Smithford Street (inc. Ram Bridge)

Annewiggy Thank you. Then looking at the painting of Neil's of 1953 there is no sign of the Precinct or demolition for such, so how did they have the Precinct up and running in 1954? That's what flashed through my mind. I was there almost daily and deeply part of my life.

Helen F. Then you have a damned fine idea of the city, and a great asset to us all. Smithford Street is the most historic and important street in Coventry - to me it is Coventry. Once it was all fields, woods and rivers, and about seven small hillocks, the churches built on the hills, the priories on the sides, a castle in the dip. People slept in the shelter of the walls of the castle, a large gate across the entrance (Broadgate), paths to north, south, east and west from Broadgate. The main path (Smithford St) to the west led through the Greyfriars orchard, but fairs and markets began, mainly each side of Smithford St. They built hotels and inns for the farmers and traders to stay nights as they came from far afield, they built a cross in Broadgate at the east-side of the market, the north becoming Cross Cheaping, the east the High St, the south Cheylesmore. But Smithford St, the most important - all the little roads, courts came from it. They built a corn market close by, a meeting house, a school, the watch-house, a theatre, a barracks - all developed from the business in Smithford St. They built Hertford St from Greyfriars to link up to Smithford St and Broadgate between the booths and stalls, houses, inns, and names, beside names of market were Garden Row, West Orchard etc, It was the real hub of Coventry 8/9 centuries, then it got smashed and the city could never put back that atmosphere, that warmth, that feeling, that belonging, and I with others wept.

Helen. I missed out that Smithford Street had the first bank in Coventry.

Sorry to revive this but this one just popped up on FB - I know it's Hales St but is that another one of our 'poles' we were debating about a while ago?

Yes, Neil, I feel sure that taken from the similar angle from High St looking down Smithford St the rogue 'pole' appears to be a lamp-standard as this one in Hales St! Congratulations!

LOL. We initially thought the thing was a lamp post, it was the weird perspective that made it look much further away and too big to be one of the familiar lamp posts. It was one of those shots where a car gets in the way, just as you press the button.

A 'Now and Then' of Ager's Smithford Street store.

Hope Dreamtime doesn't see that, Neil - she'll be in bits!

Yes - sorry Dream! Does anyone have the exact address for there so I can pinpoint the location on old maps.

I'm guessing but by the angles of the buildings I think it was number 6, right next to the King's Head.

Sorry lads, for once I am lost for words. Might I ask if Ager's still exist in Coventry? I don't usually reveal my weaknesses so I can't say how many pairs of shoes I own at the moment, however I would add that is my only vice and it's too late for me to give up now!

I'm happy to report it still is, Dream - yes, at its Corporation Street location.

Reading again of your 'vice' Dream reminds me of an old song "I went to school in Chelt-en-ham, to a fashionable ladies' college, where I learned of vice and all things nice..." I wonder if the 'vice' included buying shoes there? Incidentally Jones' shoe shop has recently closed, but there is still Clinkards in Montpellier and,of course,Hotter on the Promenade! My lady favours Robin Elt, who has shops in Malvern, Pershore and I think Leamington, so you would not be disfranchised if you paid a visit home, Dream.