107.1 Rugby FM: Local News

Protestors vow to continue greyhound fight

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:03:30 +0100

Protestors say they'll demonstrate outside Brandon stadium for as long as it takes to stop greyhound racing from taking place there.

The group say the sport is cruel and leads to hundreds of dogs dying prematurely each year.

They staged a demonstration outside the track when racing returned there for the first time in five years over the weekend.

Promoters of dog racing at the stadium say their greyhound welfare record is 'second to none' and they'd welcome talks with protestors.

BREAKING NEWS: Charges dropped against Warwickshire fire service manager

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:54:38 +0100

A fire service manager on trial in connection with the deaths of four Warwickshire firefighters in a warehouse blaze has had the charges against him dropped.

Paul Simmons was accused of gross negligence manslaughter but today a judge at Stafford Crown Court ordered the jury to acquit him.

Two other fire service managers, Adrian Ashley and Timothy Woodward, remain on trial in connection with the deaths of Ashley Stephens, Darren Yates Badley, Ian Reid and John Averis in the warehouse fire in Atherstone on Stour back in November 2007.

New war memorial on the way for Ansty

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:43:20 +0100

An appeal to raise funds for a war memorial in Ansty is close to reaching its target.

The village is currently one of only three in Warwickshire that doesn't have a permanent memorial to fallen soldiers.

So far ten thousand pounds has been raised to put the 8ft obelisk on the corner of Grove Road and Main Road.

It's expected to be put in by September.

New road safety campaign for Warwickshire

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:43:45 +0100

Police are concerned about the number of pedestrians being knocked over and killed on Warwickshire's roads.

Officers say mobile phones and MP3 players are becoming a major distraction.

Last year 33 people were killed on the county's roads - although there are no figures on how many of them were using such devices.

Warwickshire Police Head of Incident Resolution, Superintendent Adrian McGee said:

"This may appear to be a trivial issue to some but the risks are clear. It is all too easy for an inattentive pedestrian using a mobile phone to take a quick glance before stepping off the kerb to cross when they should take the time to look both ways properly. This makes it easy to miss an approaching vehicle.

Similarly a pedestrian listening to music impairs their ability to hear approaching traffic. Pedestrians need to be aware of the risks they are unknowingly taking and ask themselves how important is that text, everyone needs to take more responsibility for their personal safety"

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection added:

"The immense popularity of mobile phones and other portable devices presents a major risk to pedestrian safety. It's not uncommon to see pedestrians so completely absorbed in their phones that they are entirely oblivious to where they are and what's going on around them.

People are increasingly using mobile phones on the move to perform complex tasks that demand a huge amount of attention, such as texting, accessing emails and the internet, updating social media or making use of apps. If you are focused on texting or selecting a play list you can't be fully aware of traffic. It's a recipe for disaster"

Appeal for help to buy Binley Woods library

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:07:28 +0100

People in Binley Woods are being asked for their help to buy the village's former library building.

It was shut earlier this year because of Warwickshrie County Council cut backs.

The Parish Council now wants to buy the building and use it for community events.

They want to hear from any community groups who're interested in helping them put in a joint bid for grant funding to help push through a deal.

More consultations over DIRFT expansion

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:39:33 +0100

Developers say public feedback will help shape their plans for a major new development near Rugby.

Prologis want to expand the DIRFT site and build a load of new distribution warehouses east of the A5.

The current DIRFT base already has big names like Tesco based on it.

Prologis are holding a number of consultation events so people can find out more about the plans.

The first is in Lilbourne next Monday (May 21st)

Consultation over DIRFT future

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:50:33 +0100

A public consultation's being launched about a project that could create nine thousand new jobs near Rugby.

Developers want to expand the DIRFT site and put up new warehouses and a rail terminal on land east of the A5 between Rugby and Crick.

The proposals have been talked about for a number of years and they're holding some public events later this month to let people know where they're at with the plans.

The first is at Lilbourne Village Hall on May the twenty first.

Rugby's Tornado - The Aftermath

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:57:28 +0100

The clean up is continuing this morning after a reported mini tornado struck in Rugby yesterday evening (Wednesday)

The strong winds blew down roof tiles and trees in Bilton and Overslade causing significant damage to several houses.

Some homes also lost their telephone connection and Borough Council workmen were out until after dark repairing homes of the elderly.

The Lawford Road, Glebe Crescent and Wentworth Road were among the worst hit when the twister struck just before 6pm with police reporting a surge in calls.

Rugby FM listener Colin Reed described the scene: "I live in Glebe Crescent and it's a mess! I have no fence and tiles gone off my roof. Pics on my wall."

Steve Summers, who lives in the area that was worst affected added "I had just driven out of my drive. A matter of a few seconds later and the tree outside my house ended up in the drive".

Jennie Sargent described the moment that the twister hit: "I just heard this thundering roar getting louder and louder then all hell broke loose for about 15 seconds, watching loads of debris spiralling in the air"

To upload photos of damage to your property and to read the latest, click facebook.com/rugbyfm

Divers brought in to search for missing Wolston man.

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:13:38 +0100

It's been more than 2 weeks since George Summerfield went missing.

Police are continuing to ask for public help in their search for the 77 year old. Rugby FM's Paul Bradbury has been speaking to Acting Sergeant Stuart Powell...

Police look for two men seen talking to missing Wolston pensioner

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:30:46 +0100

George Summerfield from Meadow Road hasn't been seen since March 29th

Officers have had reports of the seventy seven year old being seen with a man in the Rose and Crown pub car park and then with another man on the Brandon bridge.

Listen to Rugby FM's Paul Bradbury speak to local resident Karen Simmons. She's taking part in the search for the 77 year old....and has helped set up a Facebook page to help find him.

Join the group by clicking here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/210781909026594/