Fletchamstead

For thirty years I have lived within the sound of the traffic on the Fletchamstead Highway and have sometimes wondered.. The name to me can be split into two halves Fletch and Hampstead so does this imply that there was once a village thereabouts populated with fletchers busy making arrows. I like to think that there is a reason or logic to some names of our city streets. Likewise in the Tile Hill area there are several references in street names to the Knights Templars. What is the connection between the Templars and Tile Hill?...Les

There's an explanation of the connection between the Templars and Fletchamstead here: Tile Hill Kid - Fletchamstead Hall

Thanks for reply Mr Dutchman, interesting read.

It's the case that outsiders tend to call it "Fletch Hamstead" whilst real Coventrians know it as "Fletchumsted"

Anyone know what happened to Fletchamstead Hall?

It was knocked down around 60 years ago NeilsYard. Originally it was replaced by a small factory, but now there are houses covering the site.

Probably longer than that, in 1952 we moved into a new council house in Templar Ave and could get to the site by walking across the playing field behind the house. There were just a few large stones to show where the hall had once stood.

Had it just fallen in to disrepair?

Possibly Neil, but there was very little of it left.

Great early view of the A45 - Fletch highway looking west. You can see the old Standard Cinema so its post 1938 -

Great pic Neil. Would that building on the left be Coventry Gauge & Tool ?

I think so, Mick, yes - later the Matrix. Looking at Grace's Guide, that factory only went up in 1936.

Was the Fletch pub built around that time?

Yes, 1937.

I would say that the photograph dates from the late 40's or very early 50's because the cars parked in what I assume is the Standard include a Triumph Roadster (Bergerac car) which was introduced in 1946 and some Standard Vanguard Phase 1's which were introduced in 1947.