Legend of Blitzkid

[Blitzkid]

Now, the Navigation canal when built, never entered Coventry at any point, it followed the city's outskirts all the way. Not until 1925 - when Foleshill became part of Coventry - did it become known as Coventry canal. It was Hawkesbury canal until 1925. Hawkesbury ran from Exhall to Bell Green. That’s why the Navigation pub at Courthouse Green was on the outskirts of the city, the pub had stable accommodation and feed when first built.

[rebbonk]

Thank you, Blitzkid.

Always interested to hear about the canals.

[Blitzkid]

NOW THE WHITE LION HOTEL at 50 Smithford Street.

With the war over in 1920 decided they would extend their business so they bought land next door and behind. They pulled the old building down and rebuilt a complete new Hotel, new stables behind and a coach lane next too. Opened in 1921. With the railway improving, they could ferry business class clients by running a horse and coach business as well. They took the adverts off the face of the Hotel and put beautiful artistic mosaic adverts in the pavement.

1933: Hitler came to power, called it a fascist state, made conscription. England became a debating country. The White Lion took note for more business.

1934: Listened to what Charles Lindbergh was saying that the Germans had the greatest air force in the world, they could never be beaten. So they refurbished No.50 putting a cheap wooden bay window on the second floor for the Landlord Lounge, removed the artistic adverts to do so. Put cheaper adverts in the pavement. Built a complete extension at 51 as joint Hotel with another bar, large kitchens, restaurant, function room and rooms for live-in staff. The new Fascist party took over the function room, created hate and violence.

1939: The leaders of the fascist party were imprisoned, first removing any trace of their connection that might harm Germany.

1940: Number 50 was so severely damaged that Bomb disposal made the Council rail it off. The brewery did not want it to vanish, they had great plans for it when we won the war.

1942: They patched it up, placed a shaky gallery in the landlord's broken lounge, placed the plans of what they would rebuild (unfortunately the mods of Coventry History forum deleted the private Photograph of the Gallery) but I did see this Gallery. They built wooden steps in the destroyed Number 51 a hole through the shaky wall led into the Gallery, this can be seen in the aftermath of the war Photos.

[Blitzkid]

I have now started to write about Brighton and London, the race track gangs of the fifties and the lifestyles of those times. Did you know that 6000 people died from the smog in London in 1953, that Billy Hill came out of prison in 1949? He was top gang boss of the criminal world in London and I was witness to some of the knife fights. Oh, well, a long time ago and now only a memory.

[rebbonk]

Blitzkid,

Whatever your memories, please share them. :thumbs-up: