Spon End

Well, would you believe it, I have zoomed it up 3 times and it is amazing what you find, right under your nose. Thank you Dutchman.

Just found a reference in a very old Coventry book to the "Four Pounds" gift. This was reference to land etc. purchased from Henry VIII with the help of money from Sir Thomas White, to relieve and prefer the commonwealth of the City of Coventry "then in great ruin and decay" . After the decease if Sir Thomas White the rents etc. of the land was to be distributed on 10th March in free alms to 12 men at originally £2 each which was then increased to £4, also free loans were issued to 4 young men of good name and thrift. The book (dated 1869) says "here is the origin of the "four pounds" gift. The book also refers to walking the bounds of St Michaels parish and they pass "Four pound Fields". The loans were to be given to freemen of the city, wonder if you can still get one ! On another subject Neilsyard the book also mentions that for the year 1862 Mr Yardley paid £19 10s rent to the Free Grammar School for a public house called the Turk's Head.

My dad worked at Renold Chains during WWII before he went into the army. He also ended up working at the Alvis as a toolmaker helping build Scorpion tanks. I remember on Friday nights he used to go to the British Legion club to play darts, I think that was near the arches, I certainly remember the dark alley from Spon St.

Hello Highfield Is it possible you've mixed-up two separate memories? Renold's had its own social club down by the arches where you describe. This was off Spon End rather than Spon Street. I'm not aware of any connection between that club and the British Legion? But there was also a British Legion Club in Spon Street, next to the ring road.

Hmmm, maybe I have, it's probably the Renold Chain's club then because that's where he went. I did go with him a couple of times but that was a long time ago. He was a dart player and maybe they played the British Legion Club one night and the memory stuck. Thanks for that

Hello all. Does anyone from the 1940's to the 1960's time period remember any chip shops in the Spon End arches area? Apparently, according to my mother, a relative had a chip shop near the arches. The chip shop owners were the Russells I think. They were supposed to be quite near the actual bridge arch. Thanks.

The closest was No.49 Spon End (south side, west of the arches) run by Crook in the 40s and 50s and by Davidson in the 1960s. It was famous for serving workers at the nearby Reynold Chain factory. It's now the Snappy Tomato Pizza. Another chip shop at 105 (north side, east of the arches) was bombed during the war and rebuilt as the Casino Snack bar in the 1950s.

I have family ties with both addresses Mentioned elsewhere on the forum, my 2x great grandfather William Lines (1816-82) was living at 105 Spon End at the time of the 1861 Census and the 1878/79 Burgess Roll - and I have strong beliefs that his father William's shop was at the same address in the 1820s, when the Edward Duckfat Bradshaw incident, in which, almost certainly, one of the Williams was involved, occurred Another of my 2x great grandfathers, William Williamson (1828-1896), was resident at 49 Spon End in the 1861 Census - indeed my great grandfather, also William Williamson, was born at that address in 1859

I've split this from Covjb's long post in the Spon Street memories thread: From left to right: 109: Mrs Stanworth, Ladies Hair Stylist (partly obscured) 110: The Cruet cafe 111: Connop (Grocer) 112: Ward & Halbert (Estate Agents) 113: Sheffield (Confectioner, Newsagent) 114: Lindon (Baby Linen & Fancy Goods) 115: Cole (Draper) 116: Cole (Draper)

Didn't the two right-most shops become an antiques place?

Yes, and remained one until quite recently.

Thanks for that Dutchman, I have often wondered about the Draper's and baby linen shop. A regular shop for me when I lived at the Broomfield in 1960 - 61 The only thing is I only remember the one shop for wool, very cramped inside but a lovely lady to assist. Looking at those little shops now brings it all back and all the knitting I did.

Hi, wondered if you have any recollections/record of an old friend of mine Pam Ladejobi who ran an African crafts shop in the late 70s early 80s in Spon End in or around the area you have photographed?

Has anyone come across a photo of the river bridge from the north side? I've got some looking north and another set looking at the south side.