At our monthly meeting in Coventry University TV historian Dr Jonathan Foyle told a large audience : “Come on Cov, don’t undersell yourself!” As Chief Executive of the World Monuments Fund Britain we had invited him to explain his ambitions for the city in particular the importance of its history and buildings. He went on to say: “What strikes me about Coventry the most is its heritage in the 15th century that is absolutely incredible. There are things here that you won’t find anywhere else in Britain. You have a city of national significance in Coventry. What surprises me is how much survives.” We know what a wonderful history we have but Dr Foyle went much further emphasising the need to promote the best we have to offer. He went on to speak passionately about the medieval stained glass by renowned medieval artist John Thornton, recently rediscovered and how it needs to be presented in such a way as to make the City a “must see” destination for visitors. Dr Foyle also described the world class tapestry in St Mary’s Guildhall as the oldest in the country that is still in the location it was designed for. Working with Coventry Cathedral he explained how medieval glass has to be displayed to advantage, and all possibilities considered to draw the attention of visitors. He was bold enough to suggest we even consider re‐roofing part of the Cathedral Ruins, a step too far and controversial for some. Coventry Society looks forward to working with Dr Foyle whenever appropriate in the hope we can make our contribution to the campaign he has started with such enthusiasm.
November 2012 The next meeting:
Monday, November 12
Latest thinking on the City Centre A review of the shared spaces presented by Colin Knight, Assistant Director, Planning, Transportation & Highways Shop Front Theatre, City Arcade 7.30pm start. Visitors welcome Light refreshments Ample kerbside parking in the street just outside
October saw the Society with two important events we see as helping to further our campaign for a quality Coventry. On October 20 Civic Voice’s president calendar. Our members can rest assured Griff Rhys Jones spoke from the heart and we are to spare the city the indignity of a personal experience about the need to similar experience. conserve our heritage at the same time as At the conference on Saturday, our Vice being open to sensible alternative uses of Chairman Colin Walker gave the Coventry historic buildings. He said that history tells welcome to the delegates and told them about the history of the society. The us the recession will not last for ever and we should avoid making rash decisions to conference broke into four workshops on destroy our heritage on the dubious key themes for the civic movement: justification of the current recession. participation in neighbourhood planning; He was speaking at this year’s Civic Voice the future of Heritage Open Days; the Conference and AGM that Coventry Portas Pilots for town centres and Society was hosting. Civic Voice is the Placecheck – a tool for the improvement umbrella group for civic societies around of neighbourhoods. We divided our Cllr John Mutton, the Leader of the members between these workshops and the country and has over 300 member organisations. More than 100 of these Council, gave the official civic welcome to found them interesting. came to Coventry. One of our members, David Tittle, is a the conference. The Society organised four walking tours We liked John telling us that the Coventry trustee of Civic Voice and he led a session for participants and received very positive Society was a “pain in the a*se” but he about the Civic Voice Leadership conceded that an effective civic society is feedback. Several people commented programme. Participants gave an important. how interesting and nice Coventry is. interesting demonstration of a new tool We took them to Far Gosford Street, He also complimented Ron Morgan, a they have devised to assist civic societies Electric Wharf, Black Swan Terrace and the founder member of the Society, for having become more effective and strategic in Charterhouse, with society members the foresight to save important buildings their development. The Coventry Society in the city. The evening also included an will find this a very useful aid to help it acting as tour leaders. On Friday evening we supported a civic awards ceremony for societies who have shape itself for the future. reception in St. Mary’s Guildhall and laid undertaken innovative and effective work The conference was interesting and on entertainment in the form of a recital like the Blackpool Civic Society who had stimulating and Coventry Society made an published a “Calendar Girls” style effective contribution to its success. of harp music.