Charterhouse, London Road

This is from a Facebook page: Today's Coventry Telegraph (15-09-11, page 2) has the story that The Charterhouse has been put up for sale by the City College. Coventry people in general, and residents of the Charterhouse area in particular, will know of the long running battle to preserve public access to the Charterhouse Fields. For the last two years The Charterhouse itself has stood empty, unused by City College who were given it just over 20 years ago when Coventry's FE colleges were transferred out of local council control. There is a proposal to create a charitable trust to run the building with the involvement of the local community. The organisers have already obtained one national grant and have indications of support from other heritage bodies. They are talking of restoring the mediaeval gardens at The Charterhouse, recreating the mediaeval fishing ponds and (something that many of us have long argued for) creating a walk along the River Sherborne that would link to Far Gosford Street. The Charterhouse Residents' Association was currently in the process of organising a special meeting for the proposers of the charitable trust to come and discuss with residents, when the bomb shell of this sale announcement came. The City College should give time for that charitable trust proposal to at least be aired and debated. Just as with the proposed transfer of the Charterhouse Fields to Blue Coat Academy, time is not on our side. Anyone who wants to help with this campaign can get in touch with me at dave@nellist.net or on 024 7622 9311.

Spent many a happy hour with our gang on adventures investigating the Colonel Wyleys as we named the Charterhouse. We went onto the fairground in Gulson Road and in our wellies walked along the Sherbourne towards Acacia Avenue. Would get chased out of Stathams yard for playing in the old cars there. Under Acacia Avenue and on toward the Charterhouse. Were shown the old murals once. We traced the wall surrounding the vegetable garden and paid our respects at the Dogs' cemetery, there were named gravestones along the wall. The London Road Cemetery staff would dispose of the old wreaths and flowers nearby so we would pinch some and lay them on the Dogs' grave - recycling in the 50s. Sometimes in summer we would carry on up the bank and have a dig for old pottery. Back under Folly Lane tunnels and home.

I posted this information last September, but it has received no comments. As there is some interest in the fate of the Gate House and Toy Museum stirring I thought I'd raise it again. Has anything been resolved? Has there been any protest?

Hi roseaoakwood, I'm sorry you have had no replies to your topic. I personally haven't heard anything recently, the latest announcement on it's progress can be found here Coventry Telegraph Article Nov 7th 2011 Maybe someone will be able to add to this?

Hi all. It is sad that a building & grounds with such historical significance to our city, appears to be treated as an expensive orphan which nobody wants to have to upkeep.

This sounds like some encouraging news Coventry Telegraph report

It was announced yesterday that the keys have finally been handed over to the charitable trust set up to save it. More info here

That's really good news

Plans unveiled for renovation and restoration project

Was walking around Charterhouse fields today and noticed the orangery chimneys on the wall of the Charterhouse walled garden. I searched online after getting home and found this page (Coventry Charterhouse Association website). Does anyone know if the rebuilt heated walls and chimneys are functional or not? Thanks, Luke.

Hi all, On a tour at the recent open day at the Charterhouse I was told by the tour guide that the writing in one of the wall paintings was illegible and was deemed unreadable by experts. Does anyone on this forum want to hazard a guess as to what it might say? I imagine the writing will either be in English or Latin. The writing is located in the pale- coloured box on the top right of the painting. (Inverted colours) Would recommend visiting the Charterhouse to anyone who hasn't already been round. Luke.

Could be French. There is probably a copy of the words somewhere in the records from when it was more legible. With the right equipment it could possibly be made visible again in the way they're reading old manuscripts.

Yes I think it likely that a local history society (Dugdale Society or other?) may have published the inscription when it was legible. Meanwhile here a super photo of the building

Garlands Joke Shop, Helen F: re the inscription beneath the painting, the Victoria County History of Warwick, Vol Vlll, Coventry, gives: "it appears to commemorate the completion of the house under Prior Wm Soland 1411-17."

More of the Charterhouse site