Radford

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Hi CKV 1D, I too have fond memories of Jubilee Crescent. Having grown up in nearby Grangemouth Road, Jubilee Crescent was the centre of the local community. As a kid, who could forget 'The Candy Shop' with its dedicated counter for little tots in the right-hand corner - all the penny sweets displayed behind it! We had branches of Woolworths, Fine Fare and Lloyds Bank - I believe the Coventry Building Society is still there, but in my day it was the Coventry Economic Building Society!! There used to be a ladies hairdressers, just along from the newsagents, named Jenny Lovegroves I believe? I remember my mum going there when all the stylists wore plum-coloured jump suits as shop uniforms (well, it was the 80's!!). Then there was the waste land, where Asda now stands, which was where a huge bonfire would be built every November 5th. Originally, it was Kwik Save that was built there - next to the off licence (now Boots I believe?) - and, at some point, Johnson Sectionals squeezed itself into the gap inbetween the pair of them! The army also used to visit on a regular basis, parking up tanks and other military vehicles on the central grass area of Jubilee Crescent - great fun as a kid, climbing all over those! Must have been some time ago though, 'cause I can remember the small Police Station next to the library and.... shock, horror.... I can actually remember going inside and seeing a policeman inside!! (handing in lost property I was guvnor!).

Hi OddSock. The Candy Shop was my weekend job in the early 60's when I was about 14. I loved the little ones coming in and standing by the rail to point out what they wanted. In the summer I was also allowed to make the ice cream cones when the machine was set up just outside the door. I got quite expert at weighing the sweets and twisting the corners! The only sweets I helped myself to were liquorice comfits, still love them, which was surprising as I really liked chocolate. Good old days

I remember when it was Halls

At one time I was the manager of Smith Bros, the electrical shop, though most of our trade was records and collecting TV rental money.

Hi Annewiggy, Here's a long shot, because I know Poole Road has more than a handful of houses along it, but back in 1951 I had ancestors living in Poole Road - John Warden at 106 Poole Road, and one of his daughters, Hilda May Garner (nee Warden), living at 114 Poole Road. I believe Hilda May Garner was one of the founding members of the 'Radford Senior Citizen Singers', which originated from the Radford Methodist Church and ended up performing at 1,500 concerts around the Coventry area before disbanding in 1976. Just wondering?

Hi Oddsock, we were only number 13 so the other side over Moseley Avenue. It was like 2 different streets so did not really know anyone from the top end although I think my daughter works with someone who lived there. Used to walk up that way every day though to go to school at Coundon Court.

My grandparents lived in Lincroft Crescent - one lot - the others lived in Oldfield Road.

Hi Annewiggy, Thanks for your reply, it was worth asking. I just wondered if you'd come across them, or even heard dear Hilda warbling away? Luckily you had some distance between you maybe? OddSock

What number in Lincroft Cres. Roger? We lived at no.75 on the corner for 12yrs till 1974.

I have just had a quick look at the Coventry digital web site and searched for Radford. Most of the pictures on there I have seen before but there is one very nice one I haven't showing the old Victorian Radford School, the houses opposite and the Grapes beyond. Don't think we can share the pictures but it is worth a look.

I saw saw this post, Oddsock. Hilda was my grandma but I don't remember ever hearing her sing.

Hi Dreamer58, I also wrote: "I believe Hilda May Garner was one of the founding members of the 'Radford Senior Citizen Singers', which originated from the Radford Methodist Church and ended up performing at 1,500 concerts around the Coventry area before disbanding in 1976." But you already knew this because we've discussed it privately?

Oddsock, yes I knew she sang with the Radford Singers. I was merely lamenting that I never had the opportunity to hear her sing although she did take me to Villa Road church a few times when I was 7 or 8 so I'm sure she sang along with the hymns!