THE BEAUTY OF COVENTRY | Old & new & in-between. Does it deserve so much negativity?

[@darbaradarbara5576]

Went to both of the cathedrals today. The new cathedral is absolutely stunning, incredible architecture and design. After all these years it still has not dated. Please go inside and take a look, it is breath taking, I did not want to leave!

[@AidanEyewitness]

I went inside the new cathedral, I love it. It’s a contemporary take on an ancient type of building. I love it, though some people are not so keen :(

[@frankieelen7238]

I watched the new Cathedral being built. Week on week we worshipped in the crypt of the old Cathedral until we could move into the undercroft of the new Cathedral. @@AidanEyewitness

[@abigail-rosereeve1185]

I've lived here in Cov all my life, I'm only 19 but the city centre from my childhood is much different to what's there now. As a child, my mum would take me and my sister roller skating every Saturday evening, this was held in the elephant building portion of the leisure centre. One time, we accidentally ended up one floor below the sports hall where the skating was, and we found some sort of indoor bowls green. One floor above that sports hall (you could still see in from a balcony/walkway kind of in the wall of the hall) was my favourite place to go as a small child; a soft play area made to feel like a jungle. The main building, the glass walkway and the elephant had large stickers on the walls to point the children in the direction of the soft play area, and even had colourful footprint stickers all along the route. Whenever we'd pass through the main building to get to the elephant, the smell of chlorinated water and a distinct temperature change would always smack us in the face as we passed by the upper level seating area for the pool. I remember taking swimming lessons in the pool of the main building, going swimming with my friends, going roller skating in that hall, attending half term activity days and even birthday parties in that same hall. I remember the smell inside the elephant vividly; a mix of cleaning products and sweat. Noticeable, but not off-putting. I also remember having to carry my skates in a bag as me, my sister and my mum wearily trudged down the stairwell after an hour or so of skating and exiting the building through one of the elephant's legs, into the small car park below. The walls all throughout the elephant were brick, but with a thick globbing of blue paint. The wall along the outside of the sports hall had a large spray painted mural depicting key events of the Olympics (mostly from 2012) and on the other side were the toilets. It was a cramped corridor when busy, but felt quite open in quieter times. I know there was more than what I'm able to describe within that building, but I hope that gives a better insight for you on what it was like before being closed down :)

[@AidanEyewitness]

Wow, your description is absolutely brilliant. It gives us a glimpse of the inside of a building that has been closed for a long time. Is it going to be demolished? It's great to hear about your routine and your impressions of the city centre as it was. Yours is one of the best comments I've received, and glad to see a few younger people are looking at my channel. Your description is so detailed and observes so many fine details. Very well written. Many many thanks!

[@craigdoran6811]

The big black n white distopian tower or mercia house was my home for 6 years! I loved my years in there, it had the most fantastic view looking up the precinct into broadgate and the cathedral spire beyond. I miss living there and if i were to move back to coventry id love my old apartment back!!!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Great to hear from you and interesting to hear you liked living in that tall building. Always great to hear first hand accounts of people who live or have lived in the buildings I feature. Many thanks.

[@pigeon_the_brit565]

in my opinion, what happened to coventry by its own local govermant was nothing short of horrific. They took a damaged but history filled city and killed it, finishing what the luftwaffe started, demolishing many precious medieval buildings that had made coventry famous. today it is a car infested concrete jungle with little joy to be found in anything that was built in the last 70 years. I spent 5 years of my life being driven through it to get to school, and it was allways depressing looking out of the window. Especially now, since i've started learn how awesome it used to be.

[@AidanEyewitness]

It’s true, in the pre-war pictures Coventry was a magical place. The same is true in Germany. Dresden was rebuilt in a Soviet style not dissimilar from the British post was style. The centre of Dresden has been rebuilt but it will never be the same place it was before 13 Feb 1945. Similar is true of Coventry. But in recent years both cities have improved. We have to make the best of the present, but not forget the past.

[@ians3586]

This video is very well done. I love the fast pace and beautiful photography. It really shows Coventry in a positive light. The ring road is unfortunate but there are things that can be done to mitigate the negative effects. In Dallas there used to be a section of freeway, called “The Canyon” that bisected downtown from uptown. The city covered over this section with Klyde Warren Park which has become a focal point for the city and has been so successful they are spending millions building another section.

