Coventry Carnivals / Godiva Processions

2010 festival:

http://www.youtube.com/v/OrikGo_JBGg http://www.youtube.com/v/d8E9SA0OtEw http://www.youtube.com/v/6nIe3GUyuZ8

Many many thanks BrotherJoybert for allowing us "ex Kids" to share the excellent carnival procession. It must have been a nightmare to organise and I can only imagine the hours of work and sleepless nights that went into it It just goes to show what can be done by a community minded people given todays red tape that seems to put so many obstacles in the way. Well done everyone.. Alan.

Hello, I have just found this lovely site and I wondered if any of your members can help me. For many years I had a picture postcard of the 1908 Lady Godiva on a grey horse which was being held by a groom in the dress of the early 1900's. The groom was my grandfather Richard (Dick) Hurst. I lost the picture about 20 years ago and would dearly love to be able to find another, or similar, photo. So if anyone has a copy or knows where I can perhaps aquire one I would be extremely grateful. Please contact me via this website. Regards Brenda

Here's a link to my video clips + photographs of today's procession on Warwick Road as it neared the main entrance to the War Memorial Park. Godiva Carnival Procession 2011

In the 1920's Coventry revived the procession of Lady Godiva. The young lady on the horse was Gladys Cleverley, my mother's cousin. Gladys was born just off Broadgate where her dad was a Hatter. Gladys went on to become a very famous singer and actress known as Marjorie Manners. She was in musicals around the country and went on to star with the Billy Cotton Band Show. She died in London and was buried from the same church and on the same day as Hughie Green. My mother - Betty Mary Barr nee Cleverley - would love to know if anyone remembers her.

Hello and welcome to the forum - you'll find us a friendly crowd and willing to help posters with their queries Just one point on yours - doing a bit of Googling, it does seem that her name was spelt Margery rather than Marjorie Sheet music on ebay

That's really fascinating!

I wonder if amyship knows that Gladys Cleverley's dad, the hatter, was a founder member of Coventry Godiva Harriers in 1879? I assume that this was William Cleverley rather than his brother Thomas. In the club's first minute book, they both appear listed jointly as member number 1 with an address at 61 Butts. William seems to have been the driving force in the new club, making unilateral decisions when activities in the club were going pear shaped. In those early days, there were very few races during the winter so it is difficult to assess the relative merits of the two brothers. There was very little competitive activity in the early 1880s amongst cross country clubs, the sport being very much in its infancy. Nearly every Saturday was taken up by a club run across the country. The sport was very different from the athletic or cross country sport we know today. In the summer, Godiva club activities ceased, although handicap flat races did occur around and near the city but not organised by Godiva Harriers. The winter runs took the form of pack runs, paper chases, hare and hound competition, an inter club with another older Coventry club, Union Harriers who had their headquarters at the Dolphin Inn near the Coventry Market [twice per season] or a club handicap for club members only [again, two per season]. The prizes given for the club handicap races were gifts in kind from club vice presidents, i.e. usually watches! A vice president was a person interested in the club for social reasons, rather than as an active competitive member. Both William and Robert were watchmakers, William moving to Birmingham in 1882, on which occasion he presented the club with a horn, inscribed with 'Haste ye Home' to be used by the 'whipper-in' to regroup the runners when spread out on a cross country run. I have been unable to trace when he returned to Coventry. One of them had a son [which one??], Charlie, who became the club captain in the 1920s. He won the Annie Bettmann Trophy, which was a cup presented to the club in 1908 by the Mayor, Siegfried Bettmann along with a monetary donation to keep the club active when they were having severe financial difficulties; the cup competition was limited to paid up members only and was awarded to the runner who had accumulated the largest number of points from a series of handicap races held throughout the winter months. The cup is still competed for annually today!! When Cleverley's house was bombed in the Coventry Blitz, it is believed that the horn was destroyed along with other club documents. I wonder if amyship's mother has any stories / information about Godiva which would be of interest to my club history????

2012 festival:

In an act of Health and Safety gone mad - the Godiva Festival has just been called off! Madness - we live right by the Mem Park and I play Footie there with my lads most nights - Its not that wet!

They are just discussing moving the bands to the Kasbah! Why couldn't they use Broadgate - wasn't that what this new layout was for.

Although the cancellation must be very disappointing for thousands of people, I think it was the right thing to do. I remember a few years ago when the weather was atrocious it took months for the park to recover. Lets hope the weather is kind to us for the Olympic torch relay on Sunday and Monday.

Just wanted to correct myself from my original post for this - As mentioned I live right next to the park and playing footie tonight (after slipping flat on my back-side!) I withdraw my original comment and say calling the Festival off was the right decision for the park. Well done whoever made the bold call at the council....

It takes a big person to admit they've got something wrong, well done Neil.... and I hope your bum isn't too sore!!

2013 Godiva Festival:

After the awful weather we experienced last year, which resulted in the Godiva Festival being cancelled, it was really great to see the people of Coventry being able to enjoy themselves in the (current) glorious weather. The rest of the weekend looks good as well! Here are just a few pics from the Main Stage:- The crowd slowly builds in the early evening... Second band on stage; Pint Shot Riot... Followed by local band; Ghostpoet... The crowd waiting in anticipation for the headline act... ... Echo & the Bunnymen - who were booked last year but sadly had to wait 12 months!... Then back tonight for another session!

Hi & thank you Tony. I think that Mayjan will be there too. Give her our love.