something for nothing and usually ask for money up front.

“Typical scams to be aware of include fake foreign lotteries, prize draw notifications, bogus psychic predictions and ‘phishing’ scams which involve email messages appearing to be from a genuine organisation, such as a bank or building society asking for personal information.”

Coventry residents are being encouraged to take part in ‘Scamnesty 10’ and report any scams they receive to Consumer Direct.

Mike Lynn, from Coventry Trading Standards, said: “Last year we received more than 100 mailings from residents, with foreign lotteries topping the list of most complained about.”

For more information visit www.coventry.gov.uk/tradingstandards or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04

POPE MAY VISIT COVENTRY

THE POPE has officially confirmed he will visit the UK this year for the first time, bringing a widely tipped trip to Coventry one step closer to becoming reality.

In a speech to the Catholic bishops of England and Wales to mark the end of their pilgrimage to Rome, Pope Benedict said: “On the occasion of my forthcoming apostolic visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and, as successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it.

“During the months of preparation that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion, and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart.”

No dates or an itinerary have been given at this stage.

He is widely expected to visit the archdiocese of Birmingham, which contains Coventry, for the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

And despite Newman spending half of his life in Birmingham, Coventry Airport has been mooted as a possibly location for a visit. Last week a leading promoter of Cardinal Newman’s cause suggested that Coventry Airport would be an ideal location, because it had already proved itself as a suitable venue during the visit of Pope Benedict’s predecessor Pope John Paul in 1982.

If a visit to the city is announced it is expected to be on either September 12 or 19 and will form the finale of the entire three-day Papal visit to Britain.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO HELP 'HIDDEN CARERS'

A CAMPAIGN was launched this week to help thousands of ‘hidden carers’ in Coventry who look after loved ones without any support.

Of nearly 30,000 people in the city who care for someone without any help from health and care organisations, more than 20,000 do not see themselves as carers, and do not register on the radars of such organisations.

The worrying figures come from newly launched NHS service, Carers Direct, which is promoting a new helpline to these carers to find out what practical and financial support may be available to them.

Pauline Dye, manager of Coventry Carers’ Centre, said: “So many carers take on the role without even realising it. Often it starts with offering to help elderly relatives with shopping, or checking if they’ve taken their medication, which can quickly develop to caring for several hours or more a week.

“On the other hand, becoming a carer can happen overnight as a result of a medical emergency, an accident or the birth of a child with disabilities.

“Without help and support, before long, carers can find themselves struggling with what can be very physical and mental demands, trying to balance work and home life, and potentially risking their own health and wellbeing as a result.

“It is important that carers are aware that there is help out there from local organisations like Coventry Carers’ Centre or the Carers Direct helpline, whether it’s just having someone to talk to, guidance on financial assistance or simply understanding the support available to them.”

It is estimated that 6,000 people become a carer every day across the UK, often doing so out of love, devotion or duty.

The campaign is being supported by Dr Hilary Jones and celebrities Sir David Jason, Paul O’Grady, Tony Robinson and Arlene Phillips.

Carers can obtain free information, support and advice by calling the Carers Direct free phone helpline 0808 802 02 02, or visiting website www.nhs.uk/carersdirect.