The Burial Club

You paid them sixpence a week and they made sure that when you popped your clogs you received a decent burial :o) This one was near the junction of Wheatley Street and Priory Street:

I do! When my mother died 20 years ago I went with my father to a little office where the clerk produced a huge ledger, and it showed the payments, just pennies I seem to remember, made from 1917 by my grandfather for my mother and her sister, and the out-payment for my aunt's funeral during the war. I am sure that I have some documents somewhere if you would be interested. My parents were both old Coventrian families, and I have lots of unsorted paperwork which is VERY interesting that I need to work on. Some fascinating social history from the 1920's and 30's including essays in school books describing shops in the city!! I found this forum just today and am absolutely fascinated...have been chipping in with all sorts of bits.

A warm welcome to you shoestring! It's all these sort of bits that make this forum so worthwhile, thank you! All the best, Rob

Had a laugh at 'popped your clogs' Dutchman, reminds me of kick the bucket, pushing up the daises, nail the lid, lay me out, and I bet there are dozens more to be said. Incidentally, which chimney is that in the background, you would know.

It seemed appropriate Dreamtime, given my Dutch ancestry I'd actually forgotten it was me who began this thread! It belongs it the neighbouring Goodwin-Foster-Brown flour mill (formerly the City Mill). Poor cropping of the picture makes it look much shorter than in real life. The site is now occupied by the bus garage.

I also remember that society for a different reason! When I was looking to buy my first house in 1973/4 it was identified to me as a source for a mortgage. As I remember its trustee was a solicitor in the Quadrant, and he was the arbiter in agreeing/not agreeing mortgage loans.

Yes, very apt. Dutchman. Thank you for the info.

That's a fascinating nugget of history. And it's given me an idea for a short story! Ta! Has Wheatley Street gone now?

Yes, it was completely submerged under Sidney Stringer School and the new bus station, along with St Peter Street, Perkins Street, the original Fairfax Street and the top part of Priory Street.