Exhibition at Priory Visitor Centre from 11-4 with guided and self-guided tours. Coventry’s Civic Day project in support of Historic England’s Campaign for the protection of post-war architecture
June 2018
City of Culture looms yet here we are proposing to radically change parts of our historic post-war centre. Keith Draper asks: “Isn’t it time to champion the importance of our post-war developments? Even mount a 2021 exhibition linking the 1951 Festival of Britain to our city’s ‘Golden Age’. On Victory Day 1946 a large crowd gathered on the site of the city’s new precinct to witness the unveiling of the Phoenix levelling stone, a slab of Cumberland granite carved to a design by Coventry’s first architect Donald Gibson and his artist friend Trevor Tennant. It would signal the beginning of a groundbreaking project that would bring about the construction of the first major traffic-free precinct in Europe. Coincidentally as the country recovered from war, in London His Majesty’s Government had decided to stage a nation-wide festival to mark the Centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851. It was planned and constructed under the direction of eminent architect, interior designer, artist, and writer and broadcaster on 20th-century design, Hugh Casson. The exhibition was an antidote to post-war austerity, would improve morale, and significantly, champion the country’s hugely important industries. Festival architects would use the design and layout of the South Bank Festival as examples of what could be achieved by applying modern town planning ideas. The Festival Style combined modernism with whimsy and Englishness, championing national achievements, inventions, and would attract all-important custom from abroad. The opportunity was taken to show off modern architecture, design, and planning principles. The influence of the Festival Style would be felt in the new towns, coffee bars and office blocks all over Britain. Harlow new town and the rebuilding of Coventry city centre showed the influence of the Festival Style in their light structures, picturesque layout and commissioning of public art. Those fortunate to go down to London will surely have vivid memories of the trip. As a youngster of nine I recall the train
journey and the stay in a B&B just off Kensington High Street. The special bus tickets to the South Bank are somewhere in my box of mementoes and the Festival of Britain Guide priced at 2/6d still has a place on my bookshelf. Memories of the South bank site are hazy but the guide itself acts as a perfect aide memoir. The flying saucer-like Dome of Discovery contained a whole myriad of displays covering the New World, the Polar regions, the Sea, the Sky and Outer Space. A staggering story of discovery and adventure for any youngster. Perimeter pavilions featured all that was good in Britain. Its minerals, power and production, sea and ships, homes and gardens, new schools, health, sport and telecinema. What an impression. The Telecinema was the first cinema in the world to be designed and built to show films and television. Multiple sound tracks enabled stereophonic speech and music. Sound in front, from above and behind. Amazing stuff in 1951. Arts festivals took place around the country. Stratford-uponAvon was the venue for our local show with events from March to October. Travelling exhibitions toured the country with the Festival ship ‘Campania’ stopping off at towns and cities as far apart as Plymouth and Dundee. The story continues over page with a few memories of Coventry’s Festive Style.
Dr Nick Mallinson will take us on a tour of its workshop and energy innovation facilities. Approach along road from gatehouse on Gibbet Hill Road, turning into University Road. The car park to use is immediately left. Follow route around the building to reception. Strictly limited numbers and members only. Book with Les Fawcett on 024 7627 5460. First come, first served.
More news and views on our website: www.coventrysociety.org.uk