Last month the Coventry Society organised its fourth annual heritage conference and we have now published a report on the event.
The conference was held in the Priory Centre, which is now managed by the Coventry University Student Union.
The conference was an opportunity for heritage groups, individuals and public organisations across the city to share information about heritage developments.
About 80 people attended the conference and were addressed by no less than eleven speakers.
In the morning session there was a focus on Coventry’s cycling heritage. CovSoc member Mark Cook told us about some of Coventry’s cycling heroes and heroines, including Edie Atkins and Eileen Sheriden and the bicycles that they used, made by such famous names as Tom Bromwich, John Atkins and Lee Cooper. Mark brought some of there bikes along to the conference.
Rachel McGregor, from the National Cycling Archive at Warwick University, told us about the collections that the university has collected since 1973. This included some fascinating diaries and travelogues written by early cycling pioneers.
Jordan Davies from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, updated us on the progress with the Sherbourne Valley Project. The Coventry Society has already visited some of the projects along its route and is committed to this important project.
Dr. Mark Webb gave us a fascinating insight into the recently restored tapestry from St. Mary’s Guildhall. Using volunteers to hold up a replica of the tapestry, he pointed out the symbolism of some of the images on the tapestry. Copies of Mark’s book on the tapestry were on sale at the conference.
CovSoc chair, Trevor Cornfoot, explained the role of the Coventry Society in enhancing the city’s environment. He pointed out some of the issues that the society had engaged with.
CovSoc member and author, Fred Luckett, told us about his research into the first pub in Coventry. It is believed to the called the White Celler, but its exact location remains uncertain.
Helene Barratt is the daughter of Sir Charles Barratt, the Council’s Town Clerk from 1946 – 1970. She has taken on the herculean task of transcribing the eighteen diaries that her father wrote over his period of office. Helene told us some of the fascinating content of the diaries.
Robert Davies is the Conservation Architect who as commissioned to report on and then advise on the remediation that was needed after developers made a complete hash of the Old Reform Club in Warwick Row. He told us a sorry tale of ignorance and vandalism, ameliorated only by the developer’s willingness to put things right.
Paul Salisbury told us about the work of the Coventry Family History Society and gave us valuable advice on tracing your family history. Most importantly you need to cross check your findings.
Paul Palmer, the historian of All Souls Church in Chapelfields, told us about the history of the Church, which is celebrating its centenary this year. The Church was a memorial to those who died in the First World War and was itself damaged by bombing in the Second World War.
You can download a full report on the conference from here. The Society is planning to a hold a fifth conference next October.