Coventry 1984

A series of 28 original photos taken in Coventry in 1984.
These photos were used in a slide show as part of the 1984 Coventry Polytechnic Lent Service in the Chapel of the Cross beneath the old cathedral.
The photos, taken in black and white, are intentionally quite somber and thought provoking in-keeping with their use in the Lent service.
Forty years after taking the photos, areas which were once derelict have been redeveloped.

[@Narcolepzzzzzzzz]

Photo at 2:47 was taken in a huge dicrepit shed at the Canal Basin. There was also an old MG convertible there in a similar state. I took a very similar photo back in 1982/83!

[@Dandy4777]

That is one of my favourite photos in the set because of the light coming through the rusted shed which gives it a nice feel. Fortunately I did a good quality print of it at the time and then scanned it in and used it in a camera club competition a few years ago and the judge recognised straightaway as a VW Karman Ghia.

[@grahamforster9517]

Love the Bowie, track.

[@robertgould1411]

Sad old place my hometown, I wake every morning to beautiful countryside views in Canada now. It seems like another life since I lived there...

[@Dandy4777]

Although it wasn't my hometown, when I finished my degree at the Lanch I chose to stay in Coventry and ended up living there for 17 happy years. I now live about 20 miles away from Coventry but I still visit regularly. I have happy memories of my time in Coventry in the 1980s, and perhaps strangely, I enjoyed my time in Coventry more after I left college spending much of my time at The Dog & Trumpet - great nights, great fun.

[@colincoulter4931]

It had areas that needed improvement I agree but still better than today in my opinion.

[@Dandy4777]

It probably is 'better' today, but like many people I have a nostalgia for the time I enjoyed living there and, in my case, that was the 1980s - when I was younger and life more interesting.

[@gr328]

Most cities looked pretty similar in the early 80s, people seem to have forgotten.

[@Dandy4777]

Sad, but true. They were grim times in many respects.

[@holydiver73]

You should come back now, it looks ten times worse than your flattering pictures.

[@Dandy4777]

I still visit regularly, some parts are better than they were. I think the 80s were a pretty grim time for most large towns and cities.

[@lythalls]

Give one example of what is worse now .