"Burglar Bill" and other old tales of Radford

Methinks you have a little gremlin on your shoulder Rkid, time you got rid of him (note they are always 'him's') It's a wonder your nose doesn't grow like Pinnochio's !!

Hi there, I am currently trying to trace my family tree, I have an address of 34 Fynford Road, this address was given on my mothers marraige certificate in 1945, the persons I am interested in is the Barnett family. Father's name Sidney John Barnett, who had a daughter Beatrice Lilian (my mother) in 1918 - 1920 approx, we are not sure if they were living at this address at the time of her birth, but would be grateful if yourself or any other forum members could give me any information that they may have and whether any of the family members still live in the surrounding area. We believe the father Sidney died in 1941, we have no information about his wife. I have enjoyed reading the comments already on this page and hope some of you can be of some help in piecing together the family connections.

Hi, Radford Kid Just been catching up with your stories and am in stitches! The one about how your bandage unrolled amongst the dancers really reminded me of, 'Some Mothers do have 'em'! Really funny Just keep them coming

Hello again Anne , I am glad you enjoyed my exploits it's something that I had to share . I have got to go now but I will try and chat with you later. Colin

Hi. I am fairly new to this site so I was amazed while searching round to find a forum about Burglar Bill. My brother was in the 32nd scouts and the older ones had a shed out the back that they had "meetings etc " in. They were always talking about Burglar Bill and I think they plagued him something rotten. They always used to do something to peoples houses when someone was 21, I know they climbed on the roof of our house in Poole Road and put 21 on the chimney, and draped flags across the road (which had to be removed for the works bus that came up once a day). When one of the other lads was 21 they "borrowed" some of burglar bills chickens and put them in this lads front garden. Someone on this forum mentioned Tony Bend. He was one of the lads at the time. My Dad used to run a bingo on Saturday nights to raise money for the scouts and it got so popular they extended the scout hut to accommodate it. Can any one remember where the chip shop was that was by the old St Nicholas Church Hall. I recollect it being in the old wall where the flats are now. Such a shame to see St Nicholas in the state it is now. I never liked the building but I don't like to see buildings like that.

It was mentioned a year ago by Morgana in this unrelated thread: "Could this be the entrance to Conduit Yard?"

Hello Annewiggy and welcome to this smashing site, I started the topic "Burglar Bill " I am glad you found it interesting, I was also responsible for the mention of "Tony Bend" he used to live next to me when he lived in Radford Road, and as you said he was into the Scout movement. We stayed good friends all through our School days, my name is Colin Walton and we did give Burglar Bill (real name Fredrick Eli Augustus Wilkinson) a bad time. Love to hear more from you on this topic. Colin.

Jog my memory Radford Kid, was the High Mounts the woody bit on the Radford Road where the road splits in 2 by Three Spires Avenue ? As I mentioned I lived in Poole Road, the bottom bit by Lawrence Saunders Road until I married in 1969 My maiden name was Yardley. My Brothers and I went to Radford School and then I went to Coundon Court, my brothers went to Barkers Butts. My older brother would have left school in about 1961. I was thinking about Tony Bend, I did not know him very well bit I know he was one of the lads with my brothers in the Scouts but I don't think they did much scouting when they were older, most of their meetings seemed to be held in the pub. After he was married my younger brother used to play snooker with Tony at the Coachmakers Club by Dark Lane. That place seems to ahve been in our lives for a long time as my Dad used to call bingo there on Mondays Lunchtimes until he was ill just before he died in 2003. My mum used to sell the tickets, she is 89 now but still goes as she is in Weavers Care Home and they take some of them in their wheelchairs on a monday Going back to Radford, my friend at that time lived at the end of Engleton Road. We used to sit on the bench on the corner of the common and watch the teddy boys. Later we changed our allegiance and went to the coffee bar that opened next to the Savoy and Porettas, I think the Savoy was still a cinema then. I loved it when it changed to a bowling alley. I can just about remember the cottages on the Radford Road and the ones in front of St Nicholas, I used to go to Sunday School when the church hall was used for services before they built the new, now derelict one. I seem to remember there were Top Shops in Villa Road As well. Thank you for helping me remember some of these things in Radford, I am very glad I have found this site as I am always interested in the past. I have been doing my family tree for many years and have just recently been able to link my tree which I was frustratingly stuck with to the John Yardley who was Mayor of Coventry in 1689/1690 who met William of Orange when he came to Coventry on the way to Ireland.

Yes Ann they were called the High mounts (not sure why, they were not high) we called them the High-its I was at Barker Butts about the same time as your Brother, my uncle lived at 13 Engleton Road just by the Radford Common. You must remember the Beaker Cafe on the corner of Beake Ave? Also do you remember Turley's Sweet shop near the corner of Villa Road? I used to knock about with some friends in Villa Road, they lived in the tall houses with "top shops " their names.... The Shaw family, the Beacham family ( I used to knock around with Mary Beacham) and another family called Crisp, I remember Christine Crisp. Her Mum used to be a Bookie, and I guess we were Bookies runners, we used to put bets on for our parents, (little bets rolled up with the betting fee inside) "Don't give it to anyone but Mrs Crisp and if you see a Copper come home" that was the standard instruction as betting in them days was illegal. I think the local copper turned a blind eye anyway. We lived in the old cottages opposite the Radford Common next to the yard of Burglar Bill, as you may remember he and his family lived in a Double Decker Bus, his son and I used to be mates and he took me home one day, wow it was real cosy, never got to see upstairs but from what I saw it was real nice I also seem to remember chickens everywhere. Hope to see more from you on Radford. Colin

The above was posted on another thread, but the photo clearly shows the High Mounts and also partly constructed Beake Avenue

Hello RKid, Was there a butcher's shop opposite the Radford common, or somewhere along there. I used to catch a bus and turn up Beake Avenue and vaguely remember the butchers. My husband used to work Saturday mornings for pocket money there and remembered the sawdust on the floor and having to clean it up.

Yes Dreamtime the butcher you refer to was called "Farmers " my ol Pappy used to call in there most Saturdays to collect the Sunday roast, he also loved eating raw sausage, have to say as a kid I also enjoyed them but not now, "not safe" . One of the things I remember was the sawdust on the floor it's funny about what we remember. Mum used to send me for a neck of Mutton, she used to say " if the Butcher asks how you want it cutting, tell him to cut it as near to its bum as you can" she always used to say that but joking. Lol. Next to Farmers the Butcher was Turly's sweet shop and then on the corner of Villa road was the Coblers, the other side of Farmer's was the wool shop, the "Busy Bee" . Hope this helps you remember. It's good to share. All the best. Colin.

Thanks MR I found the link very interesting. Just wished they were a bit more clearer but still very good, thanks again.Colin.

Just a thought, Radford Kid, if you sign in to 'Britain from Above', you can zoom in much clearer, just a reminder if you haven't registered because you'll be missing out on some good material.

I think I will try that Foxcote, thanks