'Happy'

I most certainly remember 'Happy' or as I knew him 'Happy Sunshine Sunbeam'. He used to run errands for people. My father had the Greengrocers on Warwick Row and I remember him coming in with a little tin with a note in and money. Harmless, I wonder how he would fare in today's world.

I might be wrong but I have a niggling memory as a young child was there a shop opposite the Swanswell Pool, where the back of the bus depot is now, painted red which sold strange things? Medals stick in my mind and outside the shop either a man in uniform and white gloves or a dummy wearing the same, it`s a vague memory but could this have been Happy

I remember that place, corner of White St. and Cox St., I think. Was it also called Exchange & Mart, or something similar? I used to love going in there when I was young and rummaging through the old medals, coins, antique weapons, shell casings, etc.There was, of course furniture, china, etc. and all of it would today, I imagine, be very collectable and expensive. I think the owner always wore an old uniform, of some sort, and could easily have passed as Happy's brother. I wish places like that still existed!

Thanks pallmall, since I`ve used this site reading the posts memories come flooding back, some sketchy but some very clear. I vaguely remember it had the nickname Happy Harry`s, might have just been a micky take though. Thanks for the memory as they say

I recall Happy only in his sandwich-board days around Broadgate and the Precinct. His cry then was: "One in the front, one in the back - is everybody happy?" (I have seen the photograph of Happy, know that this was our man, and recall his cry with crystal clarity. At that time (1960s) I recall no traffic-directing or such, but I do recall the smiles that Happy's appearance always triggered in all of us, and nowt wrong wi' that!

Yes I remember Happy. He had very rosy cheeks and wore some sort of uniform, or else a dark gaberdine mac, and always had on a pair of white gloves. Oh, and a smile on his face all the while. Can't remember if he was advertising something or why he was wandering around the city centre, but I was only a small girl at the time. Must have been late 50s or early 60s I would think.

Yes I too remember Happy and have already contributed to this thread on another Forum, that seemed to have an administrator called Dutchman Can anybody tell me the name of it please? I had also posted a question there about W.H.Jones (Builders - Holbrook Lane - latterly Costains Midland Depot) Looking for former members of the Surveyors Dept I would be very grateful for any help on this subject too.

Coventry Message Board

I remember Happy, he used to walk around the indoor market in town with his great coat and white gloves announcing to anyone "I'm Happy", he was a lovely gentle guy with a wonderful smile.

I remember Happy. He was a well known to many, including the police. Allegedly, he would march into the middle of a main road in Coventry, in his uniform and white gloves, then starting directing the traffic with hand signals, causing mayhem! The police would simply move him on. He was considered harmless. On one occasion, however, he was resting on the road name sign at the junction of Harnall Lane and Foleshill Road. The lights were on red, and my passenger's window was down. Happy started waving his stick somewhat aggressively at my passenger, then shouted out racist comments at the young gentleman in my passenger seat (words not printable here!). My passenger simply smiled, the lights changed and I drove off.

Not "Happy" but who remembers the man with a limp who came round the offices selling pens. He used to get everywhere.

I always remember him for his white gloves, and stories of him causing chaos attempting to direct the traffic in Broadgate. I remember the sandwich boards in Coventry advertising Benleys, which certainly was a cheap-jack shop. They once advertised in the CET "Rubber gloves only 1d per pair". I wonder what the quality was like! I daresay it was a loss leader to get people into the store.

I was in the City of Coventry police and when the traffic built up outside we would look out of the windows and say that it will soon clear because Happy was on point duty. He would stand in the middle of the junction with his white gloves and direct the traffic. Brilliant