Caludon Castle and St George

The answer to "Where in Coventry 3?" post is Caludon Castle in Caludon Castle park in Wyken. The park is supposed to have once belonged to Lady Godiva.

Also I just found out that it is related to St George (of the St George and the Dragon fame and the patron saint of England).

Anyway, here are some more pics:

My kids enjoying themselves at the park

Artist Pete Urmston's impression of what the Castle once looked like in the 16th Century

Related Links:

Did St George come from Coventry and what and where was the dragon?

Where in Coventry 3

How well do you know Coventry? This is my 3rd edition of Where in Coventry

Came across these ruins in a park. Can anybody guess where this is?

A hint: The place is related to Lady Godiva.

If you can't guess, don't worry - answers coming up soon.

ANSWER: Caludon Castle ruins

Free electric blanket safety testing in Coventry

Now that the weather is getting chilly, people are starting to take out their electric blankets. These can sometimes be a safety hazard if they are old or damaged.

Local charity Age UK Coventry is offering free electric blankets and utility safety testing.

They will check the blankets’ fabric, heating elements, switches, wiring and plugs.

In addition Age UK Coventry is also offering a free, no obligation energy quotation.You can go along to see if you can save money by switching to their Age UK fixed price tariff. All you need to do is go along with your latest gas and/or electricity bills.

The electric blanket testing and energy reviews will take placeon the 7 and 8th October 2013, 9am – 4pm.

You would need to book an appointments for the electric blanket testing by calling 024 76 231 999.

Where in Coventry 2

Was part of an ancient structure in the City Centre. Later moved elsewhere and then received a direct hit from a German bomb during the 2nd World War. This was one of the pieces that survived. Finally relocated to this place.

Ans: 
This is at the War Memorial Park on Kenilworth Road

Some more pics:

My kids 

My daughter taking a closer look

Coventry University cycle locker

Parking at the Coventry University cycle locker at the multi-storey car park near my office,
for the first time. More for protection from the elements rather than for security. 

Had to pay £40 as security deposit (refundable).

Cycling trip to the midlands in the good old days

Interesting video about cycling clubs in the 1950s and trips to the Midlands.

Where to find recycled Cycles in Coventry

Updated : 21 May 2013

So far I know of 3 places where you can recycle your old bike or buy a recycled bike in Coventry:

Coventry recycled cycles

Bike Workshop

The Re-Cycle project - Coventry Jesus Centre

I have also seen nice looking bikes on the back of the scrap metal trucks several times. They might be willing to sell it to you for a couple of quid if you are into restoring.

Look at the Freecycle Coventry site. I have noticed people giving away old bikes a couple of times. You will need to sign up. I once got a really nice mountain bike through the site, while I was studying at Warwick Univ.

54 Cox street demolished

One of the old Coventry University buildings has been demolished. Pictures were taken on my way back home from the #13 bus.

On the 12th of September

Completely gone on the 17th of September.

On 16th of October.

What's going to come up in it's place?


Today was also my blog's anniversary. I have been blogging for 9 years today.

Godiva Carnival 2012

Went to watch "Godiva Awakes" - this year's Godiva Carnival at the City Centre with my wife and the kids. We were a bit late and missed the part where the huge Lady Godiva put on her amazing coat.
 There were loads of people and I did not get a good view of the procession until near the end.


 My son was on my shoulders most of the time and he got into the mood bouncing up and down.

 
Some very fantastic and creative costumes.


Finally off she went leaving Coventry for London powered by 100 cyclists.

New job, Coventry and the auto industry

In case you are wondering what I am going on about. read on and you will understand.

Last week I joined Coventry University Business School as a lecturer in marketing and advertising. I got the job finally after 6 interviews and hundreds of rejections. We are really delighted that I got into Coventry University as it means that we do not have to relocate to another city in the UK. Furthermore, I have always wanted to remain in academia as a lecturer.

I also joined at the right time as Coventry University is growing massively with new buildings and facilities. Its ranking has gone up to 53rd overall in the Sunday Times University Guide 2012 - a huge jump of 30 places from the last time. I was really happy to learn that the University is now ranked higher than some of the other Universities that rejected me.

I have grown to love Coventry and am learning a lot about it's history. Car buffs will definitely be aware that Coventry was once the auto capital of the UK and my office is located at the William Morris building, named after the founder of the Morris car company. The building dates from 1916 and they used to have their engine manufacturing facilities here.

Going around the building, I was trying to find traces of the former building and suddenly I noticed that near my office are the remains of the old bannister on the stairs with fine detailed carvings. They are carvings of bulls. Not sure whether they mean anything.





Will try to find some more traces of the old building.

Flying kite at Memorial Park Coventry

Recently we went to the Memorial park in Coventry as the kids were quite restless at home and my daughter wanted to try out the kite her mum had bought for her.

Unfortunately there was not much wind that day apart from the occasional gusts and we couldn't really get the kite up high. Still we all had fun.

Will definitely be going again when it is a bit more windy.

Godiva Festival 2011

Last Saturday I went along with my daughter to the Memorial Park in Coventry for the Godiva Festival. Even though I have been here in Coventry for quite sometime, this was the first time I went to the Festival. There was no direct bus to the festival and there were some angry people and raised voices at the Pool Meadow bus station. I got into the #12 bus which took us to Earlsdon and we got down near the library there. We walked to the park from there.

My daughter really enjoyed the Kid's art and crafts tent where we spent quite sometime making "stuff".

We then went around the various stalls and exhibits - learnt a few new and interesting things in the process.

Next was the Funfair - didn't go on any of the rides but my daughter won a bunny rabbit stuffed toy which is now her favourite toy at the moment. What is it with girls and soft toys?

We then moved to the main festival area - bought some over priced ice-cream. Got some freebies for filling up a survey at the NHS stand and then sat down to listen to some music. No idea who was playing but they were OK but my daughter was more interested in visiting the 'Bang Goes the Theory' tent. I found some of the exhibits quite fascinating.

We then finally left the park at around 5 pm and walked back to Earlsdon where my wife picked us up.
It was nice to finally spend some quality time alone with my daughter.

Icy wonderland

The whole of Coventry was covered with a layer of ice two weeks ago and it's still there in some parts. the trees and plants looked like they had been painted over with white paint.







It was beautiful but COLD.

According to the forecasts, winds from the arctic are going to bring more snow and accompanying freezing temperatures. brrrrrr.

I do miss Malaysia.

Ricoh Arena

The Ricoh Arena is just a couple of minutes drive from my house. It is the home of the Coventry City F.C. and has a stadium that seats 32,609 people. Japanese company Ricoh paid £10 million to get it's name on the stadium for 10 years. However, the stadium which will be one of the football venues during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, will be known as the City of Coventry Stadium as sponsorship names are not allowed.

The first and only time I have been inside the stadium was when I attended the Academy of Marketing Conference 2010 last month which was held here. I quickly took some pics using the Nokia N900 before my presentation.








The Bryan Adams bar
This was taken using my Samsung Galaxy Portal and you can clearly see the difference in the picture quality.

More Snow in Coventry 2010

me more pictures:

Our leaning snowman


In our backyard


WBS teaching centre, University of Warwick


At Jubilee Crescent, Radford

Snow in Coventry 2010

Without any flash


It's not B&W