The Forgotten Man - the life and legacy of John Kemp Starley

160 years ago, on 14th December 1854, John Kemp Starley was born. He went on to invent the modern safety cycle, that has been copied more times than any other means of transport in the world. But who remembers him now? ... and why is there no monument to him in his adopted city?

It all started on 14th December 1854, in Walthamstow, London. John Kemp's father was a humble market gardener, but his uncle James was doing well in Coventry. John Kemp had one brother and two sisters. They tried to keep up with polite society. In 1872 John Kemp Starley moved to Coventry and lodged with his uncle James Starley and family at Upper Well Street. It was a full house with workshops at the rear. John Kemp started working for his uncle at Starley & Hillman at the St. John's Works. They were famous for making the first "Penny Farthing" cycle and they also made tricycles, inventing the differential gear in the process. These tricycles were very popular and even Queen Victoria had one. James Starley became known as the 'Father of the Cycle Industry'.

In 1876 John Kemp married Abigail Statham at West Orchard Chapel, Coventry, and he started up his own cycle company with William Sutton. The Starley & Sutton Meteor Works was in West Orchards, Coventry. In the 1880's Penny Farthings were the most popular cycle but they were dangerous to ride being so high and with poor brakes which often threw the rider over the handle bars if put on too soon. So John Kemp started to make and develop a safer cycle. He went through different designs, each one better then the previous until 1888 he designed a bicycle that became the blue print for all modern cycles, the "Rover Safety Cycle". John Kemp was able to show people that the cycle was easier to ride, as your feet could reach the ground, but with no loss of speed due to chains and gearing.

The new Rover SAFETY Cycle soon caught on and everyone wanted this new type of cycle. Other cycle makers started making their own version based on John Kemp's design. He made a lot of money and his family of ten children moved into Barr's Hill House in 1889. But in 1901 John Kemp Starley died at the early age of 46 and was buried in London Road Cemetery. His company continued to grow and started making cars in 1904. Production of Rover Cars grew and continued until the end of the marque in 2005.

There is a direct link between John Kemp Starley's Rover cycle and all modern cycles of today. But is John Kemp Starley remembered for his great contribution to the most popular form of transport in the world? The answer is "No". Most people mix up John Kemp Starley with his uncle James Starley, thinking they are the same person. Coventry City commemorated James Starley when he died in 1881 and a monument to him was unveiled in 1884 in Greyfriers Green.

But no monument has been erected for John Kemp Starley. His home, Barr's Hill on Radford Road, was made into a School, but even this beautiful Victorian house was knocked down to build a car park for the new Barr's Hill School.

Should we have a memorial to John Kemp Starley who created possibly the greatest contribution to mankind in the field of transport? What do you think?

Paul Maddocks has created an artist impression of what such a monument could look like.

New Plans for The Old Hall, Tamworth Road, Keresley

A new planning application has been submitted to restore and extend the Old Hall in Tamworth Road, Keresley. 

The plans are for a hotel, banqueting facility, restaurant and spa. The listed main hall and courtyard will be retained and restored after previous owners had altered internal floor levels. Buildings added in the 1990s will be demolished to make way for a contemporary two-storey accommodation for offices and toilets at ground level with bedrooms above to create an improved façade to Tamworth Road.

To greatly reduce the impact on the Green Belt a subterranean development will contain a large function room, 40 bedrooms and a spa. The new accommodation will be arranged around two sunken courtyards. The location of the underground features have been chosen to avoid any adverse impact on the protected trees in the grounds. The former kitchen garden is "re-instated" to provide an interesting walled garden with glass pyramid structures providing natural light to the function room below.

The Society is supportive of the new plans. We appreciate that this is a major development in the Green Belt, but we feel that plans mitigate against the main impacts on the green belt with the subterannean development and offer the best potential for restoring the listed building. 

You can look at the plans for the project here. 

UPDATE May 2014: The plans for the Old Hall were approved by Planning Committee on 3 April 2014.

The Old Hall is one of the building that the Coventry Society considers to be at risk! Our main page on this site is here.

Comments:

Hello.

I saw your site article regarding the Old Hall Hotel in Keresley. I worked there as a junior chef in 1968 just before it closed. I was 18. I lived in the cottages behind the hotel. A girl lived upstairs and was receptionist. We married two years later.

