What happened on THIS day in Coventry's history?

On 17th Jun 2017 5:57pm, Roger Turner said: Did the acorns ever grow?

On 17th Jun 2017 8:59pm, Wearethemods said: Hi Roger, if I remember correctly they were subsequently dug up by a 'fan', and were replaced by 2 others sent again by John & Yoko watched over for some time by a security guard. The line in the Beatles song 'The Ballad of John and Yoko' refers to "50 acorns tied in a sack" which apparently they planted as 'Peace Tokens' in various locations globally. Incidentally, the circular seat they also presented which was placed outside the Old Cathedral was removed apparently later and when some years ago we visited the city and asked in the bookshop where it was, we were told, and found it nearby on its side in a corner. I believe it is now in the Coventry Music Museum (part of the 'Two-Tone Village') situated in Ball Hill.

On 18th Jun 2017 12:04am, Roger Turner said: Fantastic. Was that an early version of "virtue profiling"?

On 18th Jun 2017 9:11am, Norman Conquest said: Good day to all. I am unable to bring to mind any sprouting oaks thereabouts.

On 18th Jun 2017 9:35am, Rob Orland said: Many thanks for the extra information about John & Yoko's acorns, I didn't know very much about those before.

On 18th Jun 2017 10:27am, Kaga simpson said: Norman, I believe the acorns were planted upside down, came up in Supreme Court gardens in Perth, WA

On 18th Jun 2017 11:22am, Wearethemods said: Morning Norman, all. I don't think so, as I guess there would be some homage to it. Apparently the acorns and white circular seat* were placed in Unity Gardens 1968 next to the 'New' Cathedral, but shortly after were both moved to 'Old' Cathedral Gardens. Staff in the bookshop say that the tree lived for 25 years and then died. Others say that the second two acorns were stolen. Some 37 years later, Yoko Ono returned to Coventry on October 14th 2005 and dedicated (by untying a silk rope wrapped round them) two already planted Japanese Oak Tree saplings in the Cathedral Gardens which I assume are both still there. At the ceremony, children from Southfields Primary School sang "Come on All Children" and two youngsters read out the words from John's song "Grow Old With Me". Yoko then handed out acorns to the children present. Also, apparently after the event, oak trees were distributed to every school in Coventry! * The seat was brought to the city in a trailer towed by Lennon himself in his white Rolls-Royce.

On 18th Jun 2017 11:49am, Wearethemods said: Interestingly, 37 Days after John & Yoko's visit, on 22nd July 1968, Paul McCartney was caught speeding in his Aston Martin DB5 on the Fletchamstead Highway and his tax disc was 4 Months out of date! His case was adjourned 4 times and he was eventually fined £15 with an endorsement, and ordered to pay £6.6s.8d. back duty!

On 20th Jun 2017 11:48am, Wearethemods said: Most, with exception of some churches/cathedrals/cemeteries etc. My grandparents' house in Kirby Road, Earlsdon, (which they had purchased new in the early part of the century) lost its railings and gate for the war effort.

On 20th Jun 2017 9:24pm, Garlands Joke Shop said: The Cheylesmore pub also had its railings cut down and removed resulting in an short knee-high wall (see Coventry Telegraph photograph of the pub). I do wonder how useful this material actually was and how much of the scrap metal collection campaign was to raise morale (to make people feel they were doing their bit, etc.). Similarly I can recall listening to an interview with a British anti-aircraft gun operator who said that the anti-aircraft guns were largely ineffective against the Luftwaffe (especially at night) and were primarily used to bolster the morale of scared civilians (who could hear the British guns firing back).

On 21st Jun 2017 7:27am, Rob Orland said: From what I've read Luke, that last part about the A-A guns is certainly true - and never more so than on the 14th November here in Coventry.

On 21st Jun 2017 9:53am, Kaga simpson said: My sister was on an ack-ack gun sight in Raynes Park, London, during the raids - she told me they had less than 15 seconds to fire once they had an aircraft in their sights, and that was seldom. This was confirmed to me when I read the book by Churchill's youngest daughter who also was an ack-ack gunner. But they did keep the planes high, for I was told by many bomb crews, like a couple of my cousins, that the flak from the guns was an awesome, frightening thing to fly through. As for the scrap metal, they had to use those damn-like flame guns to get some of the railings, I don't think it bolstered anyone's hopes, more of an indifference and interference than anything, at large expense. There was a large boat full of English scrap metal on its way to Germany the morning we declared war.

On 21st Jun 2017 10:29am, Wearethemods said: Talking of the railings, I have been on a tour of the 'lost streets of 'Mary King's Close' in Edinburgh's old town. These are deep underground where houses exist and streets etc. from 400 years ago. A lot of the tunnels are full of the railings cut down from buildings and properties in Edinburgh, never melted down or used during the war. The guide told us that these railings have been down there since removal, and it was, as Garland states above, merely to help public morale. Railings in all towns and cities that surrounded cellar steps and suchlike were never removed for obvious reasons and can therefore be seen today as they were pre-World War 2. Mod note. Thank you for your post here. Whilst there is a geographical distance, your content is adding colour to the article which adds value to the whole thread. Thank you. Much appreciated, your courtesy also. That makes our forum. Brill!

On 22nd Jun 2017 7:59pm, Annewiggy said: Going back to railings, this article from the Midland Daily Telegraph, 25th October 1941