- I just loved your front page story last week (Warick Courier) regarding the town gaining city status. I almost fell for it.

A shame that you weren't able to use it earlier, there being no issue dated April 1. Congratulations to whoever dreamed it up. A real corker. The author should go on to make a fortune with more classic 'pie in the sky' stuff along with JK Rowling. It's way up there alongside 'spaghetti growing on trees' recited by Richard Dimbleby in 1957.

The lesson in higher mathematics from Coun Peggy Bennett (Con Warwick West) was illuminating. The councillor could have mentioned that in 2914 Warwick will have existed for 2,000 years, by which time, with a following wind, the Market Place may look halfway decent, one or two more shops may open on a Sunday when the tourists need them, and the contractors may have completed their work on the Shire Hall project. Additionally, by then we may know when and where to put our rubbish out, sorted into 47 different boxes, for occasional collection.

It was pleasing to note that town council leader Coun Gerry Guest really demonstrated that he has his finger on the public pulse, in saying that he's not sure people would be willing to pay the extra council tax necessary...
Thanks for the entertainment. - Denis Williams (address supplied).




- Of course, we should be known as the City of Warwick.
We haven't got a cathedral, but we have got a magnificent church, which was proposed by some Warwickians, briefly, soon after the Second World War to take the place of the demolished Coventry Cathedral; although, I think a few Coventarians had different views!

We've got a Bishop (of Warwick), but I don't now where he plies his trade, nor where his palace is located. Would a castle do?
We've got a university (in the top 16 in the country), but its location is a little bit beyond the city limits.

We have lost an Earl, but we have gained a Lord (Taylor of Warwick), who doesn't seem to feature much in our lives.

So, we have a lot more going for us than some of the other 'cities' that have gained that status in the last few years. - Sam Nelson, Beaurevoir Way, Warwick.




- Why do the council imagine that being a city would encourage more visitors to Warwick? It sounds as though they are planning a bid before researching possible advantages.

I think Warwick is pretty well known as a town, with a castle that attracts people to the town. Perhaps the council should be looking at offering attractions to bring visitors into the area - some positive draws are the folk weekends and to a lesser extent the carnival.

If it involves higher council tax, I for one would be against it. No doubt it would be good for the businesses in the town if the evidence is that more people would come to Warwick City as opposed to Warwick Town. How do the businesses feel about higher taxes? - Jean Casey, by email.