Sad to see the place as it is now. Got some happy memories.

Dave Mallett 8/9/2014

City Council Reviews Conservation Areas

The City Council's Conservation Team have published some key documents as part of a review and update of the City's Conservation Areas. The initial focus is on Hill Top and Lady Herbert's Garden Conservation Areas. Both Conservation Areas were originally designated in August 1969.

The Hill Top Conservation Area was described by the Government as an "Outstanding Conservation Area" in 1976. The appraisal reviews the historical  value and special interest of the Conservation Area and identifies the positive and negative elements and opportunities for the future. The appraisal goes into considerable detail about the buildings and heritage assets in the area, views and vistas, archaeology, colour palette etc. 

The Lady Herbert's Garden and the Burges Conservation Area Appraisal also looks in detail at the historic value and special interest of the Conservation Area. The Conservation Area was last reviewed in April 1977. Since that time there has been a large amount of change in the area and the conservation area boundary currently makes no sense of the local geography. The Appraisal recommends a major extension to the Conservation Area to include The Burges. Palmer Lane, the Transport Museum, the Old Fire Station and The Old Grammar School. 

In support of the Conservation Area Appraisals, the Council has prepared draft Management Plans for both Conservation Areas. These documents provide additional policies and proposals to support the enhancement of the Conservation Area. The management plan for Hill Top can be downloaded here. The Management Plan for Lady Herbert's Garden and the Burges can be downloaded here.

The Council is currently consulting on its Appraisal and Management Plan for both Conservation Areas. The deadline for comments is Friday 10th October 2014.

Consultation on Hill Top Conservation Area.

Consultation on Lady Herbert's Garden and the Burges Conservation Area.  

The Launch of Fargo Village

The long-awaited Fargo Village opened at the end of September with a vibrant mixture of music and art, with performances by the Big Bumble Bees and Victor Herero as well as the city’s own Theatre Absolute. Behind the imaginative venture is Ian Harrabin of Complex Developments who has also been responsible for so much restoration work on Far Gosford Street. His new development inspired by Camden Lock in London, is based on a reclaimed factory site just a stone’s throw from several of the timber-framed buildings on the main street that have now been restored and brought back into use.

The heart of Fargo is a series of north-lit sheds housing a fascinating range of speciality small shops and foodie businesses. The eclectic mix ranges from jewellery to shabby-chic furniture, even a Lambretta scooter dealer and workshop.

Judging by the crowds that turned out for the launch it will surely be quite a draw for families, as well as the many Coventry University students who have but a short walk from the various faculties just down the road.

Conservation Area Lighting

Without doubt the new lanterns currently being installed in conservation areas across the city are a considerable improvement on those installed over the last 20 years.

Not only are the heritage columns shorter by about one metre but the lantern itself has sharper lines and is mounted on elegantly curved straps.

While we have expressed concerns over the eco white light rather than the yellow light we have come to like in the past, the Council has indicated that light levels of the white light can be turned down if deemed necessary.

Work is moving apace in the Allesley Village Conservation Area and where there have been problems with certain installations the Council has been quick to respond, resolving any issues like inappropriate positioning of standards and the clearing away of unnecessary signage.

We understand that Kenilworth Road from the A45 to Gibbet Hill Road is about to have the lanterns on the carriageway turned off for a trial period. During this time the footway and cycleway will remain in light with a temporary lighting solution. At the end of the trial and subject to what is required to be reinstalled, a design will be developed accordingly. The Society will continue to keep in touch with council officers.

City Council Reviews Conservation Areas

The City Council's Conservation Team have published some key documents as part of a review and update of the City's Conservation Areas. The initial focus is on Hill Top and Lady Herbert's Garden Conservation Areas. Both Conservation Areas were originally designated in August 1969.

The Hill Top Conservation Area was described by the Government as an "Outstanding Conservation Area" in 1976. The appraisal reviews the historical  value and special interest of the Conservation Area and identifies the positive and negative elements and opportunities for the future. The appraisal goes into considerable detail about the buildings and heritage assets in the area, views and vistas, archaeology, colour palette etc. 

