Coventry builders

While searching for information about the late Alf Youell [see separate thread and Famous Coventrians list] I came across this article from 2001, relating to the history of Hall Bros and making mention of E K Youell & Son - two of Coventry's leading firms of house-builders in the 20th century I have grown to know both Alf Youell and Bob Hall (Jnr) over recent years through work, and I also have very fond memories of William Hall (Billy Hall) who is mentioned in the article Billy was in the 60s and 70s a keen member of Hearsall Golf Club and had his "own" chair in the corner of the snooker room which he occupied every night almost without fail - but his main sporting claim to fame was as a rugger player (a product of South Street School) who "defected" north to Rugby League, and I believe became ostracised by Union I wonder if any "senior" forumites have any further memories of Billy Hall, and of the Hall and Youell families?

Hi all. I never knew them as individuals, but I knew contractors who worked in association with them. From the hot link the two comments that I like are: 1. Mr Hall said: "I can still remember the first four houses I built on Sowe Common in Wyken nearly 70 years ago. I must have done a good job because my son Robert is Robert I, Duke of Normandy. Robert I (Robert the Magnificent), d.1035, Duke of Normandy (1027-35); father of William the Conqueror. He is often identified with the legendary Robert the Devil. Now selling to the third generation of people to buy our homes!" 2. Mr Youell, who is the "son" in Coventry firm EK Youell and Son, said: "Bob showed me how to lay bricks when we were both apprentices. Although I prefer to think of it as laying 'artistically burned clay'. Both before and after the war, the rival firms built thousands of homes in the Walsgrave area. At one stage their workforces both had cricket teams which competed against each other throughout the season. Thank you, I like it.

I lived opposite Annie Osborne school in Wyken Croft in the early 90's. I was in the process of building an extension to my house and Halls were building a retirement complex off Gresley Road behind my house. I needed some bricks for my footings and thought I might buy some from the building site. I went round and spoke to Mr Hall (senior). He said leave it with me and then sent his digger driver round with a pack (about 400) of bricks for nothing. He certainly knew how to keep in with the neighbours. Nice guy!!

Mr Youell's obituary has been published in the Coventry Telegraph today LINK

A memorial service for Mr Youell will be held today (Wednesday 11 July 2012) at Coventry Cathedral at 2.00pm

From the British Newspaper site in 1902 there was a deed if arrangement between Joseph Liggins and Thomas William Liggins of Queen Victoria Road and trading at Conduit Yard, Fleet Street, to trade as Liggins and Son Builders.

Hello, this is really great news. So I've had the picture all along, just didn't know it was of Conduit Yard I'm sure Herbert Chapman (my great grandfather) moved there after 1912, so Mr Liggins would have been in there for a few years. I'm sure the two of them would have known each other, and maybe Herbert bought the building from Mr Liggins around that time? Still I wonder what building is reflecting in the window? Thanks for all the hard work

Are we sure the church is not St John's? I worked at Beryl Houghton Photography when it was in Queen Victoria Road and there was a slope running down to the church. I've been trying to remember the number the photo shop was at, it was about 2/3rd of the way down. There was a definite slope as I walked up and down everyday to catch the no.13 (Broad Lane) or 8a (Tile Hill North) bus from outside the Co-op in Corporation Street.

This is a photo of Mr Robert Hall being presented with a plaque, by some of his workforce, at a local event celebrating the company's 80 years in business. The plaque reads: CONGRATULATIONS TO HALL BROS. ON 80 YEARS IN BUSINESS 1933 - 2013 FROM ALL THE WORKERS What a magnificent achievement!

There was a firm of builders called "Allsmiths" they built houses in Belgrave Road, Wyken. I have no idea how many but one of them was my father's house, where I spend most of my youth-hood. Any joy?? Regards to all Berjay

I remember as a kid, helping a gardener in Station Avenue, Tile Hill village. He tended the gardens of a builder by the name, I think, of G.J. Tommy & Son. Lived in the house on the right just before Duggins Lane. I think he had a small yard just before the level crossing that was. Does anybody remember, or used him, in the village??

The 1922 Telephone Directory lists J G Tommy & Sons, Builders and Contractors, Tile Hill Still listed similarly in 1970! Seems he was Jonathan George Tommy, born c1862 in Wem, Shropshire (where his father was a master builder), died 1919 when his residence was Oakhurst, Burton Green

Allsmith Ltd appear in the 1936 Telephone Directory at 31 Bayley Lane, until 1940 From 1948 to 1963 they are listed at Red Lane

Could this be the origin of Alfall Road?

Could well be! Better ask Robert.