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1. The Arno Motor Company of Coventry 1908-1916, by Damien Kimberley
2. The Beech on Wheels, by Derek Robinson and forum member Foxcote
3. A brief history of Saint Osburg's, in pictures, by Damien Kimberley
4. The Brough Superior, by Damien Kimberley
5. Coventry Volunteer Fire Brigade - Illustrated London News, Jan 4th 1862
6. Coventry's Great Flood - London Daily Graphic, 2nd January 1901
7. Coventry's Rich Heritage, by Pete Walters
8. Coventry, the Home of the Cycle Trade - 1886 magazine article
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10. D-Day and Monty's Staff Car, by Paul Maddocks
11. The Dragoon Cycle Company of Coventry, by Damien Kimberley
12. Edwin Brown, Victorian Animal Artist, by Stephen Catton
13. The First Tudor Feast, by Richard Ball
14. The Great Flood of December 1900, and the lost Bridges, by Damien Kimberley
15. Henry Cave, and the 'Lady' Autocar of 1899, by Damien Kimberley
16. The Ira Aldridge Trail, by Simon Shaw
17. Let's talk about Rex, by Damien Kimberley
18. The Lion Bicycle Company of Coventry & Wolverhampton 1877-1882, by Damien Kimberley
19. Miss Bashford, a Teacher's Tale, by Simon Shaw
20. Motor Panels (Coventry) Ltd, by Damien Kimberley
21. The New Bablake Schools - 1889 article
22. New Drinking Fountain at Coventry - 17 Sep 1859
23. Not Forgotten, the 1939 IRA bomb attack, by Simon Shaw
24. The Old Vicarage, Binley, by Anna Eddleston
25. Phil Silvers Archival Museum, by Paul Maddocks
26. Proposal for St. Michael's Campanile c1890
27. Public Baths - The Building News, Jan 24th 1896
28. The Saint Joseph the Worker parish in Coventry, by Terence Richards
29. A short history of Coventry's Theatres and Cinemas, by Bill Birch
30. Sixty Years of Cycling - 1897 magazine article
31. The sound that almost killed my Dad in the War!, by Paul Maddocks
32. The Tapestry and its Hidden Secret, by Paul Maddocks
33. Transport Museum pt.1 - How the Queen's 1977 visit sowed the seed, by Paul Maddocks
34. Transport Museum pt.2 - New Hales Street Entrance in 1985, by Paul Maddocks
35. Transport Museum pt.3 - Creating the Blitz Experience, by Paul Maddocks
36. Transport Museum pt.4 - Coventry's Land Speed Record Cars, by Paul Maddocks
37. Transport Museum pt.5 - The 1987 F.A. Cup Winners' Sky Blue Bus, by Paul Maddocks
38. Transport Museum pt.6 - The Royal Cars, by Paul Maddocks
39. Trinity National Schools - Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal, Vol.XVII, 1854
40. What links a Spitfire's landing gear to a baby buggy? by Paul Maddocks
41. What links R2D2 to a Coventry Hydrogen/Electric cab company? by Paul Maddocks
42. Whitefriars Gatehouse and Toy Museum, by Paul Maddocks
43. WW1 and Wyley of Charterhouse, by Paul Maddocks
44. 1930s Austin's Monthly Magazine articles, by John Bailey Shelton MBE
45. Plan for the City Centre - The Architect and Building News, 21st March 1941
 

Proposal for St. Michael's Campanile c1890


The first and last sketches on this page are two detailed drawings by Messrs. Paley & Austin, architects, which appeared in the national magazine, The Builder, on the 20th June 1891. It is apparent from the advanced stage of planning and drawing that we were extremely close to actually having this bell-tower built.

The two articles below are transcripts from local newspapers of that period, and demonstrate the general public feeling towards the proposed project at the time.


COVENTRY HERALD AND FREE PRESS, 20th JUNE 1890

Proposed Campanile 1891

APPROVAL BY ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH COUNCIL.

