What happened on THIS day in Coventry's history?

Telegraph photos taken on 9th July

9th Jul 1623 St. Michael's church is struck by lightning during a service, just at the moment that the preacher proclaimed: 'Be sober and watch, for the end of all things is at hand', to the astonishment of the congregation! 9th Jul 1921 War Memorial Park, an area of 122 acres, officially opened. Yes, 96 years old today - I hope someone at the Godiva Festival is aware of this! Talking of which, it was fantastic to be a part of the record breaking 36,000 crowd on Friday night to see Cast and The Stranglers, who were both absolutely amazing. It's great to see bona fide bands like these coming to Coventry, and I was still a bit hoarse yesterday morning from singing along to all The Stranglers' hits the night before!

Telegraph photos taken on 10th July

On 10th July 1920 a war memorial to the 45 employees of the Coventry Chain Co. who fell in the Great War was unveiled on Hearsall Common at Earlsdon Avenue North. The memorial was originally a horse trough and fountain, but the trough and wrought iron sides of the fountain disappeared. The wrought iron column was re-erected outside the Koco building in Spon End. The original plaque to the memorial was re-dedicated in 1999, having been found in a Lancashire market. War memorial photo.

Telegraph photos taken on 11th July

11th Jul 1852 A fire took place at the Coventry Luggage Station of the London and North Western Railway, consuming its entire contents and roof, and leaving nothing but the bare outer walls standing. 11th Jul 1981 Ghost Town is a number one hit for Coventry band, The Specials. I wonder if they'll do Godiva next year? (The festival I mean. )

On 11th July 1949, Coventry Bees suffered a humiliating defeat when they travelled to Green Lanes and were beaten 67-17 by Walthamstow in a National League Division 2 match. Bees took the opening heat 4-2, with a win for Crusty Pye, but the home side then reeled off 13 consecutive 5-1s in the remaining heats. Walthamstow: Dick Geary (c) 10+1, Benny King 7+2, Jim Boyd 8+4, Harry Edwards 12, Reg Reeves 9+3, Charlie May 11+1, Arch Windmill 4+2, Bill Osborne 6 Coventry: Bob Fletcher (c) 2, Crusty Pye 5, Lionel Levy 1, John Yates 3, Jack Gordon 4, Bert Lacey 0, Les Hewitt 1, Jack D White 1 _____________________________________________________________________ On 11th July 1990, Coventry Bees travelled to Cowley Stadium to take on Oxford in a Sunbrite British League A fixture. Bees were good value for a 48-42 victory, giving them a bonus point for an aggregate win, despite having lost the home leg 43-46 on 28th April. Oxford: Hans Nielsen (c) 11+1, Dean Barker 5+1, Martin Dugard 8, Simon Wigg 11+1, Alistair Stevens 1+1, John Bostin 2, Troy Butler 4+1 Coventry: Kelvin Tatum (c) 11, Andy Hackett 0, John Jorgensen 3+2, Rick Miller 4+2, Sean Wilson 13, Andy Phillips 2, Roman Matousek 15+1 _____________________________________________________________________ On 11th July 2016, Kings Lynn visited Rugby Road and scored a 47-46 victory over Bees in a Sky Sports Elite League fixture. The home team suffered from the reserves scoring only 5 points whilst the visitors' nos. 6 and 7 totalled 17. Coventry: Krzystof Kasprzak 13+1, Ben Barker 6+1, Danny King 6+1, Josh Bates 6, Chris Harris (c) 10+1, Kacper Woryna 4, James Sarjeant 1 Kings Lynn: Niels-Kristian Iversen (c) 12, Kyle Howarth 5+2, Rory Schlein 4, Troy Batchelor 9+1, Robert Lambert R/R, Nikolaj B Jakobsen 10+1, Lewis Rose 7+1

12th Jul 1983 Princess Anne visited Sidney Stringer school to officially name a canal boat, the name of which was chosen by 12 year old pupil Kalbiner Singh in a competition. The boat was to be operated by a trust providing holidays for the disabled.

Telegraph photos taken on 12th July

I dug that pool out at the Novotel, never got paid for it as the builder went bust.

Telegraph photos taken on 13th July

On 13th July 1968, Coventry Stadium staged an International Meeting as part of the (ill-fated**) FIM World Speedway League, when Great Britain entertained Poland. Captained by Bees' skipper Nigel Boocock, GB defeated the Poles 40-38 over the 13 heat formula. Star of the night was Pawel Waloszek, who rode for Leicester in 1961 - he finished with 14 points from five rides, beaten only by Boocock in their first outing. Great Britain Ivan Mauger 4+1, Martin Ashby 7, Nigel Boocock (c) 9, Ken McKinlay 3+1, Terry Betts 6+1, Norman Hunter 6+2, Ray Wilson 5+1 Poland Antonin Woryna (c) 8, Edward Jancarz 0, Pawel Waloszek 14, Henryk Glucklich 6+2, Jerzy Padewski 6, Jerzy Trzeszkowski 1, Zbigniew Podlecki 3 It cost 8/6d (42

14th Jul 1914 Notices were served to all servicemen on leave in Coventry to return to their barracks the following morning, in readiness for the Great War.

Telegraph photos taken on 14th July

Telegraph photos taken on 15th July