November 2018 In view of the Council’s own withdrawn application we expect Shearer’s plan to be recommended for approval. We therefore ask: “Why is the Council violating its own policy and normal planning practice?” Support for our premier conservation area The campaign to save the Coventry Cross from demolition Earlier this month the Society submitted a petition to the City continues after Coventry City Council withdrew its own Council to save the Coventry Cross. More than 800 people in planning application last month. Now, in a carefully worded the city have said No to the Council’s plans to make way for the statement Shearer Property Group is reported in Coventry’s weekly paper ’The Observer’ as saying: the Cross was currently outdoor smoking area for this new restaurant. The petition is seen here being handed over to Cllr. Roger Bailey, who will in a restricted location overshadowed by a number of buildings...its relocation would provide the opportunity to create formally present it to the City Council (pictured left). In October the Coventry Society received backing for its a public square and enable campaign from national organisation Civic Voice, which is significant improvements…’ concerned about the damage to Conservation Areas up and In its formal application down the country and in particular to the loss of Conservation (FUL/2018/2655) the Officers who can advise councils on the proper conservation of property group is asking for historic assets. Civic Voice pointed out that the Hill Top the removal of the Cross to Conservation Area was designated by the Government as one of enable the redesign of the the foremost Conservation Areas in the country. public space and reconfigure As with the previous planning application, this one gives no an existing terrace to facilitate a larger seating area justification for the demolition of the cross. Fit for City of Culture 2021 for a new restaurant. So what Paul Maddocks, Chair of the Society said: “We would expect the is all the controversy about? Council to listen to the considerable numbers of Coventry Need for a proper Heritage Statement Citizens who have expressed their displeasure with the The site is in the city’s prime conservation area next to Council’s scheme to spoil one of the heritage features of the important listed buildings—the Holy Trinity Church and Coventry Cathedral Ruins. So according to legislation a plan like city’s premier conservation area. We ask them to re-think their unacceptable plans. The Council has found £150,000 to demolish Shearers should be accompanied by what is called a Heritage Statement. This needs to explain how the Conservation Area is and remove the Cross. Surely a better plan is to use the funding to restore and enhance this monumental link with the city’s enhanced by the proposal. No such statement exists! The Council’s own Management Plan for the Conservation Area colourful history. “We would like to see the Cross cleaned up, the missing parts states clearly that public art works that enhance the re-installed, gilded like the original cross, and made into a Conservation Area should be retained and that demolition of stunning tourist attraction fit for a city of culture.” any structure is only permitted where it enhances the area. A near sell-out crowd looked on as Coventry’s medieval jewel, St Mary’s Hall, sparkled into life with music, poetry and Shakespeare on the evening of October 9. Historian Jonathan Foyle, actors from the city’s Criterion Theatre and a trombone quartet playing music from the Renaissance shaped a narrative to celebrate Coventry’s Tudor Inheritance, The Wars Of The Roses, The Royal Tapestry and Shakespeare. It was the third event in the hall staged by Tudor Coventry Community Interest Company, a group of enthusiasts who came together three years ago to highlight the hall and the treasures it houses and raise the profile of Coventry’s
extraordinary, and much over-looked, late medieval history. Their chief focus is a fund-raising campaign to bring better lighting and presentation
to the hall’s early sixteenth century tapestry, now emerging as a hidden national treasure that warrants much more attention and research than it has had in the past. Coventry Society’s Peter Walters, a member of the Tudor Coventry group, said, “With 2021 coming up, this is the time to highlight and better care for Coventry’s heritage, both modern and medieval. We believe that the city has so many wonderful stories to tell, and should make much more of them. Clearly, the public’s response to the events we’ve held in St Mary’s Hall so far tell us that we are not alone in this. We will be back with new events next year”.
More news and views on our website: news.coventrysociety.org.uk
Rededication of the Triumph Gloria Memorial in London Road Cemetery takes place later this month after a restoration project led by the Friends of the cemetery.
They were awarded a grant of 74% of the total cost from the War Memorials Trust with the balance supplied through the TR Register, Coventry Group. As well as the Coventry Standard Bearers’ Association that will be present, it is hoped that many descendants to the 66 men remembered on the memorial will be able to attend the ceremony. Members of the TR Register with their historic cars will also be present along with the Triumph Owners MCCC Meriden Branch. After the service refreshments will be served. The re-dedication takes place on Saturday, November 17 at 12 noon.
The St Mary’s Guildhall colouring book is now out! It’s a winning concept by Coventry Freemen’s Guild, the second in the series, and a publication that will appeal to all those with an
Thankfully there are businesses here that have survived years of trading through good times and bad. Businesses like Cejais Collector’s Corner, Charles Ager and Terry Rowland the butcher. But will the Council see this as complementary shopping to the multi-nationals round the corner? It will need help and co-operation to The Co-operative: luxury apartments ensure this concept is developed. Above all overheads for these independents With the opening of luxury apartments in need to be at sensible levels. the former Co-op and independent café Changamiri Coffee opposite on the north side of Corporation Street there’s a real sense of a new community in the making here. With Belgrade Square, the theatre and Telegraph transformed into a ‘fifties festive-style’ hotel along with speciality shops along the thoroughfare this is surely the sort of shopping that Coventry people have been hoping for for years. Prominent heritage building: St John the Baptist Parish Church
Long established: Charles Ager
interest in the city’s history. This time it focuses on just one building in the city, St. Mary’s Guildhall. The hall played host to Kings and Queens, and the colourful events when they were wined and dined are among the illustrations. William Shakespeare and his Kings Players are even said to have entertained in the hall.. The book covering the life of the Guildhall from Medieval times right through to its involvement with the English Civil War costs just £5. Proceeds go to local charities that the Guild supports. Available from the Herbert Art Gallery, the Coventry Transport Museum or the Priory Visitor Centre.
can provide some advice and support. The Council need to be constantly reminded that in recent times it’s been a rocky ride for the big boys and who knows which retailer will be the next to pull out. These small businesses could be the firm foundation of a new city centre and they desperately need to be looked after. For sometime now we have been asking for a meeting with the chief officer who handles these matters. He needs to talk to local interest groups like our Society. We are only too willing to act as a facilitator in these sorts of meetings. This could be vital for the future wellbeing of our primary shopping area when so many multi-nationals have an uncertain future. So far our requests have fallen on deaf ears. Keith Draper
Contacts
Postal address: 77 Craven Street, Coventry CV5 8DT Already we have seen considerable Chairman’s tel: 07814327614 investment by these local entrepreneurs. Email: info @coventrysociety.org.uk Is it now the time for a new small traders’ If Twitter is your thing, you can follow us at association here that can provide some https://twitter.com/#!/CovSoc combined communal weight over the We also have our own page on thorny matter of rents, rates and other Facebook. aspects of running a small business? You can also follow us there at Perhaps the city’s Chamber of Commerce http://www.facebook.com/CoventrySociety