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Shanty town

Thu Aug 31, 2017 12:22 pm

Does anyone remember Coventry's 'Shanty town' of the late 40s and early 50s? It sprawled across the area from the Job Centre,over Little Park St to Much Park St and beyond.. I once mentioned this on 'The Dark Side' ( CHF ) but no one remembered it. I recall it well as I had an apprenticeship with Radio Rentals as an electronics engineer, (radio repairer), We had practical work in the upstairs area of what is now the Job Centre.. Day dreaming, I would look over Shanty Town and the clutter of old busses, sheds, tents and anything that could provide some sort of accommodation.... So, does anyone remember it?

Re: Shanty town

Thu Aug 31, 2017 12:40 pm

Before my time Jock.

Re: Shanty town

Thu Aug 31, 2017 1:31 pm

Thank you for your reply Mr Re-Bonk. I was addressing my query, not to those in their first bloom of youth but to those who are a bit torn and tattered, those similar to myself.
However, I do appreciate your reply. TY, Jock Strapp

Re: Shanty town

Thu Aug 31, 2017 1:41 pm

I have heard of it but pictures are rare. This is a grainy zoomed-in aerial view of the area from 1949:
Image

I believe that during the war Little Park Street was the site of a caravan park for people displaced by the bombing.

Re: Shanty town

Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:35 am

Another view of Shanty Town.
When all the tents etc had gone a few small workshops took over. I was interested in photography and I had inherited a Boots triple extension 1/2 plate camera. No shutter, exposure was done with a lens cap. The focusing screen was missing so I took a piece of glass and had it shot blasted at one of those workshops, cost six pence. Worked perfectly.

Image

Re: Shanty town

Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:12 pm

Thanks Jock :thumbsup:

The caption says the shanty town was between Much Park Street and Little Park Street but I'm pretty sure it was between Little Park Street and Cheylesmore.

Here's another picture from 1949, by 1953 the area had been cleared:
Image

Re: Shanty town

Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:53 pm

You are correct Dutchman but I think that it sprawled beyond Little Park St.
By the way, my wife thinks that Hertz Van Rental is a Dutch painter.

Re: Shanty town

Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:07 pm

Jock Strapp wrote:By the way, my wife thinks that Hertz Van Rental is a Dutch painter.
:lol:

Re: Shanty town

Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:06 pm

Image
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