Summary

  • Updates on Monday 4 April 2016

  1. Amazon's Down's syndrome T-shirts 'promote hate'published at 15:24 British Summer Time 16 September 2020

    Heidi Carter, who has the condition, says she almost cried her eyes out after seeing them for sale.

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  2. Warwick to have maximum crowd of 474published at 15:11 British Summer Time 16 September 2020

    Warwick is given approval to be just the second British racecourse in six months to welcome spectators - but only a maximum of 474 will be allowed into Monday's meeting.

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  3. Gillingham beat Coventry on penaltiespublished at 21:11 British Summer Time 15 September 2020

    Coventry City are knocked out of the Carabao Cup 5-4 on penalties by Gillingham, who rescue the tie with a 94th-minute spot-kick equaliser.

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  4. Coventry residents 'directed to Inverness for Covid tests'published at 18:09 British Summer Time 15 September 2020

    People living in parts of Coventry are struggling to get coronavirus tests, an MP has told the Commons, with some being directed to testing centres in Scotland.

    Zarah SultanaImage source, Parliament TV

    Zarah Sultana, Labour MP for Coventry South, said constituents had been telling her of their "distress and their despair" at not being able to book a test.

    "Some can't book a test anywhere while others have booked only to be turned away, at the centres," she told MPs.

    "And there are cases of people in Coventry being directed as far away as Inverness," she said, describing the system as "a complete utter farce".

    Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the system was facing an "enormous challenge" after a sharp rise in demand.

    He told MPs tests should be prioritised for those who needed it most, including those in care homes.

  5. Blaze disappointed at suspension of seasonpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 15 September 2020

    BBC CWR Sport

    The Coventry Blaze have said it's disappointing the Elite League won't be starting again in December.

    They were in third position when last season was brought to an early end because of coronavirus and managing director Mike Cowley said: "We were hopeful with the progress we'd made."

    Blaze playerImage source, Scott Wiggins

    The clubs had hoped to start the new season slightly later than usual, in December, but have now voted to suspend the season.

    They unanimously decided that unless they could have at least 75% of their usual number of fans, they couldn't make enough money.

  6. E-scooter trial put on hold days after rolloutpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 15 September 2020

    Safety concerns were raised after reports of e-scooters being used on pavements.

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  7. Players isolate after football club Covid outbreakpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time 15 September 2020

    Coventry United FC say "numerous" players and members of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

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  8. Football club forced to go into isolationpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 15 September 2020

    All the players and staff at Coventry United football club have gone into isolation, after "numerous" cases of coronavirus were confirmed.

    The club, which plays in the Midland League Premier Division, postponed its match against Newark last week after a player and a member of staff reported symptoms.

    More cases were found when tests were carried out.

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    It will mean the club won't play again until 19 September at the soonest and they've had to drop out of the FA Cup, because they couldn't play their game against Evesham United.

  9. Officers attend 'Samurai sword umbrella' call-outpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 15 September 2020

    Officers armed with a taser were called to reports of a man with a Samurai sword in Leamington Spa.

    Man in fancy dressImage source, Warwickshire Police

    But "upon engagement" the officers sent to Warwick Street found something quite different, the Warwickshire force tweeted. , external

    "The 'sword' was found to be an umbrella with a sword-hilt handle," it said.

    Posting a picture of the man involved, it added "not everything is always as it seems".

    "Cosplay safe!"

  10. 2012 Olympic torch-maker goes bustpublished at 19:13 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    The West Midlands car parts firm blames conditions in the automotive sector and Covid-19.

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  11. Special school closed amid coronavirus outbreakpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service
    Tom Davis

    A special school in Coventry has shut for two weeks after a Covid-19 outbreak.

    Castle Wood Special SchoolImage source, Google

    Three positive cases have been confirmed at Castle Wood Special School, on Deedmore Road, with “several” symptomatic students or teachers.

    Those suspected of having coronavirus were tested at home over the weekend with further home testing planned for Wednesday and Thursday.

