Swanswell Pool, White Street

Our Philip will be so envious of your adventures

These were uploaded to Memories Of Coventry (owners of the photo's unknown) Boating on the Swanswell Swanswell Pool Swanswell, White Street

Things that I remember about the Swanswell besides catching tiddlers was a feller used to come round selling ice creams from an ice box mounted on the front of his pushbike which had a small front wheel to accommodate it. I don't think it was D Di's, Walls comes to mind but I'm not too sure. The nickname the Indian Ocean must have come from the Indians, Sikhs I think, who used to gather in groups to pass the time of day. Kids used to unashamedly beg for money from them, and get it.

Philip. I don't remember The Milk Bar but I do remember The Swans Nest in White St. Often went there for Sunday lunch late 50s. On the menu was Vienna steak that was really just a beef burger. Norman.

Hi Norman It's maybe my memory that has gone to pot. Seriously, it is possible for us to have memories that somehow get transplanted to the wrong place. Next time I am in the Herbert records section, I will see what I can find.

I have been given the loan of some very old postcards, must be about one hundred of them. A few of them of Coventry. The top one I have no date for but the one in colour is postal dated 9 Aug 1905, with a penny red King George stamp. The person sending worked in Cov until 8-30 each evening and would be home in Rugby by 8pm Sat evening. That is a very short weekend for people to commute between such a short distance. It was regular for him as the conversations on the postcards prove. Not all of Cov though.

Don't think there's a separate thread for White Street but found this interesting image on the True Coventrian FB page of White Street and Swanswell Pool war damage. Not seen before and very clear.

Thank you Neal, I bet that made a mess of the pub just off on the right..

Wow ! a good one Neil. I see the traffic light is still standing.

Does anyone know of an image of the Crimean Cannon that was by Swanswell Pool in-situ? I know we have the one on Gosford Green.

Hoping I'm posting in the right place and this is a long shot.... So, my 3x grt uncle was Richard Vallance Green who was a long time photographer in White Street, Coventry (& Broadgate for a few years). He and his family were silk ribbon weavers but like many, the Cobden treaty had the family looking for alternative employment and R.V. Green set up a photographic studio in "White Street opposite Swanswell pool" in 1862. He's listed as head silk ribbon weaver on the 1861 census but the following year places an advert in the Coventry Times advertising his first studio. In 1871 he moves to Jesson House, no.2 White Street which has a purpose built studio attached. I'm puzzled about the first address, "White Street, opposite Swanswell pool". His father lived at number 14 White Street which was closer to the pool but not really opposite. I can't see where a studio could have been set up...... would anyone have any ideas?