The Lady Herbert's Garden and the Burges Conservation Area Appraisal also looks in detail at the historic value and special interest of the Conservation Area. The Conservation Area was last reviewed in April 1977. Since that time there has been a large amount of change in the area and the conservation area boundary currently makes no sense of the local geography. The Appraisal recommends a major extension to the Conservation Area to include The Burges. Palmer Lane, the Transport Museum, the Old Fire Station and The Old Grammar School. 

In support of the Conservation Area Appraisals, the Council has prepared draft Management Plans for both Conservation Areas. These documents provide additional policies and proposals to support the enhancement of the Conservation Area. The management plan for Hill Top can be downloaded here. The Management Plan for Lady Herbert's Garden and the Burges can be downloaded here.

The Council is currently consulting on its Appraisal and Management Plan for both Conservation Areas. The deadline for comments is Friday 10th October 2014.

Consultation on Hill Top Conservation Area.

Consultation on Lady Herbert's Garden and the Burges Conservation Area.  

The Coventry Society's Response to the consultation on Hill Top Conservation Area.

The Coventry Society's Response to the consultation on Lady Herbert's Garden and the Burges Conservation Area.

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Localism for Real

Campaigner and President of Civic Voice, Griff Rhys Jones, will deliver a public lecture as part of the grand re-opening of the Westgate Hall, Canterbury on Friday, October 24. His visit will coincide with the annual Civic Voice convention.

Griff will be calling on individuals to unite together around the Civic Movement Manifesto, Localism for Real and to campaign on issues impacting on communities.

Griff will say “Change is in the air. If the Government is serious about Localism, they have to listen to the concerns being expressed by civic groups, resident associations and town and parish councils. The Civic Voice manifesto, “Localism for Real” sets out our plans to put power into the hands of communities. I call on all community groups to join with Civic Voice in making Localism a national issue.”

Freddie Gick, Chair of Civic Voice added: “We face a crisis of civic engagement. This is a symptom of the frustration people feel as power is taken away from communities and they are subject to tokenistic consultation instead of genuine participation. We need to give all citizens opportunities to actively shape the future of their place and to give communities the powers they need to enable their town and city centres to prosper. We look forward to this lecture and to hearing from Griff Rhys Jones”.

A4053 – the 40th

Coventry’s Ring Road has been controversial since its completion in 1974. With its grade separated junctions except for the one roundabout, and short slip roads on and off, it has often been described as something of a driver’s nightmare, especially for those unfamiliar with its layout. Yet it serves its purpose admirably.

Construction began in the late 1950s and the first phase was ready in 1962, but it took another 12 years before completion.

In the October of last year we debated the Ring Road, with Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Highways Colin Knight and our own Chris Daniel. They led a discussion appropriately titled ‘Love it, or Hate it?’ The Society later contributed to newspaper articles and to local radio commentaries.

In these last months we have enjoyed some remarkable celebratory events organised by the City Council. A special drive-in screening of the film The Italian Job took place under the Ring Road itself. A new music video for Let’s Go Round Again – a special cover celebrating Coventry’s love of the road – had its first public airing at that screening.

Then we had the Sky Ride, a magnificent family cycling event on a traffic-free carriageway of the Ring Road one Sunday.

Pictured below is a recently painted mural on the Ring Road cladding near to Coventry University in Gosford Street.

We look forward to more opportunities to improve the environment of our city’s pioneering city centre by-pass.

River Avon Basin

Working together to better understand the River Avon Basin was top of the agenda when representatives from across the region came together at Henley College in September. The host was Warwickshire Avon Partnership who were inviting the public to have their say on the management of the river, how we should play in it, how we should live in it, and how ecology could be made central to future policy making.

Speakers included Catchment Coordinator Keith Boyle from the Environment Agency and Sophie Leszeynska, Head of Living Landscapes at the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

The River Avon rises at Naseby in Northamptonshire and throughout its meandering course has many rivers running into it—the Stour, Leam, Arrow and Alne. Headwaters in the Coventry area include the Sherbourne and Sowe of course, also streams like Pickford Brook, Northbrook, and Radford Brook. We heard speakers explain how we use and develop our section of the Avon basin will have a dramatic knock-on effect downstream.

