COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Mr Dutchman,sir. I am wondering if you know anything about a large house that was behind houses in Bedford St/Rd off Albany Rd.I am asking because one of my sons has bought a flat there for investment. Been many years since I was there but I am sure that there was derelict house in that location. Everyone is saying that I am mistaken, perhaps I am????

There was previously a gap between Nos. 12 and 17 and a large building behind them next to the railway line. At different times it was a watch factory, engineering workshop and by the 1950s had become a garage. It predates all the houses in the area and at one time stood in total isolation.

Thanks for reply. It was the sort of place that could have been driven past without noticing it. After dropping my wife off at the hairdressers in Broomfield Rd I would go round the block there to turn round and had noticed the building. Its a shame that another part of the old Coventry is no more.

This is the earliest aerial view I could find from 1920. It was offically The Captain Motor Rim Company (detachable rim makers) but to me looks more like an L-shaped row of terraced houses, presumably the erstwhile Nos.13-16:

Thanks. Yes it does look like an L shaped block of houses, that is almost how I remember it. On the other hand it did have the appearance of a small industrial premises. Those three floored houses in your picture reminded me of the house In Leigh St that we rented when I first got married. That house had a window that filled the outside wall so plenty of light but very cold in winter. On the other walls there were benches fixed to the walls, I have no idea of the original purpose. I bolted my small Myford lathe to one bench and spent many hours ruining bits of wood and brass. Happy days.