Sewall Highway

Hello Bernie & John (Walrus) Alan Kirby was my dad. You've probably noted the use of the word 'was' there... I'm very much saddened to say that he passed away, very suddenly and completely unexpectedly in July 1994. We still miss him enormously, can't quite believe that it'll be 20 years this year since we lost him. He did go on to Caludon Castle after Courthouse Green, and then on to Henley College. And later married Sheila Waring, of Proffitt Avenue in 1971, then having two sons, my older brother Lee, and me... Gavin. He lived at 669 Sewall Highway, (opposite The Wheel - my dad apparently was as much a fixture of the place as the bar was through much of the late 60s & 70s), with my Granma living there until her death in June 2002. As Bernie said, his mum, my Granma, Madge, worked in Underwoods, though being born in 1978 I remember it as 'Oystons', she worked there until the late 80s possibly to the very early 90s I think (though my brother would probably know, all I remember is going in to see her and getting sweets). Over the years since, I've often searched his name to see if anyone remembers him, so to stumble upon this thread, and to see photos of him when he was a boy too, was both unexpected and emotional... but it's truly delightful to know that he is remembered. Kindest regards, Gavin.

Hello Gavin, so sorry to hear of Alan's too premature passing. I hope you like seeing him on our class photo. We were 11 at that time, in the final year at Courthouse Green, just before going on to Caludon or Broad Street. It's a shame we were all split up at Caludon and went our separate ways, I never met any of those lads again but I have happy memories of our all day cricket matches on the fields alongside Purcell Road.

I think she actually died in 1999 at the age of 88

Gavin, if you click on Photo mysteries on the left hand menu and then on Courthouse Green School you'll see a photo of our first year infants class, 1953. Alan is back row, 2nd from right.

I did indeed see it John, picked him out straight away too. I've got to double check what photos we do have, but I don't think we've seen either of those before either. It's one of the great mysteries of our family, after my Granma died, we found hardly any photos of my dad when he was younger, and very few of the family in general, despite knowing that photographs were taken, and given, over the years, but like I said... it's a mystery. And he loved his cricket, he was once stopped whilst walking up Proffitt Avenue in the mid 60s after a policeman thought he looked suspicious carrying a large holdall at night. One can only imagine the disappointment of one of Coventry's finest when upon the opening of said holdall, it only contained cricket gear rather than any ill-gotten swag. My dad was incredulous apparently that anyone, let alone an officer of the law would consider him of 'shady' character. Kind regards, Gavin.

Hi again Did anyone else in the Sewall Highway area go to Stoke Heath Primary and Junior Schools? I attended 1964-1972. The school was built in 1926 and sadly demolished to make way for a new one. Then went onto Lyng Hall and that too was knocked down to make way for a much different model.

What they did to Lyng Hall was horrible. I used to take a shortcut through the school (to get the No.7 bus from outside Moby Dick chip shop opposite The Devonshire Arms) when I lived in Brixham Drive. It had a lovely small lake and a really nice look to the place. It looks too modernised and sterile now, and Im willing to bet the lake has been filled in as well.

When was Courthouse Green School built? I do remember that in the late 40's, 1949 to be precise, a friend of mine at Stoke Heath, Robin Plummer, lived in the crescent in Sewall Highway. Must have been a good walk from Purcell Road to Courthouse Green School for little ones. Mind you, having said that, where we lived in Sewall Highway (halfway between The Devon and Dennis Road) must have been a good walk to Stoke Heath for a 5 year old. I presume that the catchment area between Stoke Heath and Stoke school must have been just below where we lived, as I think that children that lived not far below us in our part of Sewall Highway went to Stoke. As somebody else has already pointed out, I have no recollection of being walked to school. One other item that may be known, or of interest to some members, Coventry City players lodged in Sewall Highway, almost opposite Underwoods. Ray Straw and Paddy Ryan both lodged there in the late 50's. Someone else previously mentioned Mellor's, along Blackberry Lane, I think, they seemed to be open all hours long before most shops were.

Mellors was located amongst a row of shops on Brixham Drive that included a greengrocers, a wool shop, a butcher's, a stationery shop, Underwoods newsagents and a hardware shop. I had VERY fond memories of Mellors as it used to stock Colt 45 lager, and I convinced the old lady on the till it was like Top Deck shandy, just a different can design. Bearing in mind it was a potent beer for a teenager! Did that a few times.

Slash, I think Courthouse Green school must have opened in 1951. I must admit I've never considered its opening date before but I came across a 2010 article from the Telegraph which stated that it was to be demolished after 59 years. I started there as a five year old in 1953 and all my siblings, fifteen of us, followed me. I absolutely loved it there, the old school did us proud.

Hi, I think we must have started at Stoke Heath school at the same time. I lived in Geoffrey Close (close to the Grange pub) till I was 6 and the school seemed miles away at the time. Also spent time in Bartons Meadow which was a bit closer. Remember the walk up Wyken Way to school in all weathers. The only 2 memories I have of the school was the strong smell of polish, and a teacher named miss Pratt. Still good memories. Moved to Tile Hill then when the new estate was built. Life has now come a full circle as I am now back in Wyken living Off Brixham drive.