Broadgate

As requested Kaga -

NeilsYard, Thanks, didn't realise it was so large. That's what threw me.

NeilsYard, The Prudential opened its first office in 1906 at 47 Earl Street. In August 1938 they bought a new site, the building half-timbered. In March 1939 during the work on the site two old copper coins were found. One dated from the reign of William and Mary, 1689-1694; the other from George II, 1727-1760. They opened in March 1940 at 11 Broadgate. In November 1940 they moved to 1 Queens Road.

This tells me they didn't knock all buildings down in the late thirties without thought, the Pru re-built but keeping the medieval appearance.

I've only just joined this site and found your post. Inspector Langford (later Deputy Chief Constable and Chief Superintendent) was my dad!

Hi Maggiemay How amazing to connect someone with an old photo. Did you have a copy already?

There is an unusual little video on Broadgate You Tube Broadgate

Very cleverly done. Thanks for the link argon.

From a different view point!

1920s Broadgate

Annewiggy, May I ask another favour, something has just reminded me - did Coventry have street and shop illuminations or some special lights? I must have been about four or five, and it was after cutting the corn, say end of August/Sept 31/32.

I can't find anything Kaga, I have searched for a few relevant words around those dates. They seemed more interested in providing coaches to go to Blackpool!

I don't know if this is what you mean Kaga but with advent of gas, some of the shops in the main routes had exterior lamps with a variety lamp shades. They were on their way out by your time but the shops seem to have been well lit.

Helen F, Thank you. I'm not sure, every light seems to be on, so could be.

Looking through the newspapers there seems to be a thing about "illuminating " everything in 1931. Kenilworth Castle gatehouse was illuminated for a while and of course everyone was off to Blackpool. There was also something called the International Illumination Congress, going round various talk. The other new thing they were talking about was illuminating kerbs to save accidents. The one thought I had though was would your memory be August Kaga. It would not get dark until later in the evening.