Could Coventry be European City of Culture?
News has emerged from Coventry City Council that city leaders are considering a bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021 and European Capital of Culture in 2023.
Most people would agree that if this is to become a reality we have a lot of work to do, but the proposition is not an unreasonable one and Coventry has plenty of history, heritage and culture to give a bid a great platform.
The story of Coventry lends itself perfectly to a city of culture from its origins about 1,000 years ago, then through the ages with the many transformations that the city has gone through. We are going through such a massive change now with end of large scale manufacturing, and the growth of high end technology industry such as research and development.
Coventry has two excellent universities which are attractive to students from across the globe. This has vastly added to the city’s cultural diversity and Coventry is getting more cosmopolitan year by year. Coventry has such a wide variety of cultures because of past and current immigration; cultures from other parts of the UK, Ireland, Europe and the world.
We are also getting much better at appreciating the wonderful English cultural icons that have been a part of Coventry’s landscape for hundreds of years yet were left to decline and fall into ruin. This is the world class heritage buildings that we have, but we seem to have been oblivious to. Buildings, sites and people that was pivotal in world and national history and culture – St Mary’s Hall – St John the Baptist – the birthplace of Sir Henry Parkes – the pioneers of the safety bicycle – Hearsall Common where Sir Frank Whittle was inspired by flying his kite as a boy. World class icons – Jaguar –Rover- taxi cabs - Lady Godiva - 2 tone – Triumph – Larkin – even “sent to Coventry”. The world is very familiar with Coventry but they may not realise it! For example I was on a train a few years ago and I was chatting to an American family from Texas. They had never heard of Coventry but they knew all about Jags and had heard of Lady Godiva.
In recent times the Godiva Festival has become a feature of summertime in Coventry with a wonderful array of culture to be enjoyed completely free. Hundreds of thousands of people come along to enjoy what has become a fantastic event that attracts many visitors from outside of our city. We have bands in the park in summer - also a free weekly event on lazy Sunday afternoons. Then there is the Caribbean festival and the many festivals put on by the Asian communities. The Irish community welcome everyone to join in with St Patricks day every year in Coventry. We are already a city of culture.
We have theatres that offer great entertainment and culture, and great museums that help to tell the story of Coventry. Not everyone in Coventry appreciates these wonderful cultural venues. Many of our citizens have never been to visit them or our great buildings and heritage sites. We have to open up and show off. Becoming an official city of culture with the funds that would attract, would change the mindset of apathetic Coventrians, change the perception of our fellow countrymen and a wider global audience. Look what it did for Glasgow, Liverpool and now Hull.
The Coventry Society has played a big part in raising the awareness of Coventry politicians and getting their attention in regard to our heritage and culture. Membership of the society is the highest it has ever been with new applications being received every week. This is great news for the Coventry Society but it is also great news for the city. It demonstrates that the people of Coventry are getting more and more passionate about the city. The city council are beginning to understand that our past has a huge role to play in our future. The Coventry society has a big part to play if a bid to become city of culture is planned.
The society is also focused on the new in Coventry and has expressed views and support regarding future developments such as Friargate, City Centre South, the recent changes to Broadgate, Warwick Road and shared spaces. There has also been success with Charterhouse, The Old Grammar School, Drapers Hall but there are the challenges of Whitefriars and other neglected sites. All of the recent changes will help any bid for city of culture, and the bid would also be a driver for more long overdue work such as city centre regeneration and more focus on culture and heritage.
The bid will require the city to closely look at how we move people around our city. Better facilities for cyclists and better public transport must be a focus. It is about time the rail project NUCKLE got moving. Without it forget any bid. Coventry has got to link up to Kenilworth, Leamington Spa and the Ricoh Arena by rail from the city centre.
Then we have the situation at the Ricoh Arena. A great city asset which must have a plan that uses all of the facilities there – including the pitch. It is very important that this Olympic arena plays a big part in a bid because it plays such a big role in the cultural scene in Coventry. Anyone who has been privileged to go and see world class musicians there – Bruce Springsteen – Bryan Adams – Kings of Leon – Bon Jovi - The Specials will understand how the arena is a major attraction for visitors to Coventry. They will also tell you how frustrating it is to get there and depart from there. We must build a train station.
So is this bid an exciting prospect? What can we do and what can we use to make it a reality?
Stephen Williamson
Coventry Society Member
4/12/2013
