Canley (inc. Sir Henry Parkes School)

Hi everyone, I've just joined the forum. I was at Henry Parkes School in the 60s. My teachers were, Mrs Dent, Mrs Brooker, Mr Bayliss and Miss Penn. Mr Maddison was the Headmaster.What a great site this is. Loved seeing the photo of the teachers, I too remember Mr Rae, Mr Meachin and Mrs Ainslie. My brothers and sister also went to Henry Parkes School, will let them know about this site, I'm sure they would love to join. Julie Pritchard

Hi Alan, I think the Kenny Ball you are referring to is my uncle. He lived in Sheriff Avenue and yes he died many years ago. His children all still live in Coventry. Julie

The pic is of a group from Charter Primary School (Canley) who visited the Houses of Parliament sometime between 1953 and 1955. I'm the lad 3rd from left looking at the floor.

The High Commissioner for Australia; His Excellency The Hon. Alexander Downer AC paid a visit to Coventry yesterday (27th May) during bi-centenial celebrations to mark the birth of Sir Henry Parkes. He attended St Mary the Virgin Church in Stoneleigh where Henry was Baptised to see the new "Henry Parkes" exhibition... ...followed by a visit to Moat House cottages in Canley, where Henry was born. He is seen here unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion, accompanied by Coventry's new Lord Mayor, Cllr Michael Hammon. The exhibition at the church is open from 10:00am each morning and runs until September.

Hi can anyone help I found a milk bottle whilest digging in groby Leicester On the bottle it says. A.maddison & son broad lane dairy. Coventry. I wonder how old the bottle is and how much is it worth thanks. Kieron

Hello & welcome to you, Kieron The name Maddison does ring a bell. Let's hope someone can help. I knew it rang a bell. It is included in our topic here.

Last Monday the council opened a wonderful new facility for the local people of Canley... Here is a quote from the Councils website: The park in Prior Deram Walk, Canley was re -opened this week by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, local residents and pupils from Charter Primary School and the Westwood Academy. The Council has invested in the design and redevelopment of the park following the sale of development land off Prior Deram Walk to Taylor Wimpey. The park is designed for residents of all ages to use with the provision of a network of new formal and informal footpaths, new play equipment for a range of ages, a multi-use games area, informal kick about area, wildflower planting, seating, notice boards, and lighting. The site also benefits from new drainage. Charter Primary School pupils unveiled a kangaroo mosaic which celebrates the links the area has with Australia. Georgette Franklin (Head Teacher of Charter Primary School) who worked with 40 pupils from the school to design the kangaroo art work said, "We all really enjoyed working on the kangaroo mosaic. Together, we have created a piece of art which will leave a legacy at the park and can be enjoyed by everyone who comes to visit." That was Monday. By Friday 17th July, just FOUR DAYS later, it looked like this... Arsonists had destroyed a large section of the soft play area. Beautiful wooden steps are charred and unusable. It makes my blood boil to see this. Should anyone know who did it, please report them. This cannot be allowed to happen!

It just beggars belief! Were the imbeciles that committed this not children themselves once? As I read the post I was impressed that the Council had for once invested Council Tax payers money into something positive for one of the City suburbs, and as TonyS states for the benefit of all ages, but then I read the bottom line. Without this Forum those of us in distant places would not be aware of these events, but now their actions can be seen worldwide. The Forum is not only important for people to contribute to, but equally is accessible to multitudes of organisations who wish to reference different subjects pertaining to Coventry. It is a pity that within it there are Topics such as this and so there should be, but this is a sad reflection of today's society which will be read as historical in years to come.

Hi all It's not just because it is Canley either, whatever that insinuates. Allesley Park children's play area suffered the same when that was remodelled. Security cameras have been installed there, I now understand. People with either empty minds or low aspiration have little or no value in their lives. There only means of gratification is metering out destruction, whether it is to people, property, or animals, makes no difference. Such behaviour, they can always rely on getting support for in our legal systems, by jargon, such as their deprived upbringing. Whilst on jury service, I chanced upon a defence lawyer, actually rehearsing his rounding up plea to present before their worships, when he was representing just such an individual who had set a light to a Coventry bus. PS Just remembered this from less than a year ago.

I also attended Sir Henry Parkes, leaving in 1961 and going off to boarding school. Mr. Rea was a wonderful teacher for whom, I have the utmost respect. I can still recall conversations I had with him all those years ago and it is a pleasure to see Michael Rea commenting on this site. I wish I could thank Mr. Rea (senior) in person for the life-lessons I learned from him. Also, Julie Pritchard: I knew Kenny Ball very well. He was a good friend of my older Brother.

UPDATE: A 12-year-old boy has been arrested after the fire caused £20,000 damage to the park. Info courtesy of bbc.co.uk/coventry

I hate to admit it but I really think the parents should be made accountable for the 12 year old actions, that way maybe they will become more aware and responsible for what he gets up to. Naturally I do not know of all the details of his case but for a child, and he is only a child, must have problems at home (isn't that the usual excuse for such actions?) but perhaps not. He certainly ought to be brought to account in front of his school and see how he likes that. He most likely bragged about his actions to his mates an hour later. What a pathetic excuse for a human being he is turning out to be. I don't know whether to feel sorry for his parents or do they need lessons in parenthood whilst he is still so young. (Sorry if I have strayed from the main thread but I feel very strongly about reading of this type of vandalism and always tried to instill the difference between right and wrong to my two children - now adults - and it didn't hurt them to have a little more discipline due in the times we live in)