[@notyhbynorthwest]

Blimey, this is not what I expected! I have only been into the city of Coventry once, way back in the 1970's while at college studying design. It was very bleak, very windy and very cold while I was there, accentuating that all my preconceived notions about the place were 100% confirmed. So, this is a really pleasant surprise to see that a bleak, featureless concrete jungle can indeed be radically improved. It even looks....colorful.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for your feedback on this video. Coventry certainly looks a lot better than before. They have done a lot to improve the soulless, insensitive and depressing environment created by the planners of the 1960s. Coventry will never equal Florence or Granada, but it is a very special city that has been through the trauma of wartime bombardment and post-war planning and is somehow - like Elton John - still standing!

[@marcelwiszowaty1751]

​@@AidanEyewitnessInteresting side note though... the redevelopment of the city centre was in fact planned *before* WW2. Those plans are remarkably similar to what we see today and ironically the devastation during the war actually helped with the demolition of some of the older buildings.

[@timconstable7348]

Thank you for a well put together and fair overview of my home city, born nearly 70 years ago and lived here most of my life. I think you've overstated a bit about the ring-road being a barrier. It was INTENDED to keep traffic out of the city centre, has done a good job of that, while access to the centre has always been easily available, not least on foot - as you have discovered! I remember my home city as a place of freshness and excitement from the 60s, 70s and 80s. But town planning since then has, in my opinion, been a bit of a disaster, mostly due to economic problems with the decline of the home-grown motor trade (Coventry was wealthy as the detriot-like 'motown' of the UK). For example, Broadgate (the main centre) was considerably larger than it is now, a well-manicured garden. Then Cathedral Lanes had to be built! I think over the years the council/ city architects have neglected to maintain the post-war heritage of what was very advanced thinking of the time.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks very much, lots of interesting insights there, and a positive view of the work of the town planners of the post war era. Many people take a dim view. My contact in Coventry, who lives there, made a big point about the ring road acting as a barrier, so I was reflecting his viewpoint. To me a highway always acts as a barrier - like the Mancunian Way in Manchester. In some US cities, they've dismantled the highway to restore connectivity on both sides. Many thanks for your very interesting comment!

[@pusbccfc]

Most underrated city in England. Everchanging but full of character

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, its reputation suffered because of the post war modern-style reconstruction, but there have been many improvements in recent years. Sadly no comparison to the pre-Blitz city, but life must go on.

[@ians3586]

I think "The Wave" is my favourite modern building featured. I really like the iridescent green façade that does a good job of representing what's inside.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes it looks great. I read that it is partly responsible for the closure of the sports complex of which ‘The Elephant’ is a part

[@marcelwiszowaty1751]

There is one building which deserves some attention IMHO. That's Coventry University's Engineering and Computing faculty, a striking metal and glass construction which is unlike anything I've seen elsewhere (I happen to live nearby) In fact the University has grown in leaps and bounds over recent years, hence the increase in dedicated student accommodation. It's worth noting though that the University authorities have demolished two uninspiring older 60s buildings to create open spaces which benefit all Coventrians. In doing so they're opening up a vista on both Cathedrals from Cox Street, on the other side of which sits the new "golden" extension to the Arts and Humanities faculty.

[@AidanEyewitness]

I'll have to follow that up on a future visit to Coventry, many thanks for flaggin git up. I've just done a search and found photos of it, it looks incredible. I'd really like to feature it. I've put it on the list for a future visit. Many many thanks!

[@marcelwiszowaty1751]

@@AidanEyewitness You're welcome!

[@ms.kayak7seas]

Hi and thanks, AidanEyewitness for sharing. I had to look it up online for "Coventry" in England, and the result was "It is now one of the best places to live in the UK." And oddly the definition of "Coventry" is a state of banishment; ostracism. As you mentioned, there are many of modern buildings in the city/town, just next to the historical architecture, the rich architecture meets the modern architecture.---4;02. The statute over the contemporary-looking bridges---9;48, and an elephant-shaped building. Coventry's symbols are an elephant and a lady on a horse. May I ask what an elephant stands for in this city besides that building? Anything related to India? I cannot deny the increasing modern architecture in this world due to seeking energy efficiency and safety. I wish there is a way to repurpose the old building though if possible and just hope for modern architects to mind/consider visualizing both new and old blending as they plan/design. I appreciate you throwing a question on this matter to the audience, especially since this is happening all over the world. Without it, history will be lost forever. Well done. Another successful film. 🙋‍♀🙋‍♀🛶🛶

