Hillfields

Thanks for the welcome.I have not lived in Coventry for 40 years. Last visited 14 yeays ago, no family as such there now. Now based in Driffield East Yorks,still have a slight Coventry accent,with a bit of Yorkshire too.May try to visit Cov soon,as i am always talking about my early years there. Only left as i married a lad who was in the army and we settled up here in 85. I am still a Sky Blues fan, not easy, as my other half supports Leeds.

You're lucky to be in such a nice part of the world (apart from the Dirty Leeds connection, of course!) - not too far from the coast and the North Yorkshire Moors - lucky you!

Hi Rosie, Welcome to the forum. It's great to have another female member. You'll find that we have quite a few members from the Hillfields area. I'm sure you'll enjoy the forum and find us all friendly. I look forward to reading your input.

We are about 8 miles from the sea,lovely beaches up this way.

Thanks for your welcome, loving the forum already.

Hi Tricia & other lady members.Hopefully one of you ladies who grew up in Hillfields can help my sister Connie, who is 71 today, & who like you, grew up in King Edward Road in the 40s & 50s. She is trying to trace the whereabouts of an old Schoolfriend named Christine Wilkinson, who used to go to Vine st. School in the 50s. My sister says she lived at 112 King Edward road. Christine's sister used to own the ladies Hairdressers' at this address. It was next door to Alldrick's Mens Hairdressers at one time. Does anyone know Christine or what became of her? Hopefully someone does.

Sorry Doug I'm unable to help. Most of the people who lived by us either went to Frederick Bird or like me St Mary's.

Hello Doug, Are you sure about the school in Vine St? as for the life of me I cannot remember one. I only know of Wheatley St, South Street and I think that the old St Peter church rooms on the corner of Canterbury St/Yardley St were at one time a school.

Hi Doug Sorry I didn't know your Sister or her friend. I attended Freddies School and we did go to what was called the Vine St Annex for Drama. Can't tell you more than that,best wishes Jan

Hi Mattesh, Tricia & Mayjan. Thanks for responding to this query from my sister. Yes, apparently it was Vine St. school. But remember it was in the 50s, so may have closed down later. My sister is now 71. She also associated with a Maureen Brown, who lived in one of the 2 semi/detached houses dead opposite the top end of King Edward Road, in Harnall Lane. They were newly built in either the late 50s or early sixties. I think her dad was a builder, & may have built them himself. Anyone know of her whereabouts or what became of her? Thanks again gang for your responses.

You opened a can of worms for me Doug because I could not remember a school in Vine St.. The only building I never knew the use of was towards the top end but Mayjan gave the clue. Found this snippet in the British Archives. Prob does not help but at least it answered one question.

I was reading a book lent to me and found this story. Weather its true or not, You can judge it. On the 25th October 1945, The landlady of the "Ring of Bells p.h 51.Yardley st ". Was found dead. Mrs Amy Davis was the sister of Alderman Fred Lee, and ran the pub alone due to her husband dying some years before. The previous night a lady from across the road noticed that the pub had shut about 10 pm and all seemed well, as she looked out the window before bed. The next morning a cleaner attempted to enter the pub but found all doors locked. As she had a key, she let herself in to find the body of Mrs Davis up stairs. The cause of death was a series of blows to the head. Cash and Jewellery were missing and appeared to be a robbery. The murder weapon, A hammer was found and turned out to belong to a sailer who came from Hillfields. In a statement to the police, He said the hammer had been missing for sometime. The out-come is that no one has been convicted for the murder, even after hundreds of statements were collected. The pub re-opened a few weeks later, but never did much good.The Ring of Bells P.H was demolished in 1970. Does anyone know of this story. And do you remember the pub ?.

Hello there. The Ring of Bells pub murder happened on the 25th October 1945. It was the following day that a cleaner found the body of Mrs. Amy Davis. All the pub doors and windows were locked, Therefore someone must have had keys, or stole Mrs Davis's set.I have not found any info regarding police reports. But i am sure that being over 60 years that it might become a public document.I can only say, " ask a policeman. "

Thanks scrutiny for your response. "Freddies" old boys can always be relied upon. Let's hear more from Freddies kids in other Countries please, especially our American, Canadian & Australian Cousins. As a footnote; I went to Liverpool at the weekend. It's my favourite City outside Coventry. I absolutely loved the place. Went to a fantastic pub called "The Beehive". Had the best Irish whiskey I've ever had called JOHN POWERS, but can't get it in Cov. Anyone know where I can get it? Also, are there any ex-Freddies kids or Coventry kids now living in Liverpool? if so, I just adore your City. You live in a fantastic, Historical City, & the people there are wonderful. Does anyone out there know where's the best place to stay in Liverpool (i.e. Hotels or Guest Houses)for a weekend? Cheers.

Premier Inn, Albert Dock, takes some beating YNWA