Just Inside Morrisons in Coventry.....Art!

Morrisons, Binley, Coventry

I couldn't pass this by without taking a photo.  There are two Tiffany style mosaic murals just inside the door which are truly in keeping with Coventry history and quite lovely to look at.  Super!

Walking Past 'The Hub' at Coventry University

Coventry University

No bright blue skies this morning but this short walk through the Coventry University certainly brightened up my day.  The Hub is the University's latest meeting place with lots of green spaces outside and a historic backdrop, The Cathedral.  Well done!

Walking Just Outside Coventry University...WOW!

Coventry University, Gulson Road site

I have seen a glimpse or two of this building under construction on the Gulson Hospital site (driving from the Ring Road to London Road).  Taking a walk got me this view of a small portion of what is to be the Engineering and Computing Building at Coventry University.  It looks brilliant.

(Nearly Tripping) Along Cox Street, Coventry

Gosford Street and Cox Street, Coventry

The reason I took this photo is to highlight the 2 inch drop on the curb around most of the new 'shared space' intersections in Coventry City Centre.  You might be focused on all the moving cars and buses not to notice this slight drop in curb elevation...resulting in a sprained ankle or two.  Take Care!  PS.  No idea why I ended up with a virtual black & white photo - this was taken today at 11am in bright sunshine.  I like it.

Easy Choice for Today's Photo

Sowe River Walk, Ernesford Grange, Coventry

I kid you not.  This busy squirrel stood still for ages allowing me to take this terrific photograph. Taken this afternoon along the Sowe River Walk near loads of houses on a bright and sunny day.

City of Coventry Stadium ....at this location soon.

Ricoh Arena, home of Coventry City FC

Here's the story.  The Ricoh Arena is Coventry City FC's home ground and soon to be hosting football games for the 2012 Olympics and matches for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.  There is a hitch....the name.  So the sign I took a picture of today and all the others around the stadium and on the roof will either be removed or covered soon.  Follow the link HERE for more information about the Olympic games and an airbrushed  photo of how the stadium will look.

Walking Down Binley Road....Coventry.

What can I see through the fence?  Copsewood Grange Golf Club.  It won't be long before the leaves give golfers a little privacy from busy traffic running along two sides of the golf course.  

Historic Spon Street Infants School

Spon Street School on site of Spon Gate Primary School, Spon End

This is what remains of Victorian Spon Street School.  This is the old infants school building and was constructed between 1903 and 1906 and has been closed since 1999.  Adjoining the site of this building used to be other buildings, including a 1869 'ragged school' with free education.  Tons of history attached to this site...!

Coventry City Centre Park (in the making)?

Space outside Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Lane

This is the top of Trinity Street and soon to be a grassed area.  I don't expect it will be a park. I thought it would be fun to photograph it now and then.  Watch this 'green' space to be.

Home, Spon Street, Along Time Ago

Coventry Watch Museum, Spon Street, Coventry 

The photograph is taken inside one of the houses (built in 1820) still remaining in Court 7, Spon Street.  I think we have an eclectic collection of stuff which may or may not date back to early 1800's.  Still, it is fun to look at.

Coombe Country Park, Near Coventry

Taken from the Parking Lot

What Is Going On Here....! Not Good!

Copsewood Grange, Victorian Mansion

Walking down Allard Way, I could see this magnificent building from the road side.  I love photographing buildings, trees and then reading about the history of the places I visit.  This picture reflects a sad story of a 1872 building which has lost all dignity.  This building and surrounding property is loaded with history and, in my view, should not be as it is now.... derelict.  Sad.  PS...Why not Google 'Copsewood Grange Demolition' and read more.

Heading To London.....I Expect

Skies Over Grange Golf Club at Noon Today

The morning started out so bright and sunny and then the clouds started rolling in.  Hard to believe it was just after 12 noon when this was taken.  My guess is that sky trail is from a plane travelling to London.

Happy Mother's Day

At Home in Coventry, England

Something New, Something Old & Something Green.

Happy St Patrick's Day!  I had to include 'something' green in Today's Photo.  What we have here is a real mixed bag of old and new....Holy Trinity Church Spire (very old), Old Fire Station Tower (1902) and the Glass Bridge (2004) that connects Millennium Square with Lady Herbert's Garden.

