Earlsdon, Coventry
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  Map sources for Earlsdon, Coventry at grid reference SP3177
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Earlsdon is a suburb of Coventry, England. It is the birth place of aviation pioneer Frank Whittle.
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[edit] History
In the mid-1800s Earlsdon was a hub of activity for the rising watch-making trade. Even as this industry began to decline, Earlsdon continued to grow, and was incorporated into the city of Coventry in 1890. The watch-making trade is represented by the clock on the roundabout at the bottom of the high street, where Earlsdon Avenue North and South join.
In 1897 the opening of Albany Road, named after HRH the Duchess of Albany who visited Coventry in November the following year, allowed for far greater access to and from the rest of the city and development in Earlsdon quickly increased. By 1918 the area was fully developed as it is today and has seen little redevelopment since, although in recent years the former factory on Warwick Street has been demolished to make way for a large block of flats. Author Jonathon Coe wrote about Earlsdon in one of his novels.
Today, Earlsdon is a large, high-density suburban residential area, housing the largest 'student village' in Coventry, with many students from both Coventry University and the University of Warwick living in the area.
In August 2006 following a torrential downpour of rain, the main street of Earlsdon suffered from serious flooding. Many businesses were affected, including the Royal Oak public house, which was forced to close for several months for repairs.
[edit] Places of interest
The hub of Earlsdon is what is locally referred to as the "High Street", in reality Earlsdon Street. This is a strip of commercial units that includes a number of restaurants and pubs. The streets off the high street consist of rows of terraced houses and a few small shops. To the south is the War Memorial Park, the north is Hearsall Common, and west is Canley Ford.
Frank Whittle, the jet pioneer, was born in Earlsdon, and his house on Newcombe Road has a blue plaque on it. He attended the school in Earlsdon and was apparently inspired to pursue a career in engineering after seeing aircraft land on Hearsall Common. The story goes that a plane came into land and blew his hat off, giving him the idea for the jet engine.
[edit] Arts and culture
Earlsdon has its own theatre, the Criterion, that puts on about seven shows a year. Its patron was the actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne, who was born in Coventry. The current patrons are Pete Waterman, music producer and railway preservationist, born in Coventry and Ron Cook, stage and screen actor of Thunderbirds and Doctor Who fame, who first acted as an amateur at the Criterion.
The high street boasts several expensive restaurants, as well as charity shops and pubs, and at the bottom of the high street is Earlsdon Library, one of several branches in the Coventry suburbs.
There is also an annual "Earlsdon Festival", that takes place on Hearsall Common during the May bank holiday. Earlsdon also hosts rugby, golf and tennis clubs.
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