Canley Ford - the "Milk Bar"

There was always a queue on a Sunday afternoon, such was its popularity. I don't suppose real ice cream exists anymore. I expect the kids all have to have virtual ice cream. Safer. And the cost saving, and lack of pollution - mummy or daddy doesn't have to drive them there in the Chelsea tractor/combat vehicle. I suspect tinkers half-inched the sign for the tat.

Disappointed, Slim, that you have used outdated and potentially offensive language to describe, and help perpetuate negative stereotypes about, two different groups of people. Remember that this site is used for educational purposes, and in the past several different threads have turned nasty because of people not being nice to others.

Just to the right of the Milk Bar in this picture, there was a gate that led to Hearsall Golf Course. We used to use this gate when it had been snowing, to go on the golf course slopes on mum's tea tray

The Milk Bar is gone of course Mick but the gate is still there (or one that does the same job!) The footpath goes across the course and ends up in Bates Road

Hi Neil, is that a public footpath? Cannot remember it being one as a youngster.

I used this path regularly from Earlsdon to walk to the Milk Bar and on to the ford, a regular gathering place for a few of us on the weekend. The path was open to the public and the only thing you had to look out for was the odd wayward golf ball. I seem to remember the Milk Bar room having an old pianola in it that was falling apart near the end of its life and introduced me to the inner workings of the instrument!

Sure is, Mick

It hasn't changed much, I took these a few weeks ago.

A photograph I took of Canley Ford in the winter of 1970 or near this time. I'd be interested what it looks like over 50 years on, if anyone has a recent photo of the ford!

I love this. Thank you.

Ditto Philip. Some good stuff from Coventry Digital. 1910 by JJ Ward. I believe that this might be back to front.

Although growing up in Allesley Park during the 60's and 70's, my grandparents lived in the Green Lane area and we occasionally visited the Milk Bar, run at that time by Mrs Stokes (Grace). I was also a member at Hearsall and the lane ran alongside the 3rd hole, past the Milk Bar and then virtually bisected the course and into Bates Road. Very often you would see members of the public waiting by the fence and watching the golfers tee off.

Cooper Collection - nicely ties-in with the JJ Ward image Helen added earlier -

Nice find Neil. Would I be right in thinking this will also be circa 1910? It looks like it pre-dates the A45 Fletchamstead Highway, and likewise the Cannon Hill estate. Post edit, I hadn't seen the Baginton Hall post when typing the above, which confirms pre-A45.