Coventry out and about

Visited the Knife Angel after going to the Herbert Art Gallery. There are probably other photos on here but couldn't find them and thought that Coventrians no longer local may appreciate them

That is amazing! Let's hope something similar can be done with guns!

For those who, like me, were not aware of it - here is some information from the BBC: A sculpture dedicated to victims of knife crime has been temporarily installed at Coventry Cathedral. The 27ft Knife Angel sculpture is made from 100,000 blades handed into police across the country. It was unveiled in 2017 and was displayed in Liverpool and Hull before arriving in Coventry. Artist Alfie Bradley, who created the sculpture at the British Ironworks Centre, said it was a "monument against violence and aggression". The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, said the Knife Angel was "a stark reminder of a form of violent crime infecting our city and threatening lives with great danger, especially our young people". Messages from families of the victims of knife crime have been engraved on the sculpture's wings. Mr Bradley, who created it at the British Ironworks Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire, said it was "a memorial to those whose lives have been affected by knife crime". Latest news from the West Midlands The sculpture will be displayed in Coventry until 23 April. The number of crimes related to knives and other offensive weapons dealt with by the courts reached its highest level for nine years last year, figures released on Thursday show. The Ministry of Justice said 21,484 offences were dealt with in England and Wales in 2018 - the highest number since 2009 (25,103).

In a word - WOW! I've never seen anything like it, and thank you for showing us.

Woodpecker nest on Hearsall Common. Peter.

Amazing sunset in The Butts while walking home from the station last night. Peter.

I finally got to meet @RolfatWarwick today. He wears a hi-vis vest following an accident earlier this year.

Did not know where to put this but, Pixrobin area. Canley was built as an open area with lots of greenery and wild habitat. I give due to the Cov Council for trying to improve the area which is destroyed by unknown persons by fire or wanton destruction by tearing down the trees. The area is covered by, be it thanks to the council or birds, wildlife in general. Crab apple trees (ideal for making mint jelly), eating apple trees (use your noddle), cooking apple trees, blackberries, (those two on their own or together in a pie), cherry trees, raspberry bushes, as well as an abudance of wild flowers inc bluebells, rattle and many others. As a child (approx 7 yrs onwards) I would wander off (with a friend) and not return until teatime (always got into trouble for it) and depending on the time of year eat all of these fruits inc goosegogs. Cooking apples turn yellow when being over ripe but very sweet at the end of the year. We never went hungry through the day so had no idea of time passing. I have lovely memories of this time to have been able to do this. What a shame, instead of picking the fruits these mindless people want to destroy them and have a sumptuous meal of Mc.....s or similar. Most of my picking of fruits was on bomb sites or old long gone orchards which were in the bounds of the city centre. Canley was also on my wanders when young, very young. I love my memories

A jay in Allesley Park today digging up a buried nut. This got the attention of a squirrel, but he was happy to watch. Peter.

Morning all on another soggy day. To brighten the day up, the Bard now comes to Coventry. The Bard, I mean the Bard bus service X20. Operated by Johnson's, it travels to Stratford via Solihull & Henley in Arden. Currently every hour from Pool Meadow stand F then the Belgrade. A slow journey to Stratford. It's in effect a replacement of the 82 service to Solihull, but then travels the old route via Shirley, Henley & Wootton Wawen. On a nice day, for those with a bus pass it's as good as a Shearings tour.

Hi all, My trips to Shirley, South Birmingham, of recent weeks saw me using the X20, bus as an alternative to the train on a couple of occasions. My previous post from 2019 details this service, but I want to share how pleasant the journey was. One hour nine minutes from leaving Pool Meadow at 55 minutes past the hour. Anyone with a bus pass can use all local bus services. Its route is Meriden, Hampton in Arden, Solihull, then Shirley, where it continues on through Henley in Arden to Stratford. A very comfortable journey aboard a Johnson's bus. So why save on home heating by sitting in the local library, when you could enjoy a tour of the Ardens? Ardens by Bardens. It's called the Bard's bus!

I used to check out Henley in Arden and Stratford every Christmas for arty presents and bought some lovely items. I got an invite to one gallery exhibition and turned up early to get a good parking spot. I wandered off to secure a sausage butty for breakfast and returned to watch a startling queue build up while I munched. I swear that some of them were in fur coats and evening wear! I was in a scruffy old coat but thought I was just as entitled to mooch as anyone, so went in. I bought 3 pieces within about 3 mins of entering and left even quicker before I was tempted by anything else! As I was passing one of the pieces I'd just bought (couldn't take away until after the show) I heard a woman say to the person who'd taken my order, 'Excuse me, is there another of these for sale? I was going to purchase it but my husband is parking the car.' I didn't stay to find out the reply but I muttered 'there'll be a really good parking space by the door in a minute' to myself. Another favourite trip of mine for Christmas was to take in Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water. One year it even snowed - enough to make the villages gorgeous but not enough to impact the shopping. At one point I came across a council work gang repairing a stone wall in Santa hats - I waved and they all waved back. Another year I got as far as Gloucester. Lots of good places to get in an old fashioned Christmas mood within a decent distance of Coventry. I miss those trips.

Hi Philip, I live in Warwickshire but presume you live in Coventry, i.e. West Mids? Speaking to friends who live in Coventry and use bus passes, they have more scope to travel than I do. Would you know is this the case?