Coventry on film

Well we know that it's Triumph and 1947 - does that narrow it down?

I did think that last part looked a bit like off Priory Street towards the old baths but didn't think Triumph were manufacturing bicycles by that time - motorbikes only?

Coventry Blitz in colour 1940 New to us?

Amazed how clear the roads were

Yes, there was a huge importance placed on getting people back to work, so the army was brought in the next day to help clear the rubble and restore communications as quickly as possible.

Philip Handy on the Visit Historic Coventry FB page has just shared this film, rescued from an old VHS tape. Hopefully you can all view via this link. I think there is a very rare capture of hoardings around the new Pru building going up which we have talked about on here before at 42:26.

re. the Triumph cycles query... Triumph sold off their bicycle production in 1932, making motorcycles only in their Priory Street works. Triumph cycle production was transferred to Coventry Bicycles (makers of the Three Spires brand, an offshoot of the Coventry Motor Cycle Company and under the governance of Siegfried Bettmann of 'original' Triumph fame) in 1936, at their factory in Wellington Street, Hillfields, which is the likely location for the film in the previous post.

Thanks for the information, Throwley, and welcome to the forum

Completely by accident I've just watched on the 'Talking Pictures' TV Channel a short (15mins) 1960 colour film in the 'Look at Life' cinema series entitled 'Rebirth of a City' which I don't ever remember seeing before. At the end it says that it can be seen again by visiting www.tptvencore.co.uk - it is very interesting.

If you click on the above link and scroll down to the film, it says it will only be available until 11th April!

Talking of films... Great excitement currently in Earlsdon as they are filming a drama called 'Three Little Birds', written by Lenny Henry, based on his mother's arrival in the UK from the Caribbean. They've been in Warwick Avenue for the last couple of days (and nights) and have used several other streets in Earlsdon to recreate the 50's look needed. Warwick Avenue was also used in one of the 'Nativity' films.

Does anyone know where I can find a copy of a BBC film circa 1960 called 'Coventry Kids'? There is a snippet of it here but I'm looking to view the full film. It was also known with a subtitle - Coventry Kids: People of a Restless City.

I think this may be it - Twitter BBC archive - but you need to have a Twitter account.

That looks like it, mcsporran, thanks, although the whole film is about 45 minutes long. I think it may contain some footage of Little Palace Yard just before it was demolished and of my dad's cousin Trevor Yardley who lived there, hence why I am so keen to find.

Are you on Twitter, Neil? Can you look at it for me? I know Trevor was filmed on it. Rosemary