Stivichall

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Stivichall or Styvechale (pronounced "sty-chull"; IPA: /ˈstaɪ-tʃəl/) is a mainly residential area of south Coventry. It includes Fenside which forms part of southeast Stivichall. To the north and northwest Stivichall has a shared border with the War Memorial Park, along Coat of Arms Bridge Road. The district of Cheylesmore is to the northeast with Whitley to the east. The southern border of Stivichall is shared with the northern border of the city's Finham and Green Lane districts along the A45 dual carriageway.

The western area of Stivichall, known locally as Styvechale Grange, is a large residential district developed during the late-1960s and early-1970s to cater for Coventry's then-rapidly rising population (which peaked at 340,000 inhabitants in 1971).

A rural parish on the outskirts of Coventry, the Styvechale estate had belonged to the Gregory family since the 16th century, but in 1919, the land was purchased by Coventry Corporation and used in part to create the War Memorial Park, with the general development of the area soon following. The main roads from Coventry to both Leamington Spa and Kenilworth pass through and join within the boundaries of Stivichall, and whilst the estate was still in the Gregory family's ownership, access was denied to the roads unless a toll of 1d per horse and 6d per vehicle was paid to them. The toll house which stood at the junction of the roads was demolished in 1964.

Although the pronunciation of the district is not in doubt, its spelling is a subject of debate. The 'Styvechale' variant is generally deemed more attractive in fitting with the Olde English tradition of the district's name, though since 1945 'Stivichall' has been the official designation for the area. All direction signage reads 'Stivichall'. In the early-1990's there was a campaign to reintroduce the 'Styvechale' variant on local signage and within civic circles, with many people finding the Stivichall designation ugly.

The site on which Stivichall Primary School was built is bounded by Green Lane and Coat of Arms Bridge Road.

[edit] Gregory bridge

The Gregory bridge is a railway bridge that carries trains running between Coventry and Leamington Spa.^[1] The land on which the line was built was owned by the Gregory family, and having opposed the project, in 1842 Mr A F Gregory finally agreed to sell just sufficient land for the line's construction, but only on the condition that the Gregory family coat-of-arms was incorporated into the face of the bridge. The line was opened on completion of the work in 1844. There is a memorial to the Gregory-Hood family near to the Coat-of-Arms bridge.

Gregory bridge

Coat of Arms on the Gregory bridge

Plaque on the Memorial to the Gregory-Hood family

Memorial to the Gregory-Hood family

[edit] St James Church

St James Church is situated on Leamington Road, Stivichall.

St James Church (from Leamington Rd)

[edit] References

• Albert Smith and David Fry: (1991). The Coventry We Have Lost. Vol 1. Simanda Press, Berkswell. ISBN 0-9513867-1-9
• Albert Smith and David Fry: (1993). The Coventry We Have Lost. Vol 2. Simanda Press, Berkswell. ISBN 0-9513867-2-7

Coordinates: 52°23′N 1°30′W / 52.383, -1.5