Coventry Pubs

A pub that holds many memories for me was the Dolphin in Canley. From a youngster when it was a green painted wooden hut ran by the Benn family. We played football on Prior Deram Walk fields and then Brian Benn would get us a drink. Then many years later when it was developed, I played Sunday League football for them. Roger Murray was landlord, Jim Cotterill was team manager, and Frank who always brought his dog along. Some of the team I remember were Albert Bryan (in goal) and Lenny Gibbs. Always back to the lounge after the game. Good times.

Mick, you maybe have seen this already, but…

Thank you, Midland Red. Yes, The Convoy. Sad to say when I read the name I did not say “yes of course it is” - it must be an age thing. I cannot say it was my local even though I lived just around the corner, as the brighter lights of the city centre was a bigger draw. I do remember one night in there with some mates trying to figure out a route from Broadgate to Kenilworth without passing a pub. Why we should want to do this I don't remember but it was a difficult puzzle in those happy days.

Does anyone remember Mr/Mrs Deakin or Mr/Mrs Nettleship from the Royal Oak on London Road? My grandmother worked there (Doreen Watson, nee Gabriel) between 1962-1981 but I am trying to find out a more accurate timeframe. I believe she started towards the end of the Deakin's time as landlords and the Nettleships kept her on and treated her like family until she left to care for her mother. A photo of my grandmother working in the Royal Oak.

Hi Meg and welcome to the forum. Don't remember your grandmother but we've talked about the Oak before on here. It was formerly a children's home called Plemont Villa, IIRC.

Hi Meg, welcome to the forum Here's a link to some information about the Royal Oak.

George IV, Fleet St. I remember it well!

Could also be added to the pubs’ thread but Dean Nelson has just added this one on FB, not seen before, of the Fox & Vivian at no.48. Probably in its last days. Anyone know when it actually went? Post copied from topic Gosford Street on 17th Nov 2022 11:52 am

Hi Neil, looking at the cars in the picture, I would put the picture around 65/66?

Hi, Neil. About 1971. A compulsory purchase order was raised in 1970 but it was mentioned in the CET again in 1971. Another article in December 1972 says “now demolished”.

Brill, Thanks, Anne.

Am I imagining this, was/is there a pub in Coventry that had a very old tree growing through it... as in the inside? Gotta feeling it was near the cathedral.

Sorry, nothing springs to mind but I don't know the modern city at all well. There were a few with various trees in their name but none I can think of were built around the real thing.

I reckon I must have dreamt it The more I think about it the more I realise I must have taken a knock to the head 🤦