Stoke Heath School

Hello from a winter's day in Adelaide, Australia I have tried to find info. on this suburb, have spent hours on computer looking at lots of sites, but not had much luck, lived there from 1949 till 1955, and went to Stoke Heath school, what I would like to know is: 1. when were the houses in Meadway, Hillside built. 2. for whom were they built. 3. why were they called 'notorious' (do realise that it was a poorer suburb) 4. where can I find info. about the old Stoke Heath school. On my last trip to the UK in 2009 took a drive around the area to find that half the houses in Meadway had been pulled down, new ones being built, the other half boarded up, also the old school had gone. The computer site for new school said that the old one was Victorian, so must have been built in the late 1800's. Hope there is someone out in 'puter' land who has some information. From someone who would live in Coventry if she could

Hi there, I was born at 24 Heath Crescent in 1934, which was my Grandmothers house. She had moved into that house when it was new so that would have been prior to 1920 as Stoke Heath was, I believe, developed between 1900-1920.The school was built in 1898. Meadway was a mixture of people and as a child I was warned not to go there but I actually had friends in that area and they were no different to any of my other friends. this was when I lived in Hartland Avenue, which my mother was always at great pains to point out, was Wyken, NOT Stoke Heath. Alan

Hi, I worked for the Cov Council for many years and went to most, if not all, of the council estates in Cov. I too had friends who lived near to Meadway, they also were nice people but every area has its problems. Every area except Allesley Park ( which was the councils pride and joy) had its share of problems but Meadway and nearby had more than its fair share. Would not dare say anymore but most estates had there no-go area unless you were known there. . Looking on the bright side, i was told if you drove a car into one end of "The Chantries" it didnt come out of the other end glad to say i proved it wrong!!!

Hi,Would be. Wish I was in Australia. Can't tell you when Meadway was built, but it always used to be rough in my opinion. I used to have a football pools round there in the 70s & I used to go round very cautiosly.Got my suit ripped by a dog.Was invited in to a house in Valley road by a woman half dressed.( Not to discuss the pools.)When a police car went by one day, everyone who was in their front gardens, or talking to a neighbour, shot off into their homes as if their backsides were on fire.I remember when an insurance saleslady was robbed. The next week I took some(shall we say,protection.) I was pelted with stones once by a gang of kids. I got in my car.,Drove at them,jumped out & punched the ringleader off his feet. They didn't do that again. One lady in Valley rd had a pet monkey that ran around the house. And Believe this or not. A friend of mine called at one house in Meadway,was talking to the owner at the front door,when down the stairs came a pony. They kept it in a bedroom. But as you said, It's all gone now. It looks a lot better. Has Adelaide any "rough" areas?

Hi Does anyone have a photo of the old Victorian School frontage and the dining hall? I was there from 1963 to 1971 and my mum used to cook dinners in the kitchens. The school was the living heart of Stoke Heath in those days and dominated the whole area. I have hunted the internet to no avail for pictures. I was gutted to find it had been demolished - so many happy memories that it feels like a piece of me was knocked down too, so I would love an old photo. Any help appreciated. Thanks Bof

I didn`t realise you were still around, Bof, so didn`t reply. I went to Stoke Heath infant and junior schools and have a small piece of video somewhere of the schools surrounded by fencing waiting for demolition.It may take me a while, but I will have a look for it and try to get a still off it for you.

Great - thanks Greg.

Sad news, I`m afraid, Bof. Went to download the video from an 8 mm cassette and the tape jammed.Some other newer tapes I have work OK so it looks like I`ve lost the pictures of the school and two other local old buildings which have now gone. I`m gutted!! So many old buildings seem to be being pulled down and, as they are part of our heritage, they should at least be photographed for posterity. I don`t think it`s just Coventry where this is happening and perhaps nobody cares about local history any more.

You can find a photo of Stoke Heath Primary School main entrance in the sixties on the school's website in history. Hope this helps. I went there in 1971, infants and juniors, they were great days. I also was sad to see it knocked down.

Many thanks, Biggles. I went there from about 1947 to 1953 and have many happy memories. Was interested to hear about the smelly toilets (not much changed there then) and had forgotten that Mr. Chadbourne was headmaster.

Hi all, I have just come across this site whilst looking for information about schools in Coventry. I went to Stoke Heath also from 1965 to 1972 and now work in Coventry in the Fire Service. I hadn't been back to Stoke Heath since leaving until I'd read that the new school had been built and the old school was to be knocked down. I returned to visit the place and the main front large double doors was open. I entered and had a brief look around, the place was deserted however whilst in the junior school side I entered the old 'glass sided' library on the first floor and met the old caretaker Albert Ayres. We hadn't met for over 20 years, however when he looked up he recognised me instantly (spooky). we had a chat for a while then I left. I promised myself to return and take some photos for old times sake but never did. A few months later I attended a fire in the school which at this time was classed as derelict and it broke my heart to see parts of the building, of which I have very fond memories, so run down. A day or two later I returned with a camera and took some photos of the school before demolition. If anyone is interested I will try and dig these photos out and post them on this site.

Hello BO6, & welcome to our site. There are already some posts about Stoke Heath school that you may enjoy reading.

Meadway was a 'no-go zone' when I lived in Stoke Heath in the early '70s. I lived in Ox Close, and steered well clear of Meadway. Hillside wasn't as bad, but living where I was, you 'knew' your boundries as kids! I have very fond memories of Stoke Heath school as well. Very sad to see that its gone.

When my eldest daughter was looking to be "grown up" and live with her boyfriend they went to look at a house in Meadway. When I found out I expressed my concern (polite way of putting it) and strongly suggested they look elsewhere. When discussing areas like Meadway many people had said to us that as you were taking your furniture in the front door someone else would be taking it out the back door. They eventually went to live in a flat in Camp Hill, Nuneaton which also had a less than desirable reputation however I need not have worried as all was good. Generally, it has to be said, whichever area you go to some people cause problems but most people don't.