Communities right through to Evesham and Tewkesbury took part in workshop discussion groups along with professionals, like—a Wetlands Project Officer, representatives from The Campaign for the Farmers’ Environment and the Woodland Trust. Local developments and problems were shared around the tables—like our own Sherbourne Partnership and Ripple Effect, how wildlife can benefit, how people and the local economy can benefit. Current work areas and opportunities were registered on large-scale maps.

The workshop was an ideal way to get our views across to decision makers and influence their plans, in particular the forthcoming River Basin Management Plan. It will describe how we manage the entire catchment to the benefit of all.

Coventry's Local Development Plan

Balancing Housing, Jobs and Infrastructure?

We do not fully endorse the Council’s vision of growth of the city and we have said so in our representation on The New Coventry Local Development Plan. We said: “A city exists for its citizens and there is no benefit for them in wholesale expansion of the population. On the contrary they would suffer from the greater demand on the transport system, the hospital and other mainly fixed assets. We are not convinced that a population expansion, especially on the periphery of the city, will automatically lead to the improvement of the city centre. 

We believe that the vision for the city should be for a city of quality rather than a city of quantity. We think that the focus of the LDP should be on the improvement of the long established suburbs and the city centre.

Population Projection Led Planning

We have sympathy with the Council in being coerced by Government to plan on the basis of the population projections of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the so called Strategic Housing Market Assessment. Population projections are, by their nature, trend based and backward looking. Previous experience demonstrates that such projections seldom become reality and the ONS projections themselves have changed by large numbers in a small space of time. Population projections might have some value in projecting school numbers five years ahead (although recent experience in the Council might cast doubt on that), but projecting 20 years up to 2031 is completely unrealistic.

In the real world there is economic growth and decline, consumer confidence grows and wanes, market values go up and down, immigration rises and falls and none of this is forecast in the population projections and Strategic Housing Market Assessment. It is therefore important not

to give up long held and community supported policy positions, such as Green Belt, without strong evidence of need that goes beyond the fickleness of population projections.

The ONS projections were based on population figures derived from the 2011 census, which was during a period of rapid growth in the number of overseas students, following changes to the funding regime for universities. This rapid increase in the number of overseas students was a one-off event that will not continue into the future. Furthermore the ONS uses the UN definition of temporary immigration as those staying from three months to one year, whilst overseas students typically stay two to three years and are therefore regarded as permanent immigrants.

Immigration numbers are very susceptible to public policy decisions, and the recent proclamations of the current Government might suggest that immigration might reduce in future years. This has not been taken into account in the projections guiding the development plan.

Green Belt

To give up significant areas of greenbelt on the basis of population projections that cannot be relied upon, puts at risk the opportunity to develop brownfield sites in the city. Early release of green belt sites will reduce the chance of developing brownfields sites. We believe that the rate of house building should be tied in with the growth of jobs in the city, so as not to create excessive commuting.

The release of 10% of Coventry’s Green Belt land over a 10 – 15 year period could provide an unfortunate precedent that will be hard to resist in the future, leading to the eventual loss of all of Coventry’s Green Belt.

The Society doesn’t disagree with the principle of growing the city, but disagrees with the scale and timing of this growth. We believe that the Green Belt should be protected until such time as it is proved additional land is required. The Society believes there should be a better balance between housing, jobs and the provision of infrastructure.

We support the objective of improving the balance of housing in the city and the improved quality of housing, but do not share the view that it is necessary to locate such housing in the Green Belt.”

You can download the Coventry Society's full response to the consultation here. 

Community Design Awards

Community Design Awards Design awards are back on our agenda as a new competition is launched with communities across England being invited to enter the inaugural ‘Civic Voice National Community Design Award”.

Civic Voice, is asking us to nominate buildings and schemes considered to make a significant contribution to the quality of our built environment, whether village, town or city.

Nominations for projects will be considered that are examples of:

• New buildings or historic buildings that have been reused or refurbished; 
• Public realm schemes such as street works; 
• Conservation area improvements, parks, improvements and enhancements of the civic realm. 

The Civic Voice National Design Award is a new award for 2015 and the inaugural winner will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Civic Voice president, Griff Rhys Jones. The award will be a celebration of good design – a kite mark to be recognised by community groups, professionals and local government alike. The award will also be unique – it will not be an award where professionals give an award to the work of other professionals. Instead, the nominations will be made and supported by local communities across the country.

Nominations can be made by civic societies or other local community organisations for projects they consider make a significant contribution to the quality of their built environment.

