Guestbook - January 2002

I am writing to inquire if anyone remembers an old time boxer named Mick Leahy.

He came to the United States in the 50's and fought in New York. He fought one of the Archer brothers from the States. My mother is his cousin and has not seen nor heard of him since the fight.

According to my mother he was a top fighter of Great Britain. If anyone remembers who he is I would greatly appreciate an email.

All we know is that he lived in Coventry, and is likely to have moved.

Christopher Sweeney < jlkmar@earthlink.net >

[EDITOR : Can anyone help with this? I would be interested to know more]

[31 JAN 02] ALDERMAN HARRIS / ALDERMAN CALLOW

I went to Alderman Harris primary school in Coventry (1973-79) and then on to Alderman Callow secondary school from 1979 to 1984.

I am interested in hearing from any old school friends.

Paul Standbridge < baggytrousers7@aol.com >

[25 JAN 02] LOCARNO / TIFFANYS

I read that there were some artists painting pictures of what the Locarno used to look like - were they put in the library?

My dad used to go to a lot of gigs there when it was Tiffanys - are there any pictures of it?

He's told me a lot about it and I wanted to get a picture of what it looked like.

Mark Slaughter < markskanksterslaughter@btinternet.com >

[EDITOR : Can anyone help with this? If anyone has any old photos we'd be happy to put them on CWN]

[25 JAN 02] EDGAR & BERT WILLIAMS

I am trying to research my family history on my father's side.

My father had 2 uncles from his mother's side of the family named Edgar Williams and Bert Williams.The family originally came from Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire.

I know that they both used to meet my father (Tom James) in the Radford Social and possibly in the Brassworkers.

Any info on their relatives wanted.

Adrian James < kayhannah@btopenworld.com >

[24 JAN 02] DO YOU REMEMBER BRIAN COLEMAN?

I am looking for anyone who remembers a man called Brian Coleman.

There is a surprise 50th birthday bash being held for him at the Tam O' Shanter club, Hertford Place, Coventry on 16 March 2002 starting at 7.30pm.

He went to Priory secondary school, Wheatley Street, Coventry - he was there around 1965 - 1966.

If anyone does remember him please email me or feel free to turn up on the night.

Kelly < kellymoir@aol.com >

[16 JAN 02] FINHAM PARK

I went to Finham Park secondary school in Coventry (1971-75).

Hi to all you 43 year olds, how are you all doing. If any of you remember me please get in touch for a natter.

John Laurie < johclilau@aol.com >

[16 JAN 02] PARK HILL / WOODLANDS

I went to Park Hill primary school in Coventry (left 1974) before going on to Woodlands secondary school (1974-79).

I am looking for anyone from Ellis House that spent those wondeful years with me - apart from the bullies - they need not apply as I am just getting over them (I always was a joker).

My mates from Woodlands included Martin Hendre and Scot O'Brien.

I am particularly trying to find Paul Clarke who used to live in Tile Hill, but then moved to Walsgrave.

If anyone remembers me - or if there are any teachers from those years who would like to see me know (I still have some homework to hand in!) - please contact me.

Michael Smith < sanctuarystones@aol.com >

[15 JAN 02] BRIAN & LISA JARVIS

I am looking for Brian Jarvis and Lisa Jarvis (she may be married now). They lived at 2 Leafield Close, Woodway Lane, Walsgrave, Coventry. They are aged between 25-35

I am searching for Brian and Lisa on behalf of their father Bruce Jarvis who lost touch them some years ago. I would be grateful if you could help.

< JoanneJOAL@aol.com >

[EDITOR : As always with this type of enquiry we feel it better if you do know the people being sought to ask them first before passing on any information about them - remember they may not want to be found!]

[15 JAN 02] COUNDON COURT

I went to Coundon Court School in Coventry (1971-77). I left the area in 1985 and now live in Paignton, Devon.

I would like to hear from anybody who was at school with me and Julie Evans, Sheila Gilbert and Debbie Griffiths.

