Coventry Pubs

The Climax in the Arcade - you can just see the edge of the neon racing car to the right.

....and another rare glimpse of The Thistle.

Fretton drew some houses in Spon Street and to the right hand side was a part of another building. It was brick fronted but could have had a much older frame. This following was connected to the drawing - These ancient buildings formerly stood at the entrance of Spon street, on the south side, opposite the new Holyhead road. They had been for some years past in a dilapidated condition, and it being considered that they were too far gone to be put into tenantable repair, they were removed in March, 1881. The sketch was taken on the 14th of that month, when the buildings at the back were being demolished. In the old deeds the property is described as adjoining the " Quart and Bottle " yard, and the entry to the right of the drawing is still called by that name. This puts the Quart and Bottle on the site of the Plough Inn (number 9). The Plough and the old buildings were all marked on the 1850 map but the houses were demolished in 1881 and the Plough shortly after 1888. The Inn was rebuilt as the west corner of Queen Victoria Road by at least 1905 as the building in photographs of that corner.

I've just seen a Council update on so-called traffic 'improvements'. Seems the Council are once again ignoring Listed Building status. - the Black Horse pub had little remaining historical value as the building had been completely renovated by the owners into residential apartments. However plans are being investigated to keep a curated historical record of the pub to be displayed online or even at the former IKEA building.

While I'd admit that some of Coventry's old buildings have little historical significance, I just wish they'd measure them and photograph them properly before they knocked them down. They are tape measures for older buildings long since demolished.

I've sent Bally Singh the councillor who added the update to FB this reminder. No, it'll never be like that again and yes, time moves on, but rather that than a wider road and a fat cheque to the developer who owns it!

In the greater scheme of things, maybe not that important? But as far as local athletics was concerned, the Black Horse, as a pub, had huge historical significance. Spon End was the centre of athletics in the city, or more accurately, harrier running. The pub was the scene of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Coventry Godiva Harriers in the late summer of 1892. Many members were employed in the cycle industry, which at that time was going through a lean period. Unemployment was the cost effective way for the employers to solve the crisis. For the working classes, this was no solution. Money was tight. Autumn was the time for Godiva members to pay their subs. Many members couldn't afford to pay, coffers were depleted and club officials took the decision to cut back on team entries for races, which alienated members, hence the Extraordinary A.G.M. at the Black Horse pub, the erstwhile headquarters of the Godivas. Godiva virtually ceased to exist when most members and officials decided to resign and form an entirely new club and move away from the Black Horse. This new club was called Coventry Harriers - one of four different clubs in the city using that name over the last 140 years.

The councils (because it's not just the current one) seem to have very little interest in history recent or more distant.

Discussions on the "traffic improvements" continue in the Spon End thread

One for our member 'Wearethemods' Bird in Hand - James Bates listed as licensee 1868-1874 was a brother of your 3x great grandfather William Bates.

Wow, that's amazing MR! Thankyou for enlightening me and sharing.

CliffB came up trumps again recently with this find. It shows the Hospital Inn on the left at 2 Stoney Stanton Road. It was sold to the C&W Hospital in 1918 (according to Fred/Rob's Pub section) so this image must be early 20th century.

The Swanswell looks like it's fighting a last stance against the Ring Road!

Anyone know if this place is still open?