The projects must have been completed between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014.

Is there a building or project in Coventry that you would like the Coventry Society to put forward? If so, then send an email or letter to any member of the committee and we will consider your suggestion. The closing date for applications is March 31, 2015, but please let us have your suggestions as soon as possible. There is more information at: http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/uploads/files/Design_Award_v3.pdf

Practice Tower application

The Society has objected to a new raw galvanised steel structure proposed as a new training tower for Binley Fire Station (the illustration is of a similar tower built elsewhere). In our view the building should be intrinsically worth seeing rather than ugly with a half-hearted attempt at hiding it. The claim that the building can be hidden by planting is not valid. There is clear vision through the existing hedgerow adjacent to Binley Road after the leaves have fallen. While it might be acceptable in an industrial setting this is next to a residential area in a pleasant part of city.

There is no design and access statement provided in the application and also no indication as to what will happen to the existing training tower.

Localism for Real

Campaigner and President of Civic Voice, Griff Rhys Jones, will deliver a public lecture as part of the grand re-opening of the Westgate Hall, Canterbury on Friday, October 24. His visit will coincide with the annual Civic Voice convention.

Griff will be calling on individuals to unite together around the Civic Movement Manifesto, Localism for Real and to campaign on issues impacting on communities.

Griff will say “Change is in the air. If the Government is serious about Localism, they have to listen to the concerns being expressed by civic groups, resident associations and town and parish councils. The Civic Voice manifesto, “Localism for Real” sets out our plans to put power into the hands of communities. I call on all community groups to join with Civic Voice in making Localism a national issue.”

Freddie Gick, Chair of Civic Voice added: “We face a crisis of civic engagement. This is a symptom of the frustration people feel as power is taken away from communities and they are subject to tokenistic consultation instead of genuine participation. We need to give all citizens opportunities to actively shape the future of their place and to give communities the powers they need to enable their town and city centres to prosper. We look forward to this lecture and to hearing from Griff Rhys Jones”.

Powerless? 

Martin Yardley, Executive Director of Place, said: “In planning terms this is the critical bit—cladding would have required permission. Painting does not.”

The insensitive action by Study Inns transforming what was one of the best city centre high rise buildings into a depressing edifice almost like ‘a Lego building’ has alienated a significant section of the local population.

After applying for retrospective permission to paint the once bronze glass of the former AXA building in a pattern of red, grey and blue, more than 70 locals wrote to the city council objecting to the plan.

Sadly much of the painting was already completed as the last day of consultation arrived. To make matters even worse Coventry Council suddenly informed some objectors that planning permission after all was not required and Study Inns would have its application returned.

Coventry Society would have thought that discussions between Study Inns and city planners might have caused questions to be asked when a particularly well-designed building, and dominant both in the city centre and viewed from the suburbs, was about to be transformed into something quite different. Having made so many improvements to the public realm in the city centre surely planners would have questioned whether a quality building like the former AXA should be radically changed in appearance, rather than conserved as a model for future developments. Apparently not.

We said in our objection: It's a common error to paint something that's ugly in fairground colours in the hope of improving its appearance. The aint doesn't hide anything; it just accentuates the ugliness.

In the case of the AXA building, it's already an elegant building so it doesn't gain from painting it in fairground colours. The patchwork of strident colours several storeys above ground is noticeable from various directions including viewpoints some miles away. It doesn't add anything to the appearance of the city. It appears to be a form of advertising, including the large sign that has been erected.

The current rash of painting the outsides of buildings appears to be due to designers who are paid a percentage of the cost of the works they design, so it isn't in their interest to say "It's OK, leave it alone". Instead they want to slap paint on every surface, thus creating a maintenance liability that was not there before. The large number of brick pubs that have been painted is an example. A new coat of paint may attract business in the short term, but unless the building's owner has the resources and the will to maintain the painted surface, the appearance will deteriorate over time. In the case of a multi-storey building, maintenance will be expensive so is more likely to be neglected. We should be developing the city for the long term rather than for short -term gimmicks with long-term penalties. Only durable facings that are polite neighbours should be permitted.

We note that the work has already been carried out. The large number of retrospective applications recently suggest that developers are sensing that planning permission is more likely if the work has already been done. Worse still, the council has contributed funding for this project through its Coventry Investment Fund.”

