Smithford Street (inc. Ram Bridge)

Malvern At one time Amos Packwood was the largest coach operator in Coventry, the Freemen were religious people and foremen, the mass of people didn't have a vote, not until WWI. The old Victorian class system didn't really go out until WWII.

We were debating when the trams vanished from Smithford Street. I've found a newspaper report that must be early October 1932 stating that the tram track grooves, complete with metal rails were filled in the previous day from Broadgate to Spon Street.

The Broadgate to Allesley Old Road service finished on the 5th March 1932

Another new one for me.

I remember it well, Neil!

Smithford Street revealed. But not for long; it was being dug up when I walked past again half an hour later.

Well captured Peter. I heard O'Boyle going on about them this morning on the radio. As you say they've already been dug up and he was mooting about putting them down somewhere else - completely losing the meaning and representation of what they are/were

The cobbles where they were in January 1955.

I think the cobbles Peter photographed are about where the two women are pushing the pram towards Broadgate. This old photo doesn't show the cobbles very clearly though. Notice how the spire is nicely visible in the centre as was originally intended when the Precinct was planned.

Today's mystery These pipes were buried beneath the Smithford Street roadway revealed (and removed) last week. Buried pipes are nothing new, but these are bound together in a 3x3 formation which I haven't seen before. There are two sets and I can't see why anybody would use 18 pipes instead of one! The pipes are aligned with the former roadway.

Are they pipes or are they electricity or gas?

Definitely service pipes, not sewer or gas.

You could be correct in thinking they were electricity, Helen. I've come across early (1890's) photographs of 3-phase electrical distribution in both New York and Bristol that have some similarities to this Smithford Street image. Would this fit in with the time period of the excavated items? The bundle of 18 could probably be three circuits of 3-phase in delta formation, cutting out the need for an earth cable. See Electrical distribution images

Labelled as Smithford Street 1940 - anyone note whereabouts?

It's the corner of Fleet Street and West Orchard looking north, with Well Street in the distance. The building on the right is the new Co-op building.