We’re not against the races

Further to comments from Warwick District Council chief executive Chris Elliot on Warwick races and our common (Courier last month), one thing should be made crystal clear. Those of us who oppose further incursion onto our common are not opposed to Warwick races.

By all means let the races continue, but without grandiose development proposals from the Jockey Club. I have attended Warwick races for over 60 years and in past years the races were a big event for the town. Crowds flocked in, the Queen Mother herself graced one meeting, pubs, cafes and shops were abuzz with trade and a general carnival prevailed - so why not now?

All of this was generated by the races, with the course administered by the (then) Warwick Borough Council and all within a much less remit than that which the Jockey Club now enjoy.

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Early on there was no golf club, no caravan site and no lake, with no concern whatsoever regarding the final straight. This particular trouble only recently emerged after the Jockey Club built stables and a stable staff hostel exactly opposite that bend and gradually undermined it. It will continually go on and in its eagerness to bring Warwick Racecourse up to group 1 level regardless, the Jockey Club have shot themselves in the foot.

Let Warwick races continue, let the Jockey Club improve its rented course but on no account with any further development on our beloved common. That is what we are about so let’s hear no more of us being opposed to Warwick races. That contention is only being brought in to undermine Warwick people’s concern about development.

Mick Cole, The Square, Kenilworth