Smithford Street (inc. Ram Bridge)

Thank you, ladies - sounds like it was bound for the fire then, Anne

1933, and Hitler and the Nazi party swung into power. Britain was in no way economically able to afford a war, neither were the Germans, but Germany had secretly infiltrated the boardrooms of other countries in iron, tin, coal, etc., to give Germany what it needed. Britain didn't want the horror of another war, so tried appeasement, but the Nazi party ignored. Coventry had five major political parties, and with the confrontation of a possible war the meetings were longer, more heated and more demonstrations, and everyone was caught up in it, no one could avoid it. Now, Coventry's most popular place for meetings was the White Lion Hotel in Smithford street; drinks, food and comfort at the meetings, it became the most talked about and famous rendezvous in Coventry. Now, everyone had read and heard of aerial warfare, but when Coventry saw newsreels of the bombing of Spain in 1936 by Germany, it was a different horror story. They provided a dire warning of what Coventry could expect in the near future. Suddenly the Fascist party in Coventry were confronted, fisticuffs on the streets, the meetings a hotbed of confusion. Families, friends, all had different views, and underneath it all, the twenty and thirty year-olds feared they would be at the forefront. The White Lion pub was now the centre for scenes of unrest, the hall now hired out by the ticket/shop method but the money came rolling in. Photographers had cameras smashed, editorials were threatened. Between parties trouble making became part of the scene, and still industrialised Coventry was not on a wartime footing.

Academic thesis on the British Union of Fascists in the Midlands, 1932-1940. An interesting account of fascism including Coventry (chapter 4). Basically Coventry wasn't interested and BUF only attained a peak of 45 members. Due to that lack of interest the bulk of meetings were outdoors in the market or in senior member's homes. A few meetings were held at the Corn Exchange (next door to the White Lion, where the post office had been) in Smithford Street but there may have been more people outside protesting than inside taking an interest. A favourite site at which to sell literature was Smithford Street near the Coventry Arcade (not sure if that means the City Arcade or the Drinkwater Arcade but they were all close). Coventry wasn't anti Jew and as the city was booming between the wars there was little social injustice anger to build upon. The council were spending a lot on improving the lives of Coventry people including social housing - hence the mass clearance of medieval buildings. Map taken from Rob's generously shared Goad Fire Insurance maps.

Someone on FB has just posted a similar Telegraph image to my post #4 of the Ram Bridge opening during the Lower Precinct development. This one interestingly states... Work on the Lower Precinct in 1958 was a rare occasion when the river Sherbourne was visible, and below the flower beds in Trinity Street which subsided in 1966 due, it is thought to the collapse of old cellars underneath. I was aware that elements of the old cellars from Butcher Row were thought to be there but this is the first time I've heard it in evidence. Does anyone have any images of the collapse at all they could post to the Butcher Row thread? The date might help a newspaper search, Anne?

Hi Neil, will have a look in a few days. Just got back from an overnight stay in hospital for a "procedure" so feeling a bit tired but all is well.

No, don't remember the collapse, but remember the cellars at the vaults at the pub, next door to the bookshop. They rolled the barrels down with the aid of ropes somehow if I'm not mistaken?

Rob, those old maps were the property of the insurance, not to be seen by the public in the day. They were not accurate to within half a rod, about 9 feet. Mainly to assess fire, the more wood, the further away from water, the premiums rose. As hotels began, it was mostly by horse or coach, so hotels had to have large stables, haylofts, grain stores and all manner of things, they also had to have roads next to them that could take haycarts and coaches. Haylofts and straw, wooden stables and stores, often went on fire. Premiums were very high, so they brought in water channels (conduits) right through the stables and buildings to reduce the premiums. They did the same job as today's works firemen, they kept the premiums down. A bit of useless info. The average well kept horse could carry a man, stopping for food and water, for 33 miles, without damage to his body. A rod was 16 and a half feet - four rods were one chain, 10 chains made a furlong, eight furlongs to a mile.

Smithford Street, 1939

British Home Stores one side of the street and Woolworth's opposite, both sadly now gone from our high streets.

Another great shot from CliffB I'd not seen before.

I was amused to see the 'To Let' notice above the Cafe. It looks fresh.

An interesting photo, Prof, that ties in well with the aerial photos.

I was surprised to see the sign on Woolworths offering a self serve cafe in 1939.