News

CovSoc founder member, Paul Maddocks, tells us about a CovSoc visit to St. John the Divine Church in Willenhall. Paul writes…… The Coventry Society visit to St. John the Devine church was like a trip back in time for me. I grow up in the new Coventry estate of Willenhall, from 1958. This was mainly… Read more: CovSoc Visit to St. John the Divine

Historian and CovSoc member, Peter James, tells us about John Thornton, Coventry’s most famous glazier! Peter writes…… John Thornton of Coventry stands as one of the most renowned glaziers of medieval England, celebrated for his masterful stained-glass artistry of the early 15th century. He reached the height of his fame with the commission and creation… Read more: John Thornton – Master Glazier

This month we have the opportunity to visit more than 50 venues in Coventry with free tours, events, and activities, giving people a chance to take a look behind the scenes. It’s a great opportunity to learn about Coventry’s history, heritage, and culture. Heritage Open Days runs from Friday 12th September – Sunday 21st September 2025.… Read more: Heritage Open Days 2025

The BBC has reported that Coventry’s iconic swimming baths is set to be demolished after the council failed to find another use for the building. The building is Grade II listed but has not been used since 2020. The BBC report, by Simon Gilbert, reveals that the council has spent almost £2.3m on Coventry’s former… Read more: Coventry Baths Set for Demolition

My name is Peter Hunter. I’m a Coventry Society member with an interest in all things Coventry and a passion for running. I try to combine these two activities by taking in places of interest whilst out jogging. I’ve written a few pieces over the years entitled “the Old Guy goes jogging”. This latest piece… Read more: The Old Guy goes jogging – Craven Colliery and two grandfathers

CAIF, the Coventry Association for International Friendship, and CDE, the Coventry-Dresden Exchange, are bringing Günter Starke and his partner, Christine, to Coventry from our twin city of Dresden in October this year. Now more than 80 years old, Günter is a legend in photographic circles in Saxony, having survived as a documentary photographer during the… Read more: CAIF Photographic Project

It is with great sadness that we report that Victor Riley passed away on the 12th August 2025. Victor was one of the last connections with the golden age of Coventry’s motoring heritage. He was the grandson of the founder of the Riley Cycle Co. in 1896. The Riley family have lived in Coventry since… Read more: Victor Riley RIP

Coventry City Council is trialling the use of new materials in road surfaces.   The aim is to develop more sustainable, greener and eco-friendly road materials. Trials will take place this summer, using two different materials in the repair of on two different roads in the city. The project will help the UK learn how… Read more: Greener Roads?

Coventry Society committee member Peter Walters reports on a sun-kissed society visit to one of the Midlands’ lesser known country houses. Had the fates been a little kinder to Percy Pilcher, then his name would truly resonate in the aviation hall of fame. The first person in the United Kingdom to fly, by the autumn… Read more: CovSoc goes to Stanford Hall

With the CovSoc visit to St. John the Divine Church coming up this week, our Vice Chair, Tim Brown, tells us some of the context of the construction of the church in Willenhall and the city’s post-war estates. Tim writes….. St John the Devine is one of three churches designed by Basil Spence and built… Read more: St. John the Divine and Coventry’s Post War Suburbs