Broadgate

Yes thank you MR you are quite correct. At the unveiling I think everyone thought it was resurrected, not so much as legend but as a tribute to the people of Coventry and the disaster that befell them. The statue in a quiet Broadgate park where people of all nations could sit and reflect what happened here.

Mod's, I don't have the skills to post what I personally think, or what topic to use, or not to offend people, but after spending a few hours around Coventry last week I was dismayed at what I saw. And I ask can people really get to the heart of the story from a book? Around 1947 time, most of the forces members had returned home, a large number to see the devastation of their city for the first time, and along with the people of the City they wanted to show something that would remind people of that devastation, and oppression, a memorial, so they erected a statue of 'Lady Godiva' and placed it in Broadgate, where all could see it from any part of Broadgate. Now this is what I saw and heard at that time, I have know idea if it was put into print. Two days ago I had a job to find this memorial. Have your Council forgotten or just want to bury the story, if so would someone take her to London Road and let her rest with her people. Now when I was a boy I attended service in the old Cathedral, I also climbed the 'Spire steps' and in thirty years I must have climbed those steps over thirty times, not once was asked to pay, donations yes, a 'toll' no. Now I find what the Germans didn't destroy, someone has sealed 'off' and placed a 'toll' to climb those steps. In the 'House of God'. Did Jesus not throw out the traders and money 'grabbers' from the Holy Temple. I wept on the rubble of the Cathedral, along with several grown men a few hours after the destruction, now I weep again. Rob, I apologise if I have caused any embarrassment or such. This is my thoughts and mine alone

Well put and said, Kaga. My regards Derek

Well the stuff in Broadgate is temporary, so I don't know what the problem is. The statue is generally well kept and always looks good. Not really worth complaining about, given the horrendous state of the rest of the city centre!

Flapdoodle - if you look at the posts above Kaga is more concerned with permanent changes to Broadgate

I always enjoy what Kaga has to say about many issues, and respect his knowledge and passion about Coventry. However on this issue, I hold some different views and so would like to offer the following : Probably commissioned in the early years of the Second World War by a Coventry businessman to commemorate the legendary actions of an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman in attempting to ease the tax burden on the citizens of Coventry, the Lady Godiva statue was unveiled in October 1949. I remember the statue in the 1960's when essentially it was located in the middle of a busy traffic island and surrounded by bushes and trees. I do not recall anyone walking up to the statue to take a closer look partly as it would have been dangerous to do so and partly because I understand no pathways were built around it in order to dissuade pedestrians from approaching. I remember it therefore as quite an isolated and ignored feature in the city centre. When Broadgate was redeveloped, moving the statue proved to be controversial, and generated strong feelings about it, which have persisted. However the statue can now be approached and appreciated at close quarters, and the inscriptions read as they were meant to be. I think that it is probably now more important to the people of Coventry than it had been for many years. As for the issue of paying to enter church buildings, I too have climbed the Cathedral tower steps many times (but couldn't do it now!) I seem to remember having to pay all those years ago, although I might be wrong, but have no problem in making a reasonable contribution towards the upkeep of such historic buildings if I use them, so that they can be preserved for future generations.

The one I was responding to was a moan that you can't see that (Tacky) statue of Godiva - it's in the middle of a huge empty space. And I'd rather not see Horse's butt as I'm walking up towards Cathedral Lanes. Broadgate has been a rubbish since November 14th, 1940.

I usually agree with most of your opinions Flapdoodle and I know you have to look at Lady G on her horse. As it is now I can only see revellers jumping up and having a ride on New Years Eve. I can't see why they have to keep changing Broadgate in the first place. Did anyone complain when the statue was first stationed in the middle. I have seen a few 'obese rear enders' walking around here in Perth so Lady G's horse's butt would not faze me in the least. I don't think the horse had much attention on Lady G's glory day. I do agree I think she is misplaced now, perhaps in another area, what about near the council house? Avaguden

But most of us have no memory of what Broadgate looked like before November 14th, 1940. To us it was always a green island surrounded by a busy road with a statue in the middle and a rather peculiar area of hardstanding with flagpoles on the southern side.

Midland Red, yes, a beautiful picture, with quiet and peace, and the spirit of Coventry, a tribute to all the citizens of Coventry that withstood the onslaught of war, not just the blitz but the servicemen and women from Coventry that gave their lives. . How I would loved to have sat there and reflected on the past. Flapdoodle, perhaps you are too young to really understand the real horror of what happened in those dark days, and why we should not forget, or maybe I am judging you too harshly, whatever I believe, it is your sad loss,

David H Thank you for your reply, Yes, from the middle twenties to the middle fifties there was no charge, but my family donated, and so did I when old enough, and would have done so the other day had I not been so angry at seeing a charge. If people think I'm making a false statement, let me say at the age of 55-6 I came from the Sussex coast to take part in the 82-3 marathons to raise donations to Coventry charities. Had Coventry made small crossings to the island, then what a boon to the elders to sit and rest in quiet surroundings, whilst out shopping.

The only time I ever saw peace in the post war Broadgate was early Sunday mornings. The rest of the week saw a constant flow of traffic, mainly buses, and you really wouldn't have wanted to sit on the island surrounded by noise and bus fumes.

I think it was very sad that the focal point of the centre was isolated within what was effectively a busy traffic roundabout for so many years. There was no real way to access it, although quite a few did after a Saturday night out. I recall us all going up to the statue one night and one lad actually ended up sitting on the horse 'checking out' Godiva. I thought it was long overdue when Broadgate was opened up as a square. Most big cities have some sort of open area square of this sort. The statue is still where it should be in my opinion. Whatever the actual merits of the Broadgate area, it is the focus of the city centre. So it is quite appropriate that one-off events are held there too. For instance, on the Heritage weekend, there was an excellent food market with stalls featuring food from all over. Anything that attracts people to the city has to be positive.

What's my 'sad loss'? I don't know what you're talking about. Are you trying to tell me how I should think?