Cheylesmore
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Cheylesmore (pronc. 'charles-more') is a suburb in the southern half of the city of Coventry, West Midlands, UK. It is one of Coventry's largest suburbs, sharing borders with Whitley and Stivichall (also spelled Styvechale) in the South, extending into Coventry city centre and bordering with Earlsdon in the North. Cheylesmore has two shopping parades situated in Daventry Road and Quinton Park. These shops overlook a small park and pool known as Quinton Pool.
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[edit] Industrial heritage and new developments
The Quinton Road and Mile Lane areas of Cheylesmore have been occupied by several companies that contributed to Coventry's motoring heritage, including Rolls Royce, Armstrong Siddeley, Coventry Climax, and the Swift Motor Company. The suburb's proximity to large manufacturing firms resulted in a rapid expansion of the area during the 1930s with planners finding it difficult to get houses constructed in time to meet the demand for them. The advantage of the short distance between the factories and houses was that workers were able to walk to the factories, saving them the bus fare. They were also able to go home for a meal at midday before returning to work.[1]
The former Quinton Works, originally built in 1890 as a cycle factory, situated at the junction of Mile Lane and Quinton Road was acquired by the Swift Motor Company in 1905. During World War I the factory contributed to the war-effort, producing munitions, military bicycles, Hispano-Suiza and Renault aircraft engines.[2]
The frontage of the Quinton Works has been restored and integrated with a newly built Ibis Hotel, whilst most of the rest of the former site has been knocked down. New developments in this part of Cheylesmore include Cheylesmore House which is the national headquarters of the Learning and Skills Council, a technology park for Coventry University, and residential housing.
A new set of houses was built in 2007, on the new road Crediton Close. It looks onto Howes primary school. It is all part of new housing for Coventry
[edit] Cheylesmore Manor House
Cheylesmore Manor is a grade II* listed building and the home of Coventry's Register office since 1965.[3] Parts of the building date back to 1250; and Edward, the Black Prince, and Henry VI were among the royals who lived there. Remnants of the main house survived the Second World War, but were demolished in 1955. Edward used Cheylesmore Manor as his hunting lodge and reputedly visited the area frequently. His grandmother Queen Isabella, the "she-wolf" of France and the Queen of Edward II, gained the manorial rights when the Crown had acquired them from previous owners. Edward was known as the Black Prince due to the black armour that he wore. His helmet was surmounted by a "cat-a-mountain".
The seal of the city bears the Motto "Camera Principis" or the Prince's chamber which, it is said, it owes to the close tie with the Black Prince. Also the "cat-a-mountain" of the Black Prince surmounts the Coat of arms as a crest.
[edit] The Charter House
[edit] References
- ^ Brad Beaven (2005). Leisure, Citizenship and Working-Class Men in Britain, 1850-1945. Manchester University Press, 134. ISBN 0719060273.
- ^ A brief history of Swift Motor vehicles. The Swift Club. Retrieved on 7 September 2007.
- ^ Pamela Ward (1968). Conservation and Development in Historic Towns and Cities. Oriel Press, 157.
