Stoke Green

Hi. Does anyone have any information regarding a row of four old small cottage style houses on the Binley Road, right next to Pattison's College, by the funeral directors, apparently they were occupied by midgets about 20 years ago. Any information appreciated

Has anybody got any photographs of the Joseph Levi Clock that they could share with me please?

Hello - I am organising a walking Treasure Hunt of Stoke Green on 12 April. The route will start at the Play Area on the Binley Road, going across through the Avenues into Brays Lane, past the Bulls Head Pub, Pattisons College before meeting back in Stoke Green Park. The idea is to get local residents to learn about the history of the area whilst having fun at the same time. I have never organised a Treasure Hunt before and would therefore be very grateful for any hints and tips and most importantly any information about the Stoke Green area that I could use as clues. Many thanks. Corinne

I remember playing in the paddling pool when I was a child. All the mothers in our street would pack the kids and picnics (brown sauce sandwiches, crisps, biscuits and lemonade) and we'd all spend the day there. There was usually an ice cream van, but we seldom had one because it was too expensive to get 4 children an ice cream! Happy days

Please don`t forget `Jabets Ash`

see you there and good luck

There is a nice picture of the clock and the paddling pool in "Coventry old and new" E B Newbold, taken in 1973, not sure if I can put it on here.

There's a house in Stoke Park that is built from old timbers taken from demolished medieval buildings. I think the house was one of the first to be built inside the 'wall' - apparently, though, this attempt at a Victorian walled suburb was something of a failure and was never filled up until years later. We used to live just behind it, and it was an interesting place to walk through. The row of houses facing the road always looked impressive, as does the 'avenue' until it reaches the roundabout where it turns into a typically dreary 20th century landscape of roads and gaps and rusting street furniture.

I hope this picture helps. I have used poetic license (Photoshop) to try to restore its dignity by removing the tyres draped over it.

It has been announced this morning that the Gosford Park Residents Association are launching an appeal to raise funds in order to get the Joseph Levi Memorial Clock restored and returned to its original position. Here are some photo's of the clock on The Coventry Society's web page, and there is also a link at the bottom of their page to download a file containing many more.

I have fond memories of the paddling pool when I was a nipper, I used to swim (well I thought I was swimming) it was'nt deep enough really and when you opened your eyes under water it was grotty as hell and full of dead leaves,i don't think it was cleaned very often yet it did'nt do me any harm. The clock? yes it would be nice to see it back in place again...

Has anyone got a photo of the paddling pool after it was hit by a bomb ?,I can recall seeing a photo many years ago of a man standing in a crater where the pool was.

Here's some further news about the Levi clock appeal I do hope that this succeeds in its aim

As a Stoke born Coventrian, as were both my parents, I feel sure my father told me that the Stoke Smithy was where Duckhams hardware stood, next to the entry that led to the Fish & Chip Shop at the side of Empress Buildings. I think this is correct because our next door neighbour was Tom Flowers (he and his wife shared our Anderson shelter during air raids) and he was son of the blacksmith again according to my father. I remember Brains (?) the electrical shop, Reason's wool shop, the lending library, all in Empress Buildings though others elude me at the moment. Oh, there was also the post office next to Duckhams I think and the last shop before an entry and the start of the red brick houses on the left of Binley Road going up towards the Rectory. However thank you for a superb early photo which looks as if it may be from a postcard.

Rob I thought it best not to put the Genealogy.com info on the open forum until we have found a little more concerning Fred Flowers and members of his family, as he married twice apparently it could complicate matters.