On Tuesday evening a meeting of St. Michael's Church Council was held in the vestry, under the presidency of the Vicar, for the purpose of discussing the bell question and for other business. There were present Rev. Dr. Mills (vicar), the Revds. C. W. Foster and F. R. Lees; Messrs. A. J. Brookes, J. Astley (church wardens), T. Rickard, J. Dusson and J. A. Palmer.

The Vicar said the Coventry Mercury of that evening was very much ahead in its information on the bell matter. He should like to know if anyone present wished to say anything upon the subject.

Rev. C. W. Foster: What is the present position ?

The Vicar did not know that there was a position. There was a statement in the Mercury, the truth of which he could not guarantee, but he heard it from other quarters, that a gentleman had promised £1,000 towards the new tower, but did not wish his name to be published at present. He saw this in the Mercury, and, as he had said, he had heard it in other directions, but he did not know the gentleman's name. Well, now, the position so far was this ; everybody now knew the bells could not possibly go back to the present tower for ringing purposes : and more than that, there was the highest professional authority for saying that chiming would not be safe above the present groined roof. The result would be, in fact, to wedge the walls outward. Those citizens who had contributed to the restoration would not be willing that chiming should go on below the ceiling and the place be again made a coal-hole of, as it was, before the restoration. Even if the bells were put below the roof, there would not be room enough for the clock and chiming apparatus above. Now, while half the people of Coventry were anxious to hear the bells rung in full peal, the whole of Coventry, without exception, were anxious to have the clock and chimes put back again. (Hear, hear.) The feeling, once strong in favour of the bells going back for chiming, was fast dying away, and some people who had been opposed to a new tower had promised subscriptions towards it.


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28th NOVEMBER 1890

Coventry c1588
Proposed Campanile 1891

THE PROPOSED CAMPANILE FOR ST. MICHAEL'S.

The above sketch is reproduced - through the courtesy of Mr. John Astley - from "W. Smith's Description of England, 1588." It is supposed to show the appearance of Coventry at that period, with the cathedral tower standing. The reproduction was suggested by the visit, last Thursday, of the three architects, who have been consulted as experts in the matter of the proposed belfry. They were Mr. Ewan Christian, Mr. E. Waterhouse, and Mr. Norman Shaw, R.A. They were accompanied by the Vicar, Mr. Woodcock, and other gentlemen.

After viewing the city from several high points at a distance, they proceeded to inspect the newly-restored church and its surroundings. They afterwards expressed their unanimous opinion that a properly designed bell-tower would not only not detract from the beauty and general effect of St. Michael's and Holy Trinity spires, but would add considerably to their present imposing appearance. Mr. Christian thought there could not be too many towers and spires, and instanced London and other places as examples, and Mr. Waterhouse, emphasising the general view expressed, said that the proposition under discussion was "simply an architect's chance - a glorious opportunity."

The architects recommended an altogether different site from any hitherto proposed, the exact position of which is not at present settled, but it is understood that it will be on the north side of the church, about two-thirds of the distance down the churchyard, but not over the avenue. They recommended a plain tower for a storey or two, all ornamentation to be put on the upper storeys, and the bells to be hung at a height of about eighty feet.

Mr. Woodcock intimated that whatever the cost of the tower, he would only ask the citizens to subscribe £5,000, If it cost £10,000 he will contribute half ; if it cost £14,000 he will contribute £9,000, and so on. The architects have not yet presented a formal report, but it is anticipated that there will not be much delay. They recommended that an architect of position be engaged to prepare designs and plans, and to act generally under the direction of the vicar and church wardens, &c., in accordance with the recommendations they will make. It is said that operations will be begun at once. It is mentioned as an interesting fact in connection with the project that 98 years ago there was a meeting in the parish for the purpose of considering the erection of a new bell tower, and for that period the matter has rested.


 
 
 
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