Whitefriars Street (inc. Whitefriars Lane)

The pub on the corner is the Hope and Anchor. Whitefriars Street stopped well short of Parkside, at the point where the London Road swept around to join Much Park Street. The school sandwiched between Much Park Street and Parkside was St Michael's and has been discussed elsewhere in the forum:

Hi everyone, just found out about this great site and since people are mentioning "moi" I thought I would add my memories. Last Tuesday I reached the nice age of 61 so my memories are nearer than my old cousin. Dutchman, were the Carson boys, Frank and Michael, moved from the courtyard to Strathmore Ave I think. Next door to gran but the other side of the courtyard entry was the Barlows. I can remember on the even side down towards Gosford Street there was a hairdressers and D-Di's ice cream. I also remember a shop on the corner opposite Hope and Anchor, there was a girl in there, her name was Sandra. Her surname is Gray now but I think it was Bell in those days. Well got to do some work, will check later.

Hi Alan The younger brother was Frank Carson but I couldn't remember the older brother's name. After they moved to Strathmore Avenue I had little reason to visit the courtyard again but I did visit them in their new home. It must have seemed like a palace after what they had before. I don't remember a girl in the corner tea shop, which is unusual for me. The ice-cream parlour was "Victor's" rather than D-Di.

Hi Alan Mc. Who are you calling old? My memory is better than yours, I was there longer!!! It's Victor's ice cream not D-Di's. The Carson mum and dad, Paddy & Bella, were my mum & dad's best friends.

Hi cous, no disrespect intended, You're right about Paddy and Bella, I've just remembered they moved from Strathmore to Meadfoot Road, not far from my mum and dad. Dutchman, do you remember the "bomb hole" up the lane towards the hospital, from what you have posted earlier I am guessing it might have been the old GEC site.

"The Big Dip", yes it was the GEC Whitefriars Works until it was bombed in 1940.

Hi Alan. Only kidding.

Top end of Whitefriars Street viewed from Parkside in 1948 with the Whitefriars Inn dead centre on the corner of Much Park Street. There appears to be an advert for Jaguar on one of the houses on the London Road which is odd as there was never any garage there as far as I know. The rear of St Michael's School is visible in the foreground.

I like the fact the old abbey is part of the urban environment there! Someone at work went to school at St Michael's - he grew up in Coventry but now lives outside. He says when he goes into the city, he can't recognise much of it anymore. He tried to explain where St Michael's was, but as most of that area is now just ring road he struggled. He can describe getting there by bus, but the roads have all gone now!

The Jaguar sign Dutchman mentioned above, these signs were all over the city, on roofs, gable ends, hoardings etc, all pointing with an arrow (in most cases) in the direction of the factory.

Yes I never realised how built up to the Abbey was pre-ring road.

I used to live in Whitefriars Street and yes, I believe it is the Gaumont in the distance. Looking down the street, I lived on the right a little further down.

Hi Pauline, Yes I remember the bomb hole in Whitefriars Lane and apparently looking at an earlier post you remember ME as you remember playing with Gina. You are correct in saying that it was Victors Ice Cream who had their manufacturing plant in this street and also a cafe and ice cream parlour. I have only just started using this forum (or any other for that matter). Very interesting and provoking so many memories. By the way I didn't go to St Mary's School, only to the church.

Hi Gina, lovely to hear from you, and welcome to the forum.

Hi all & to you both, The last two posts make the forum all the more worthwhile.