Old and New

Coventry cathedral - Old and new. Well Newish!

The old cathedral on the left was demolished on 14th November 1940 when much of Coventry was destroyed by 515 Luftwaffe bombers - only one of which was shot down. 568 people are known to have been killed and over 1,000 injured. 4,300 homes were destroyed.

The new cathedral was designed by sir Basil Spence and the foundation stone laid by Queen Elizabeth in 1956.

In the old cathedral, a cross of nails made from nails found in a beam after the bombing was placed at the alter, but has since moved to the new cathedral. Another cross of nails was donated to Berlin and a third was carried on HMS Coventry when it was sunk on 25th May 1982 (resulting in the loss of 19 lives).

I have lived in or close to Coventry since 1979. I remember the last event vividly. Many clouds have been cast across the city over many years, but that day was a black day indeed.

The area around the cathedral has been developed over recent years to bring it up to a standard worthy of its status.

I worked for many years just 200 yards from this point and climbed those steps several times a day. It has changed quite a bit over 30 years.

Our family relationship with this location continues. Jamie is at University which is just behind where I took this image.

I took this image as I was collecting him this evening (He's home to do Mother's Day duties). He has been helping with University open days and was today asked to become a University Student Advocate. For this he gets paid - Hurray. My son finally has a paid job!