[@AidanEyewitness]

I'm not sure where the elephant symbol came from. There is an explanation here but it doesn't seem clear and conclusive to me. www.coventry.gov.uk/lord-mayor/history-civic-life/2 The real reason might be forgotten. The Lady Godiva story is based on real events. I really enjoyed my visit to Coventry and I will be going back there soon. It's very interesting how, in Japan, old and new are blended. Ancient temples stand next to futuristic towers. I think that's great! Japan is a wonderful country, in our family, we all love it and hope to return there some day. Many thanks for your thoughtful comments and for your positive words!

[@ms.kayak7seas]

@@AidanEyewitness And thank YOU always for educating me. I heard a story about one castle in Japan that was demolished and rebuilt a new castle to exhibit because of the safety/building codes. It does not make sense from my perspective, especially since I praise JP's unique carpentry. (My father was an architect.)

[@AidanEyewitness]

@@ms.kayak7seas That’s very interesting about your dad being an architect. Many thanks. I am a tutor in languages - German and French so I like to educate people!

[@grantbale8068]

The elephant symbolizes 'strength'. The phrase 'sent to Coventry' a term of banishment, dates back to the English civil war. Coventry was then a walled City. If you collaborated against the King you would be literally 'Sent to Coventry'. There, you would be branded with a hot iron, contained within the City walls and completely shunned by the locals...nice!

[@AidanEyewitness]

@@grantbale8068 Many thanks for that explanation of ‘sent to Coventry’. I’d better not fight against the King as I might get sent to Coventry. :) Actually it’s quite a nice place nowadays. The city walls have been replaced by a ring road!

[@broadgategnomefilms]

And one ring road to bind them all. Coventry has a plasticine history . Thank you for an excellent film.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for the positive appraisal!

[@2989andyd1]

I grew up in Coventry. I suppose the ring road was always going to be unlovely. Some essential amenities - a steelworks, an oil refinery perhaps - these may be extreme examples but they are just not going to be lovely, and a ring road is no different. The city's postwar planners had a great idea - to relieve the city centre of traffic. It's important to remember that that's what they were trying to do. You're right about the barrier it creates - I crossed that barrier regularly growing up. These days a ring road would be built much further out, perhaps a 20km or 25km outer ring road rather then the inner ring there is now. But again, think of those postwar planners, working during a period of challenging postwar austerity. Perhaps a longer, outer ring road was financially out of reach, or would have meant diverting funds from the visionary future they imagined for Coventry. It's interesting to note that many Coventrians don't mourn the loss of the prewar, medieval city, probably because few remember it. Many like me remember with fondness the new, pedestrian, postwar city - an architectural unity with Spence's cathedral as the centrepiece, to be celebrated as a whole solution - yes, Mercia House and all - as a coherent, integrated, living, working city. It's what happened after 1980 that really ruined everything.

[@AidanEyewitness]

A very interesting perspective. Quite different from those I’ve received so far. Many thanks 😊

[@anthonyphilips7171]

Once again, another interesting video. I personally think that "that building" as you called it, Mercia House, would look more at home at NASA then East Berlin as its outline resembled the building from which the Saturn 5 rockets used to emerge

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes although the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center is 160 metres high and doesn’t have any windows. The proportions are similar though. Many thanks for the positive words.

[@stevem-h3562]

Born and raised in Cov. Born during the industrial era and watched that die and left in 1983. I appreciate that places have to change and evolve. The problem with Cov is that the local authority keeps on screwing with things that it really shouldnt particularly the city centre/inside the ring road where they should leave it the hell alone and concentrate on the post-industrial areas that really need the regeneration or demolition and dealing with once and for all, particularly the areas that were previously mining communities or ones that were held together by long gone heavy industry., ie Hillfields, Willenhall, Stoke Aldermoor, Wood End, etc. Too much of Coventry is too dangerous and lawless as I and my family moved out or have died off over the years, I have nothing to go back to Coventry for. Funnily enough, I dont think the east German comparison is unwarranted. Especially as it is likely to carry with it connotations of the Soviet era. What made me more sad than anything was that from the outside looking back in, there were no end of times the city tried to get back on its feet and was delivered blow after proverbial blow by a changing world - be it de-industrialisation, globalisation, or other fads and phases. It only seems that with the expansion and prolifaration of the once Lanchester Polytechnic, now as Coventry University, seems to be pushing it forward as a city of learning, which is one that maybe might give it a chance of rebirth. I had great hopes for the City Of Culture as it had proven to be a real shot in the arm for Glasgow and Liverpool in particular, both of whom had had a difficult time in making the transition out of the heavy industry era. Alas, due to the events of the last 3 years, I'm not sure that opportunity has been taken. its an interesting place to visit, thats for sure. But would I ever live there again, despite an indelible connection with it? Not for all the tea in China....

[@AidanEyewitness]

Wow, that's a very insightful and unforgettable appraisal. I can't really comment! I'll let your post speak for itself! Thanks very much for getting in touch!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Christchurch next to the Wave reminded me of Birmingham.

[@AidanEyewitness]

The steeple was all that remained of the church but one of the nice aspects of Coventry is the presence of three church steeple on the skyline.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

The cathedral ruin is a chilling reminder. How bizarre and horrible to hear of that German verb associated with Coventry.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, the ruined cathedral is a powerful memorial to WW2. The architect of the new cathedral Sir Basil Spence was adamant that he wanted to keep the ruin and build a new cathedral next to it. I think it was a good decision. As for the infamous verb, apparently it was Josef Goebbels who thought it up. I didn't want to mention his name in the video.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@AidanEyewitness good decision. Some people shouldn’t be named 😉

[@broadgategnomefilms]

This was a response to the "Whitleyed "remark bandied about after British raids on German cities. The Bombers were named after the the area of the City where the aircraft factories were. Creating new verbs became a fad for a while. "Coventralised" Covented . Coventried. Coventralated mostly about city planning. Recoventrilated was used when the powers that be decided that they needed a new " Godiva". originally a festival to bring masses of visitors to spend as much as possible. The message used to be "" The cathedral undercroft used to be " The International Centre" part of a active youth world wide project. Its now a " blitz" museum! NO mention. though, of Churchill's list of Important towns and buildings that would be destroyed before The USA came into war. ( Hence "Self Sacrifice")

[@AidanEyewitness]

@@broadgategnomefilms Thanks for that extra information. It helps to put things into context.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I hadn’t heard about highways becoming local roads with 🚦… interesting!🤔

[@AidanEyewitness]

It was in the KZbin channel CityBeautiful, maybe somewhere in the Boston area. By 'dissolving' the highway, it meant that the communities on either side could become continuous again. I'm very interested in the development of New York highways and the influence of Robert Moses with his plans for highways cutting through Manhattan that thankfully were never built. The campaigner was his arch-enemy. What was here name....?

[@paulmason6474]

I like how they have at least tried. Didn’t like those coloured tiles. If they had pulled all those ugly buildings down they might of put some ghastly modern lifeless towers ( look at Manchester). Good on them for trying.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks as ever for your comment.I think Coventry is fine. They'll never bring back pre-war Coventry but the new one is at least slowly improving. The city seems to be doing well and there's a positive vibe.

[@ians3586]

Wow that shopping centre is colourful! I'm sorry but I think the Britannia Hotel looks beyond redemption. I really have an aversion to concrete as a surface for buildings. There's already so much of it being used in infrastructure and, as grey as many days are in the UK, concrete buildings just contribute to an atmosphere of dreariness. Perhaps the elephant building should be listed but I can't believe the main building of the leisure complex is listed. I don't think it deserves its listing. It's bland and ugly like another listed modern building, St. Paul's Cathedral School. However, at least it isn't blighting the view of one of the UK's most beautiful and iconic buildings.

[@AidanEyewitness]

I remember you told me about covering over the highway in Dallas. The coloured windows were an attempt to mitigate the greyness. I think it works. As for the Britannia Hotel, I was just imagining what it would be like if it were grand new again. In Manchester they painted two concrete sides of City Tower with a special concrete mix that hardens and is weather-resistant. It still looks good nearly 20 years later.

[@abigail-rosereeve1185]

don't be fooled by the coloured glass roof; the entire place reeks of urine! I frequently pass through there to get from the bus station to the train station and the smell is the first thing that hits you, not the pretty colours...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I guess I am too OLD to move to Coventry 🤣.

[@AidanEyewitness]

You could apply to study as a mature student and then you could join in all the parties, all night visits to clubs and endless boozing sessions and pub crawls but I have a feeling that's not your style! :)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@AidanEyewitness haha no thanks ☺️

[@abigail-rosereeve1185]

don't you worry... They're turning basically any large green patch into housing estates now. Though these are a bit of a distance away from the city centre so you'd have to get the bus- oh, wait. I forgot that the bus services here tend to be unreliable... But don't you worry! You can always park your car in one of the car parks in town, if you're willing to pay with your kidneys each time...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@abigail-rosereeve1185 lol, you are making it sound even less appealing!

[@paulbroderick8438]

No attempt whatsoever to recognize, or appreciate, the original medieval building structures all in the name of drab, dumb modernization. Seems to me that the city planners glorified in being able to construct soulless shoe box shaped buildings to their hearts content at the end of WW2. Greeting from a Brit, raised in Coventry, now residing in the USA.

[@AidanEyewitness]

The planners in the 50s and 60s regarded modernist architecture as the answer to all of societies ills. Instead, their architecture ended up creating a whole lot of new ills and being a blight on cities.

[@abigail-rosereeve1185]

Most of the new buildings are student accommodation... They're even knocking down the pigeon cage (city arcade) and the entire market to make way for a "more modern and open" look. The plan is to turn half of the space into MORE student accommodation, the other half will go to 'affordable housing' and a few shops. The plan is to add more greenery and make the space feel almost like a park. The demolition extends to the bull yard and basically just that entire lower quarter of the whole city centre.

[@JohnnyZenith]

Coventry city centre like Plymouth is a horrible shadow of what it was. Horrible. It makes me very upset when I see what was lost. At least Plymouth has lovely suburbs and the sea. I do not miss my visit to Coventry at all. In no way does the new Coventry Cathedral equal the old.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Well I can see from old photos that pre-Blitz Coventry was very different to how it looks today. I've not been to Plymouth, I must visit some time. Personally I am very impressed by the new Coventry Cathedral, though it's not easy to compare with the old one without stepping into a time machine. That's something I'd love to do. Until then, we have old photos! Many thanks.

[@apathyintheuk265]

It wasn't built in competition! What an absurd comment, 'equal'.

[@darwinsfish]

Ruined the cathedral aspect from Broadgate with that horrible brick building.

[@AidanORourke]

You are referring to Cathedral Lanes shopping centre. I'm glad you flagged this up as I am not from Coventry and have no personal memories of that area. A quick look online and I found photos of the old Broadgate, which in the 50s had a lawn with the Lady Godiva statue in the middle. On the east side were temporary shops with bus stops. The temporary shops were demolished in 1974 and there was some pedestrianisation. Then the lawn was dug up, the statue was moved and Cathedral Lanes shopping centre opened in 1990. I understand it wasn't very successful and the canopy over the statue was controversial and was later removed. The problem is that nice views don't make money. Empty spaces in cities tend to be filled with commercial development. The design of the centre looks very dated now. Shame they couldn't have left a space, like in London where a space was left to allow a view of Westminster Cathedral. There are some very good before and after photos on this page www.historiccoventry.co.uk/nowandthen/content.php?pg=precinct-aerial Many thanks for commenting!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks - I replied to your comment from my old channel! I'll leave it there. Thanks again for commenting.

[@daveweiss5647]

Sorry bit the modern architecture is tragic... especially considering what was there before... if only they had rebuilt the medieval city...

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, the old photos show the centre of Coventry as a marvellous survival of medieval times. In Germany they rebuilt their destroyed Altstädte - old towns. Unfortunately not in Coventry

[@tomharris5169]

absolute boghole

[@AidanEyewitness]

You can't just make a statement like that without giving examples and reasons. Explain yourself, please!

[@tomharris5169]

@@AidanEyewitness I lived there for 2 years, I think that's reason enough for me to have that opinion.

[@AidanEyewitness]

@@tomharris5169 Many thanks for replying. Can you mention what things about Coventry you were’t happy with? We need to hear all shades of opinion. :)