Hillfields

Hi All, Although I have been a member for a couple of years I have not really done a post as such, so can you all make an allowance if I drop the odd mistake or two, thanks and hello to all. I always read the forum every morning whilst munching on my cornflakes and have found many great articles which I can relate to, Frederick Bird School, Hillfields and Stoke related topics to name a few, so when Eli Green's Triangle came to my notice, old memories were stirred with the superb collection of photo's which I thank Covjb35 for providing. As a young lad in the late fifties / early sixties I remember it fondly as I made my way along it with my mate who had the nickname Mammoth (he was on the large side a bit) to attend Cubs in the St Peter's Parish Rooms at the far end of Yardley Street and I may be mistaken but I seem to recall that a company called Liggins were there producing garments or possibly underwear? There was a archway that went through the line of the terrace, about one third down from the Berry Street end giving access to the courtyard inside the triangle. Great Forum, love reading articles

Hi Colin I'd love to hear what that courtyard was like inside!

You are right there was a company called Liggins, I remember it being in Brook Street/Vernon Street and they made lingerie. Mum had a friend who worked there, she used to bring me off cuts of lace that I used to make dolls' clothes. I can't remember the archway in Berry Street but hopefully someone who lived in the area will.

I don't remember an arch on Berry Street either, Tricia, but I can see what looks like an arch in post #1, photo 13, on the Vernon Street side.

Hi, Tricia I'm sorry for misleading you, what I meant was that the archway / entrance was in Vernon Street about 1/3rd down from the Berry Street end, it had, I seem to remember blue wooden doors which were closed when I went past on my way to cubs at around 5.30 in the evening around 1962-4, so like Neil, I also would like to know what the inside was like, but I suppose what was behind the blue doors must remain a mystery!

Just started to read "Pioneers to power". There is a comment that the owner of the Vernon Street block was not over-scrupulous about such niceties as bye-laws. He was not content to sell power from his steam engine on one side of the street, but he dug a trench in the dead of one dark night, laid down a shaft to carry power to the other side of the road, and covered it up before dalylight. The trench, with the original shaft still in place, was discovered during road excavations in the late 1940's.

My maternal grandparents came to Coventry from Grantham in 1906 and the first house they had was 10 Ranby Road, near enough to Highfield Road for my granddad. They moved to St Michael's Road, and in the 20's bought a new house in Binley Road, opposite the Rectory.

Hi all Hillfields in pictures.

Michelle Goodlad

One of our members has been brave enough to add some of his memories of early times in Hillfields to the Historic Coventry "Your memories" section, which you can read here.

Hi Jerry, this one for you. Not a very good shot but a recent view of Canterbury St looking down to Raglan St. St Peters to the right and the white building just showing by the trees further down on the right is the only building still original along with a few houses on the left.

A message from Inyoni for everyone.... Hi Members All! This is to thank Mid Red, Prof, Philip and anyone else commenting on my Canterbury Street "Clock Pub". Looking at that edifice photo of pub and fading street detail, l imagine my No 13 is one of those still in view down the street. Thanks Mid Red, l think this was yours. My Thanks to Prof! I believe the sepia coloured picture of "The Clock" was your input, it looks the oldest of the two, especially if the fellow outside the pub on the left of the picture is wearing "knickerbockers" or is he wearing cycle clips? l recognise the slight angle of the Primrose Hill and Victoria Street/Vine Street junction where the photographer, plate camera and black cloth would have been positioned. As an adjunct re the Vine Street/ Primrose Hill junction. Anyone remember the name of the fishing tackle shop on Vine Street corner? My earliest memory was of the fish trophies in the windows and the big carp lazing in the mill overflow into the Swanswell, viewed regularly from my pushchair. There was one more photo taken under miserable conditions, misty, dull, etc. an over the roof shot l think, taken from some high-rise which picked up, l suppose, what remains of one of the old back yards with outside wash house. Strangely, the church and towerof St Peters in Charles Street, where l was christened, was relatively clear amongst its trees. My paternal gran cleaned up after services before, during and after the war, until she passed in 1950. The crypt was the air raid shelter during the bombings for her and others around. Lastly l think it was Philip, with the Old Cov Buildings thread. I tried to connect but was not too impressed with the almost immediate security warnings every time l opened! l came across the same thread previously whilst browsing with the same warnings. Thanks anyway for your input. Thanks to Rob for your unfailing help in sorting my contact problems. Inyoni

Never seen this one before. The Canterbury Arms - Hillfields through the ages A walk from Hillfields. It shows the remaining houses and the white building.

Primrose Hill Street