Old Coventry postcards

What a great photo. Seeing the policeman on point duty brings back memories. Looks like the back of a trailer loaded with goods from the railway yard approaching the crossing. The policeman on point duty in Bishop Street was another popular sight - both very risky jobs.

Midland Red. Gardens, trees, peaceful and tranquility, the Coventry that was, no road signs, no white lines, no aggro, time for a barrowboy to chat to the driver of a seed dray, wonder were that was headed? Love the picture.

Would I be correct in remembering a Policeman on point duty at these crossroads during the 1950s? I think he stood on a box.

Yes, c49, there and the top of Bishop Street

Yes, Kaga, the more you look at it, the more you see - it's a really great postcard!

Midland Red. It tells a lot - the motor cycle and sidecar were all the rage, end of 20's start of 30's, by the end of the thirties almost died out. The grain dray has over twenty sacks, I would say crushed oats as cattle/horse feed? Heading towards Hertford street, too much of an incline for one horse and that load, could he be heading for the market, or cavalry stables?

Ronald 34. There were two other policemen, one at the top of Hertford St/Broadgate and one at the bottom of Burges in those days. There was a time when that street was more to Coventry than any other street. To thousands of the young people of Coventry they were the last steps they took in Coventry, never to return. Every day you would see wives, mothers, girlfriends, walking down the street, tears streaming down their cheeks, having said goodbye to loved ones, fearful of the future. There were joyous ones to when people returned. Photos like these remind me - still vivid in my memory.

One of the finest Midland Red and so evocative of Coventry with Greyfriars Green with the Three Spires! Great! I also note the two cupolas on Warwick Road Congregational Church (later URC).

coventry49, I believe Coventry only used white helmets for traffic duty, unlike Brighton who had white helmets for all policemen.

Yes, Kaga, you are right, white helmet for traffic duty. I had a policeman's uniform as a nine year old my mother made out of old blue serge blackout material, and my parents knew a DS in Coventry who supplied the helmet which was a white traffic helmet. A belt handcuffs and wooden handmade truncheon completed the look!

Post 8, Maya, York, asked why difference in spelling. Pre c.1800 spelling had not settled down as we know it today, so I think the earlier spelling which is also shown on a piece of Warwickshire tapestry, changed over time, but still gave no clue to how to pronounce it "Stychale"! Keresley is another one. The hospital doctors and staff tended to pronounce it as if it were to be like Berkeley only 'Karsley', whereas to anyone in Coventry it is Kers(e)ley.