Stoke Green

Does anyone have any information on the Blacksmith's near Stoke Green or the Flowers family? ie Frederick... thank you

It will be great if we can find out something about Frederick Flowers the Stoke Blacksmith, or even any memories about where the Smithy once stood - which is now the 'Empress Buildings' row of shops. To help anyone along, here's a small map from 1889 showing the Smithy just across the road from the Bull's Head pub - and below that is a very rural looking view of Binley Road, looking towards town, with the pub on the left. The old stocks would've been just to the left of the photographer. (I wouldn't mind seeing those put to good use again, but that's another topic!)

I recently had an hour to kill while my car was MOT`d and took these pictures in an historic Coventry road. When it has been identified, I have four more pictures and a couple of questions to ask. Post copied from topic Photo poser 6 on 4th Aug 2019 5:56 pm

Thanks Greg I guessed rather than knew the answer pretty quick but in checking my answer I learned a lot about that area I didn't previously know. Post copied from topic Photo poser 6 on 4th Aug 2019 5:56 pm

Ah yes, not far from me that lot. That poor old clock has had that tyre and wheel rim "hoopla'd" over it for years now - it really is about time they removed the ugly metal surrounding fence and did something nice with it, it's the least that pleasant area deserves. I'll leave the guessing to someone else though.... Post copied from topic Photo poser 6 on 4th Aug 2019 5:57 pm

Yes, both Rob and I have covered this area with our photos past and present The bicycle tyre has become something of a landmark ! But it's really time for it to go and the whole site tidied Post copied from topic Photo poser 6 on 4th Aug 2019 5:58 pm

Thank you all for your comments. The second part of my query regards the tree in picture 7 and two missing plaques. The tree looks as though it is in the garden of the house, on Binley Road, near to the junction with Marlborough Road but is surrounded by high railings and used to have a mounted plaque at its base detailing its legend. I think it may be tied up with Coombe Abbey but I wondered if any of you can remember the story/legend of this historic tree? Also, picture 8 shows the low wall which runs at the back of the green between South Avenue and Paynes Lane. There used to be a plaque on this wall (probably stolen for scrap at some time) which gave the history of horse racing which apparrently took place there, a long time ago. Does anyone have any info on this plaque or its contents? I share your views about the monument, MR. Like so many of the small things in the city which are a real part of our heritage and should be preserved, nobody seems to care. So sad!! Post copied from topic Photo poser 6 on 4th Aug 2019 5:59 pm

Do you mean Brays Lane rather than Paynes Lane? Post copied from topic Photo poser 6 on 4th Aug 2019 6:00 pm

Sorry, yes it is Brays Lane. Post copied from topic Photo poser 6 on 4th Aug 2019 6:01 pm

I took this photograph this morning, and something seems to be missing

Aha.... well spotted Cliff! I noticed that as we drove past yesterday evening. NEWSFLASH: First the good news.... the tyre and rim have been removed from the Stoke Green clock. Now the bad news.... the clock itself has gone too!!!!! But, a nice thought has crossed my mind (and quickly reached the other side, it's not very far!).... maybe someone from the council read this forum, saw our lamenting of the lack of care received by that old clock, and decided it was time to remove it for restoration? We can dream, can't we!

If only you'd known who to ask..... The clock has never been owned by the council and was paid for by local residents in the late 20's/early 30's. The clock hasn't worked for over 10 years, and the council got a quote to have it repaired about 6 years ago which was for around £64,000!! This was way too expensive, so it was left. In recent years it fell into disrepair so the council put a fence round it. More recently the council has been speaking to the local residents to ask what they wanted to do with the clock and if they were able to pay for the repairs (!) The residents have said that they would like to have a play area where the clock is. It is currently in storage until the residents association (along with the councils conservation officer) have decided what they want to do with it. So, if anyone has a spare £100,000 I'll pass your name on..... Now, next question!....

That's OK, but it begs the question . . . . . What has happened to the bicycle tyre ?

I'll try and find out..... but don't hold your breath!

As Rob was there on Friday, and I wasn't there till Saturday, at the moment, the finger of suspicion points at our leader