Much Park Street

The original Triumph factory (Gloria Cycle Works) founded by German's Siegfried Bettmann and Mauritz Shulte was at 'Earl's Court',11 - 13,Much Park Street,at a rent of £150 per annum.

Any idea where this was, just found this on Mirrorpix

Bass Ratcliffe and Bretton took over Midland Brewery of Phillips and Marriott 127 Much Park Street in 1924

Here it is in 1948, just visible on the extreme left and set back from the road. The Admiral Lord Rodney/Rainbows is centre of the picture on the south side of what was once Much Park Street:

This indeed is St. Michael's C of E School I went there from 1953 to 1958 then to Vecqueray Street School for a short while until the new school on Whitley Common was completed. I left there and went to Whitley Abbey.

Wow I went there around 1950/51ish till I went to Cheylesmore Secondary Modern, I wondered where it was I had forgotten its whereabouts. I lived in Whitefriars Street. Memories.

St. Michael's School was in Much Park Street near to The Admiral Lord Rodney. My mum, Florence Hemmings and her sister Gert and two brothers, Jack and Charlie all attended there. My mum used to tell me that when she was about 6 years old, her mum, my gran, moved from the little court they lived in just behind the Rodney, to a "bit better court" in Far Gosford Street. Because of the move, mum and Gert were told they had to leave St. Michael's, and go to Vecqueray Street School which was nearer for them. Apparently, they went the first morning but decided it wasn't for them! So at lunchtime, my mum got hold of Gertie's hand and took her back up to St Michaels. Of course, that meant that on leaving school in the afternoon, they were very late getting home to Far Gosford Street. Gran was frantic, and out looking for them. But, when she heard what had happened, she told them it was ok they could still go to St Michael's. Can you imagine that happening these days! I remember mum and aunty Gert both crying when the school was pulled down to make way for the new Ring Road.

Not sure where to put this, but here's a link to oldmapsonline. I think they're connected to the National Library of Scotland which has already been given a post on this site. But I found this way in a much easier way to navigate to where you want to be. I've added an image for an example.

I had occasion, some time ago, to do some research on William Franklin, which you may (or may not) find interesting. William Franklin Born c1809. Married to Mary (possibly nee Dalby), possibly 13th Jan 1832 at St Michael's, Coventry. He was a ribbon manufacturer in Coventry and used a Jacquard loom on his premises which could produce a ribbon with eight colours simultaneously. He was apprenticed to Abijah Pears, ribbon manufacturer (Mayor of Coventry 1842), and became a freeman of the city. He was noted in the local press as a 'sturdy liberal' and each time he came forward for election was called an Undenominationalist. His sisters, the Misses Franklin, owned and ran the private school in Warwick Row which Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) attended. His father was the Rev'd Francis Franklin, for over half a century Minister at Cow Lane Chapel and nicknamed 'Father Franklin'. He was supposed to be depicted as Rev'd Rufus Lyon in George Eliot's book "Felix Holt". All are buried in London Road Cemetery, behind the Nonconformist Chapel. The Franklins were a force in local Baptist circles for over a century. William was a member of the School Board with responsibility for staffing at Spon Street and South Street. At the 1881 Census they were living at 'Highfield', St Nicholas St., Radford, Coventry with a daughter Sophia, unmarried and aged 40 (she died in 1900 aged 59). This street was home to most of the influential people in the city in mid-Victorian times. Died January 1885 aged 76 (GRO Coventry 6d 323). Buried 9th January at London Road Cemetery - Sq 119 Grave 6. His death was reported in the South Street School log book (page 186) by head teacher Anna Maria Watts on January 5th during the opening entry on the first day of term after the Christmas holiday. - 'W. Franklin Esq're (Member of the Coventry School Board) is dead. The children said the Hymn by Jane Taylor, "The morning hours of cheerful light," that he had asked the mistress to teach them.' A total of 13 people were buried in the family grave - William Parsons Franklin aged 7 16th Jun 1853 Radford Road Kingsford Franklin aged 5 mths 27th Mar 1873 Radford Road Grace Marion Franklin aged 3 20th Jan 1874 Radford Road Andrew Leslie Franklin aged 27 14th Dec 1876 Radford Road William Franklin aged 76 9th Jan 1885 St Nicholas St David Shakespeare Franklin aged 14 days 18th Mar 1885 St Nicholas St Elizabeth Franklin aged 43 10th April 1885 St Nicholas St Mary Franklin aged 82 20th Jun 1889 St Nicholas St Sophia Franklin aged 59 2nd Oct 1900 Highfield Francis William Franklin aged 83 22nd Feb 1916 Samuel Walter Morris aged 79 10th Nov 1937 Mary Elizabeth Morris aged 88 28th Feb 1946 Mary Irene Morris aged 89 25th Feb 1971 Highfield House still stands and is home to a collection of offices of various organisations.

A little bit more info you might find interesting. The business was originally in Bayley Lane. This is what it says in the 1912 book "Coventry up to date" Messrs Wm. Franklin & Son Ribbon Manufacturers, Bayley Lane, COVENTRY That the once prosperous staple trade of Coventry is by no means in a moribund condition is evidenced by the continued existence of such old and well known firms such as that of Messrs. Wm. Franklin and Son, whise connection with the ribbon-making industry dates back to the first quarter of the century. The founder, Mr Pears, was a well known manufacturer at that time. Mr Franklin, after duly serving his indentures for seven years, and subsequently taking up the freedom of the city, began business on his own account and very shortly Mr Pears, his former employer, solicited him to join the old firm, which then became Pears and Franklin. This arrangement continued until 1856 when Mr. F.W. Franklin was taken into partnership, the title then being altered to Pears, Franklin and Son. Shortly afterwards Mr Pears retired on the grounds of failing health, and the present style of the firm adopted. In January 1885, the present head of the firm, Mr Francis William Franklin, took over the reins of management. The premises occupied by the firm since their erection in 1860 are situated in Bayley Lane near to St. Michaels Church, and consist of a substantial red brick building of four storeys, containing on the ground floor manufacturing offices; the other portions of the warehouse being devoted to the different departments, such as the preparation of materia for the looms, and the finishing of woven fabrics. These include winding, warping, finishing, and watering machines, with pattern looms. The ribbons manufactured are of high class quality, fully up-to-date in colour and design, and are chiefly in demand in the home markets. A numerous staff of hands is employed in the warehouse, the manufacture of the goods being carried on at the weavers' own houses. In 1918, then in Much Park Street they were making medal ribbons to government contract.

Annewiggy, I know there was a lot of Franklins in Coventry, but a William Franklin built a row of houses down one side of Aldermans Green Road in 38/9, wonder if he was a relation? He was known to have lit a five pound note and then his cigarette with the note in the 'Castle' pub one night when he was drunk, to the disgust of the pub crowd. That bottle car was seen a lot round town at one stage, or was there more than one?

Francis William Franklin must have been the one who was buried in February 1916, aged 83.

Maybe this is him?

Tree on Ancestry [note: requires subscription]