Coventry Society seizes every opportunity to take part in council consultations that will hopefully bring about a better quality city. This most unpleasant saga has left a bitter taste and concerns both our members and the wider community.

Coventry University Expansion Plans - Will they protect our heritage?

Coventry University recently announced plans to take over four council buildings, Civic Centres one to four, that stand between Little Park Street and Much Park Street. The university would use this area to expand the university’s Technology Park, which house and support small, high-tech businesses in the city.

While some will be concerned to see yet more encroachment on the city centre by the university the Society’s particular concern at this time is to see the copper-roofed buildings that front Council House Square retained. They are part of the post-war story of regeneration and provide a particularly fine setting for the Council House itself. It would be a crying shame to see modernistic 21st century buildings replace them to front the recently landscaped area.

Civic Day Event 2015 - War Memorials Surveying Workshop

For this year's Civic Day event, on Saturday 20th June, the Coventry Society is collaborating with Civic Voice to put on a training workshop on how to survey War Memorials.

The Society is seeking to record and survey the condition of all of the WW1 War Memorials in the City. So far we have identified 49 surviving memorials and we need volunteers to help us carry out this work. There is more information about the city's war memorials here: 

Our war memorials deserve to be treated with the same respect as those they commemorate. A £5 million fund has been made available by the Department for Culture Media and Sport to help ensure that local communities can access the funds they need to repair, protect and conserve war memorials across the country, so that they can remain places of respect for future generations and help people to better understand what happened a century ago. The first stage of accessing any funding is to survey the condition of the memorials. The survey will also help us identify which memorials need to be statutorily listed for their protection.

The event runs from 10.00 a.m. (arrive at 9.45 for coffee) until 4.00 p.m. at Central Library on Saturday 20th June.

There will be training in the morning, followed by lunch and then we will go out into the city to do some practical surveying work. We will then return to the Library to put our findings onto the National Online Database of War Memorials. This event lends itself best to people who are IT users.

The event will provide volunteers with:

· Background information about the project

· Training to undertake a condition survey.

· Training on how to record survey results on the War Memorials Online website

· The chance to meet staff from War Memorials Trust

· The chance to ask questions

· A resource pack containing all the necessary information to take part in the project. 

Spaces on this workshop are limited to 25.

If you are interested in participating in this workshop, you should sign up online at this web address:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-memorial-condition-survey-workshop-coventry-tickets-16629390956

For more information e-mail us at: info@coventrysociety.org.uk

The Coventry Society Response to the City Centre Area Action Plan

The City Council published its City Centre Area Action Plan (CCAAP) in February 2015. This is a 90 page document that helps guide, inform and consider development proposals within Coventry city centre. It will guide how the city centre will develop over the next 20 years and provides a framework for the transformation of the city centre.

The Coventry Society have issued a formal response to the CCAAP in the form of a 23 page document submitted in April 2015.

Links to both the CCAAP and the Coventry Society response are provided to enable access and review; we welcome input and participation in this on-going initiative.

We see the key elements of the CCAAP to be:

Public Realm – develop a high quality of landscape design, providing significant new attractive and welcoming public spaces.

Buildings – we want to see High Quality Design as the critical ingredient of any developments; we support active frontages and use of quality materials (distinctive “Coventry” style of sandstone, red brick and timber). We recognise that good building design is an essential element of the built environment. The city centre needs a better balance between large-scale buildings and domestic scale developments.

Homes – we support the plan to build new houses in the city centre and see the need to bring back a “living heart”; this should include aspirational housing to both retain University graduates and attract families back into the centre.

Small Independent Businesses – we want to promote development that caters for this key sector that would then contribute to the lifeblood of the city centre, and become instigators for change.

Green Areas – we support the plan to open up sections of the culverted River Sherbourne; we see the potential for creating a natural green corridor following the River Sherbourne west-east across and through the city centre, connecting people with nature, and giving access to natural green spaces. We support the policy to maintain and enhance green & blue infrastructure and develop the “greening” of the Ring Road and the delivery of a strategic network of green and blue spaces (parks, amenity landscaping, ponds, canals and rivers) that is of high quality and well connected.