    Coventry City Council is yet to disclose whether the positive cases were staff or children.

    However the local authority has confirmed the school has now closed for two weeks as a result and will reopen on Monday, 28 September.

  12. Students told to self-isolate after positive Covid-19 casepublished at 17:04 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    A year group at a Coventry primary school has been told to stay at home and self-isolate after a confirmed case of Covid-19 at the school.

    Parkgate Primary SchoolImage source, Google

    Pupils from year one at Parkgate Primary School have been told to stay away until 25 September.

    A letter to parents on the school website says:, external "Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period.

    "If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities."

  13. Virtual freshers' fair for university studentspublished at 13:54 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    Students join clubs and campaigns online as part of measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

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  14. Men held as shots fired at car in 'gang clash'published at 12:46 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    A man on an e-scooter reportedly opened fire on a car as he was chased and rammed in Coventry.

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  15. Warning to pub customers after Covid-19 casepublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    Visitors to three city centre pubs in Coventry are being urged to be vigilant after a customer tested positive for Covid-19.

    The Flying StandardImage source, Google

    The person visited The Flying Standard, The Spon Gate and the Earl of Mercia on 3, 5 and 6 September, the city council said.

    Nadia Inglis, Consultant in Public Health at Coventry City Council, said: "Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in cases over the last few weeks which have been associated with people visiting pubs."

    A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon, which runs all three pubs, said it had been operating a "comprehensive social distancing and hygiene practices" in all its pubs.

  16. Couple 'deprived' of golden anniversary celebrationspublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    Monica Rimmer
    BBC News

    A couple have spoken of their disappointment at not being able to hold a small family party for their 50th wedding anniversary.

    Sue and Michael Hessian, both 72, were due to have their children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren to their home in Canley, Coventry on Saturday, but the rule of six laws mean they can no longer do this.

    Sue and Michael HessianImage source, Family photo

    "This is a once only chance to celebrate 50 years of marriage with our family," Mrs Hessian said.

    "We're not going to get another chance, we understand the reasons with the virus, but we don't get another chance, it's quite a milestone, we'd have liked an opportunity to see our family we're quite proud of it."

    She said she also had to spend 12 weeks shielding earlier on in the coronavrius pandemic.

    "We want to be careful, we keep to all the guidelines, but it isn't going to happen again, we've been deprived of the opportunity, it's very disappointing."

  17. Two arrested after shot fired at car in 'gang clash'published at 11:05 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    Two men have been arrested after a gun was fired at a car in what police believe to be a suspected "gang clash".

    Armed officers were called to Watcombe Road, Coventry at 16:20 after reports of a man on an e-scooter was being pursued by a car.

    Witnesses described seeing the Audi driver try to ram the scooter before he’s believed to have opened fire at the vehicle, said West Midlands Police.

    The vehicle was later traced to a petrol station on the A45 where two men were detained.

    Ch Insp Paul Minor from Coventry Police said: "The two men we’ve arrested have links to gang activity in the city and we suspect this was a clash between rival groups."

  18. Man charged following flat firepublished at 08:43 British Summer Time 14 September 2020

    A man has been charged with arson following a fire at a block of flats in Coventry.

    Scene of fireImage source, Langar Aid

    The fire was contained to a 14th-floor flat in Wellington Street in Hillfields on Friday.

    Abdu Aden, of Wellington Street, Coventry, has been charged with two counts of arson with intent/recklessness to endanger life.

    He is also charged with possession of a bladed article and is due to appear before Coventry Magistrates' Court.

  19. Man charged with arson after severe flat firepublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 13 September 2020

    The blaze broke out on the 14th floor of the 17-storey block in Coventry.

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  20. Wasps second after victory over Bristolpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 13 September 2020

    Wasps score four of their nine tries in the first 18 minutes as they beat an under-strength Bristol, who earn a late bonus point in a game of 14 tries.

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