Joy Lis [née Heggie]  < lis@moneytalks.co.uk >

[14 JAN 02] BABLAKE

I went to Bablake School in Coventry (1950-57).

I left Coventry in 1962 and now live in Hampton, Greater London. I should like to hear from anyone who remembers me.

Allan Hailstone  < aha@globalnet.co.uk >

[14 JAN 02] HILL FARM / BARKER BUTTS

I went to Hill Farm infants and junior schools in Coventry (1949-56) and then on to Barker Butts secondary school (1956-61).

I am looking for photos of Hill Farm and Barkers Butts. I am writing a book about my younger days. I am hoping to take some pictures of my old class room etc.

All I can remember was my teacher's name (Miss Hall), the head(?) was Mr Godard.

Colin Walton  < c.m.walton@btinternet.com >

[14 JAN 02] HOLBROOKS / PRESIDENT KENNEDY

I went to Holbrook Junior School in Coventry (1963-69) and then on to President Kennedy secondary school (1969-74).

My last name was Pennicott until I was 13 years old. I used to walk to school with Annie Gosling. I lived in Holbrooks in Lilley Close until I left school.

If anyone out there remembers it would be nice to hear from you.

Gayle Thomson  < alan@gayles-discount-centre.fsbusiness.co.uk >

[13 JAN 02] STOKE HEATH / SACRED HEART / FREDERICK BIRD

I went to Stoke Heath primary school in Coventry (1941-43) and then Sacred Heart school (1943-47). After that I attended Frederick Bird secondary school (1947-52).

I left Coventry in 1962 and now live in Florida USA.

I would like to contact any of my old school chums, particularly from Frederick Bird, and to learn of the whereabouts of Mr Geoff Bennett, my fourth form teacher, for whom I a great respect forhold.

Larry Broadhurst  < larrybroadhurst@verizon.net >

[08 JAN 02] WHITLEY ABBEY

I went to Whitley Abbey school in Coventry 1978-83. I left the area in 1984 and now live in London.

I just wanted to catch up with anyone who used to know this little shy geeky under-developed Indian kid (me)! A little more grown up now.

Rajesh Panchal  < rajeshpanchal@mac.com >

[08 JAN 02] THE KITCHEN FAMILY

I am trying to trace details of my ancestors, the Kitchen family, on my mother's side.

The family lived at Kingsbury and around that district and were farmers. My grandfather Frank Kitchen owned a farm at Langley Hall, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield and my great grandfather, christian name unknown, owned land at Bodymoor Heath, which is now Aston Villa FC's training gound and also a leisure park.

The names of my aunts and uncles, all christened, I presume, at Walmley Church were, Mary Violet (my mother), Joyce, Robert, William, Brenda, Emily and Frank. Another, Barbara, died at age 14 around about 1936.

Thanks for your help

Brian Sampson  < brian@sampson120.freeserve.co.uk >
Devon

[08 JAN 02] GREETINGS FROM SINGAPORE

I studied at Warwick University in 1984 and subsequently switched to study at Coventry Polytechnic between 1985 and 1988 doing a degree in Civil Engineering.

Occasionally, I still dream of the countryside around Warwick University and the evening walks to Kenilworth for a bite and a drink. I also missed the four seasons which you do not get in sunny and sometimes rainy Singapore.

If anyone knows of me, please contact me at the address below.

Warmest regards

Wai Meng, NG  < howmng@singnet.com.sg  /  wai.meng@citex.com >
Singapore

[08 JAN 02] MOSELEY AVENUE / BARKER BUTTS

I went to Moseley Avenue Primary School in Coundon 1945-52, then on to Barkers Butts Secondary 1952-56.

I left Coventry in 1966 and now live in Auckland, New Zealand.

It would be great to hear news of old school friends such as Roger Hollings, Leslie Mattocks, Micheal Bocock, Brian Moss and Bob Cottroll.

One of the teachers I remember was T O Davies.

Robert (Bob) Downes  < rdownes@cityproducts.co.nz >
www.cityproducts.co.nz

[06 JAN 02] STOKE LODGE / WOODWAY PARK

I attended Stoke Lodge School from 1976 to 1982 then Woodway Park from 1982 to 1984.