Ring Road – we need to address the negative “barrier” effects of the ring road, to improve access and connectivity between the Centre and the wider City. We would like to "green" and "civilise" the ring road which is seen as a physical and psychological barrier, creating safer, more convenient and attractive routes across it.

Historic Environment / Heritage Assets – we need to preserve and enhance the City’s historic buildings, to develop the “lost” Medieval legacy of Coventry, whilst supporting the development of heritage and tourism. We support the aim of connecting residents with their past, boosting civic pride, identity and hope, and linking the Medieval C15 story into the C21 CCAAP. We want to support the installation of Public Art to help enrich the City’s cultural offering, celebrating the rich history.

Next Steps, Progress:

The Coventry Society looks forward to an on-going dialogue and engagement with the Council and Developers, to ensure the Plan gets translated into a quality, attractive and diverse city centre.

Our aspiration is to develop a culture of utilising Design Briefs to guide the development of the City Centre and ensure a Quality transformation.

We are looking to work in partnership with local Architects and Designers to develop Design Briefs that will support and guide the CCAAP into reality. The over-riding desire of the Coventry Society is to install a culture of Quality into the city centre environment, and we promote ideas and input regarding architecture, street-scene and the urban realm. We are progressing a working group with stakeholders and professionals in the fields of architecture, urban design and the built environment, aiming to raise awareness of design issues and encourage debate and interaction across the City.

Download the City Centre Action Area Plan here.

Download the full response of the Coventry Society here. 

St. Michael’s Coventry - The Rise and Fall of the Old Cathedral

One of the Society’s favourite historians, George Demidowitz, has created a scholarly work about the history of the Old Cathedral which is both attractive and very readable. He has been supported in this work by Heather Gilderdale Scott who provides a detailed analysis of the building’s Medieval glass. In an interesting Introduction to the book, Jonathan Foyle describes the historical context for the spectacular growth of the Parish Church during the medieval period, when Coventry was the fourth richest city in England with frequent royal patronage.

The book was launched at an event organised by the World Monuments Fund Great Britain at the Cathedral on Wednesday 20th May 2015. That event also commemorated the completion of the works to stabilise the Cathedral walls. The book was based heavily on the research that took place to develop the Conservation Plan for the Old Cathedral , which was commissioned by the World Monuments Fund Great Britain and written by George.

The book traces the history of the Cathedral from its origins as a chapel to Coventry Castle, a similar size to St. Mary Magdalene’s Church in Wyken. During the 14th and 15th Centuries the Church grew in stature and status with funding from the Medieval Guilds. Numerous Guild Chapels were gradually incorporated into the main fabric of the building and from its original small size it grew to become one of the biggest Parish Churches in the country, built in the Perpendicular Gothic style, with one of the tallest spires of any Parish Church in the country.

During the 18th Century the Church, built as it was in soft Coventry sandstone, began to deteriorate and a major refurbishment programme during the Victorian era led to the replacement of almost all of the external stonework of the Church and the installation of ironwork into the roof structure, which later contributed to the destruction of the building during the blitz. The replacement stone was brought from Runcorn in Cheshire by canal and was carved at the Canal Basin before being brought by cart to the Church.

With the creation of a Bishopric for Coventry in 1918, St. Michael’s was waiting as a Church already built on the scale of a Cathedral. Ironically a survey of the building in 1938 revealed that it was in a good state of repair. The book describes the destruction of the Cathedral in the Blitz and the post-war construction of the New Cathedral and the preservation of the ruins of the Old Cathedral as a focus for peace and reconciliation.

The book also includes an extensive section on the Cathedrals medieval glass, which by an amazing act of foresight was preserved from the total destruction of the Cathedral. The 12,000 fragments of glass are some of the only physically remains of the medieval fabric of the building. They tell a fascinating story about the history and culture of that period of history.

This is a beautiful book, well illustrated with many modern and historical drawings and photographs and provides a fascinating addition to the city’s bibliography.

John Payne

St. Michael’s Coventry The Rise and Fall of the Old Cathedral

George Demidowitz and Heather Gilderdale Scott, with a forward by Jonathan Foyle

128 pages, £14.99

Where are our "Lost War" Memorials?

The Coventry Society is trying to locate and record the condition of all the First World War Memorials in the city. So far we have identified 66 memorials that once existed. Of these we know that eight no longer exist and we know the location of 49 of the others. That means we don't know what became of nine memorials! Some might have been relocated to other buildings, whilst others might have been destroyed during the blitz. We just don't know, but we are expecting someone in the city will know. 

Can you help?

The "lost" memorials are as follows:

1. Iliffe and Sons Memorial.

 This bronze tablet unveiled by W Coker Iliffe, in November 1921, at the Vicar Lane Works and later installed at the company’s Hertford Street Offices. It may have been destroyed during the blitz, but does anyone know for sure? Perhaps the Coventry Telegraph has a record?

2. Memorial from All Saints' Church, Far Gosford Street

This consisted of oak panelling with an altar table of remembrance in front. It was dedicated to the men of the parish who served in the war and the 21 who died. It was unveiled by Colonel Wyley in June 1921. The church also contained a stained glass window in memory of Gunner Thomas Farmer, who was killed at Ypres in 1917. The Church was demolished in the 1970's, but what happened to the memorial? 

3. Memorial from St. Mark's Church, Swanswell.

This Church originally had a memorial altar with two memorial tablets, one on each side. The church is no longer in use and the tablets have been removed. It has been suggested that they may be at St Barnabas Church, Cromwell Street. Can you confirm that, or do you know where they are?

4. Memorial from St. Thomas's Church, Albany Road

This memorial was originally a shrine that was dedicated by the Bishop of Coventry in 1917. It was rebuilt inside the Church and unveiled by the Mayor in June 1920. It was dedicated to the 72 men of the parish who died in the war. The Church was demolished in 1976. Was the memorial destroyed with it?

5. Boys Brigade and Coventry Cadets Memorial

This was a decorated scroll in an oak frame in the Stevens Memorial Hall, part of the Ragged School on New Buildings. It was unveiled by the Mayor in January 1921. It was dedicated to the 300 members of the Boys’ Brigade and Second Coventry Cadet Battalion who served in the war. Was this memorial moved somewhere else?

6. Coventry Liberal Club Memorial

This was a brass plaque with an oak frame, positioned in the main entrance hall of the Liberal Club on Warwick Road. It was unveiled by Alderman Drinkwater, the President of the Club. It was dedicated to the 150 members of the club who served in the War and to the five who died.

7. Coventry Working Men's Club Memorial

This memorial was a scroll created by Mr E Kennard, Art Master at Rugby School. The scroll was in a gilt frame, inside an oak case. It was unveiled at the club on Cox Street by Colonel HJ Hutt of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in December 1921. It was dedicated to the 255 members of the club who served in the war and the 17 who died. The club became part of Coventry University and was later demolished, but what happened to the memorial?

8. Coventry Tramway Deparment Memorial

This memorial consisted of oak panels finished in black and gold. It was unveiled by the Mayor in June 1919 at Priestley’s Bridge Depot, Stoney Stanton Road. It was dedicated to the 130 men of the Coventry City Council Tramways Department who served in the war and the 16 who died.

9. Coventry Post Office Memorial

This was a tablet with the names of the 16 men who died. It was dedicated to the staff of Coventry Post Office who died in the war. It was unveiled in December 1920 by Mr Mears, Postmaster.

Can you help locate or provide information about any of these "lost" war memorials? Perhaps you have a photograph, or know where we can find one? 

We need your help with our project to record all the city's War Memorials. We are holding a workshop about surveying the city's remaining First World War Memorials on Saturday 20th June 2015. You can find out more information here.

See a video about our War Memorials Project here!

Seeing the Sutherland Through New Eyes

Saturday 30th June at 7.00 p.m. at Coventry Cathedral

The Friends of Coventry Cathedral have invited the public to attend their annual Friend Lecture 2015. Alison Lister will give an illustrated lecture in the Cathedral about the recent month-long conservation work on one of the most iconic images of the twentieth century. She will reveal what has been discovered about Graham Sutherland's tapestry"Christ in Glory in the Tetramorph".

Professor Loiuse Campbell, Emeritus Professor of the History of Art at Warwick University will introduce the lecture and speak about the significance of the Coventry Tapestry. 

After the lecture there will be a reception and a chance to talk to the conservators.

Tickets are £12.50, including the reception, from the Community Table on a Sunday morning or online from here.