Taken from Lady Herbert Gardens, Coventry

What is a Ghost Sign?

This is!  Today's photo is of an old hand-painted advertisement found in Lower Holyhead Road, near Spon Street, Coventry.  Signage like this can be found on buildings worldwide. Wonder if I can find another Ghost Sign in Coventry. 'Watch this Space'.

Lower Holyhead Road, Coventry

All Clear...Let's Cross Now!

The Tudor Rose Pub, The Burges, Coventry

More buildings today and a view of The Burges with newly redesigned intersection at Hales and Corporation Streets.  The plan is that the area inside the large cement balls is deemed to be a 'shared space' which can be occupied by buses, cars and pedestrians all at the same time!  That's right.  

STAND STILL.....!

And, they did.  These aren't Cheltenham champions but they are friendly family horses found just outside Coventry near Brandon.

Somewhere near Brandon, England.

Yet, another reason why I love living in Coventry.  Five minutes drive and you are in the countryside.

The Blue Box, Coventry

No collection of photographs of Coventry would be complete without one of this modern building which opened in 2007 and is located in the City Centre.

Ikea, Croft Road, Coventry

This Morning in Broadgate, Coventry.

This is the view I had from my favourite seat at Starbucks in Coventry this morning.  Looks like work is progressing on a new open space in Broadgate.  The 'headline' news is typical of a City bombed heavily in WWII. I am happy to report that the story behind the headline has a happy ending.

Broadgate, Coventry

If you want to read more, here is the Coventry Telegraph link to this story HERE.

A Result! All Windows Fixed.....

....which means I can take this photograph (now) focusing on the curious reflections.

Friars House, Manor House Road, Coventry

What an improvement compared to photo I took on 23rd February (below).  Thank you, Friars House people.

Windows are secure.

Charity Event, Helium and University of Kansas...!

Here is the story.  These colourful balloons can't be missed if you go into West Orchard Shopping Centre in Coventry.  Suspended from the balloons is Stuart Kettell who is raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support.   For more information click HERE. 

In 1903 an unidentified gas was discovered in Dexter, Kansas, USA, and samples where taken to University of Kansas where it was determined that the samples were Helium.  What is fun for me is that there is a family connection with this discovery and my great grandfather.

More about University of Kansas and this discovery HERE.

Coombe Country Park, near Coventry

Taken from the Fishery car park 

My guess is that it won't be long before these beautiful trees will be covered in leaves.  The sooner the better!

A Closer Look At Stoke Public Library, Coventry

Stoke Public Library, Walsgrave Road at Kingsway

This grand old building was opened as a library in 1913.  It was funded by  philanthropist Andrew Carnegie along with two other libraries in Earlsdon and Foleshill.    

Remember to keep looking up, up, up and you will see Coventry's Coat of Arms in clear view.

Coventry Coat of Arms 

Library is open for business.  Hooray!

An Artistic Look at Residents of Prehistoric Coventry

This 1958 tile mural is on display in the walkway between Lower Precinct and Corporation Street.  It tells a story of Coventry from prehistoric times to.......well, why not stop by and have a look next time you are in the City Centre.

The Cullen Mural, Lower Precinct, Coventry

Read all about it.

Something Old and Something New...in Coventry

Bablake School Chimney Pots, Coventry

This is Coventry.  The historic buildings and history are there to be found but new parking structures, satellite dish and a recovery crane may share the same City Centre spaces as well.  It is the chimney pots on Bablake School that caught my eye.  They are amazing.  Bablake School is a wonderful example of a half-timbered Tudor building dating back to the 1500's.

St Johns Church and Bablake School, Coventry

Bablake School, Hill Street (taken from St John's Church)

Spon Street - Historic Buildings & A Watch Museum

Spon Street has on display a number of beautiful historic timber framed buildings.  The photograph below is not an example of that.  These 3 modest dwellings date back to early 1800's when many people lived in 'court houses', commonly found in Coventry.  There is a suggestion that these are Coventry's last example of court house dwellings.  'Watch' out, there is a surprise to be found here too....read on.

Court 7 (Number 22, 23, 24), Spon Street, Coventry

A watch museum!  The Coventry Watch Museum Project purchased this property and their museum is just beyond those historic court houses.  I am looking forward to visiting the museum very soon. For more information about Coventry Watch Museum, click the link HERE.