At Stoke Lodge my best friend was Amanda Garner but I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me. I've always wondered what happened to: Andrew Swayze, Christopher Peacock, Russell Graham, James Scott, Sarah Bailey, Hayley Goldberg, Nicole Froggit, Naomi Jones, Tanya Moore... boy the list goes on.

I attended Woodway Park during my last 2 years of school and hung around with Julie Harris, Gaynor Hacking and Janice Peterson to name a few.... Are you out there?

I'd also love to hear from my old mates of Walsgrave, Lorraine and Steven Nye, Barry McAfee, Carl Lynch, Roger Burns, Steve Cohen and his sister Paula.

Hopefully this message will catch the eye of someone whose name I mentioned (or knows of them).

Alison Brownlee  < ukalison68@hotmail.com >

[03 JAN 02] WALSGRAVE C OF E SCHOOL

I went to Walsgrave C of E primary school 1960-71.

I started school in the old school building (now demolished). My first teacher was Mrs Betty Jackson (later head of Richard Lee). My mother was a teacher at the school and the head was Mr Wilitts. I also went to Holland with the school although I was at senior school by then.

Stephen Jones  < louise.jones6@free4internet.com >

[03 JAN 02] WHITLEY ABBEY SCHOOL

Hiya, I went to Whitley Abbey school between 1976 and 1983. That's right 8 years! I did 3 years of sixth form.

I remember Roxanne Johnson very well. She was fluent in French and I was insanely jealous. Lol!

Jackie Pryke  < JackiePryke@btinternet.com >

[03 JAN 02] FLYING THE FLAG

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I recently visited Coventry for a period of three weeks. I was born and raised in Coventry and have always been proud of my birthright. To this end, I have always lauded the UK, and particularly Coventry, to my many friends and acquaintances here in the USA.

I was however extremely disappointed during my last visit. As you are aware, Americans are a proud race of people also, particularly when it comes to the Stars and Stripes. You can always see the flag flying not only on private homes and vehicles, but every civic building also flies the flag. There are probably far more races of people living here in the United States than any other country in the world, yet they all accept the Stars and Stripes without question.

My main disappointment was to note that no flag flies over the council house, or any other civic building for that matter. I did take the time to drive around Coventry, and noted that one or two public houses and I believe one auto factory were flying the Union Jack. I did go into the council house to ask why their was no flag, and was advised by the receptionist, that it was only flown on very special occasions!

I also learned, that a homeowner may be in violation of the law should they dare fly the Union Jack, without first obtaining 'permission' from the city council's planning department.

I also read, that certain city councils had actually taken their flag down, in deference to those persons of an ethnic background, in order not to upset them. Maybe this is the case with Coventry Council, maybe the illegal aliens entering from various points in Europe in the back of trucks complained.

I would dearly love to see Coventry set the pace with the rest of the country, and start a flag campaign, starting with all civic and municipal buildings, and encouraging the citizens of Coventry, to fly their flag with pride.

It would also show the British troops on duty in various war zones, that the people of Coventry are behind them 100%.

Sincerely,

Larry Broadhurst  < larrybroadhurst@verizon.net >
Florida, USA

PS :  I do fly the Union Jack below my Stars and Stripes, atop a 20' pole in my front yard, 24 hours a day and it is illuminated between sundown and sunup.

[03 JAN 02] LOOKING FOR RELATIVES

I was born in Coventry on 15 December 1945. My mother's name was Joan Mavis Radburn. She was married to a US soldier in 1945. His name was Jack Billings.

I know I have relatives in Coventry, but I can't find them, as both my parents are deceased. My mother had a brother named Fred,and some sisters.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Jack Billings  < jackbpeanut@aol.com >

[28 DEC 05] WANTING TO CONTACT JACK BILLINGS

Jack, I am able to help with finding your relatives. But your AOL email address does not seem to work - please email me.

Ian Fraser  < ifraser@mountaincable.net >