Binley Woods Memories
Harry Webster writes "I lived in the area in Monks Rd, 1942-1950 with my twin and parents when all the roads were ash
and puddles. We had no mains water, electric, gas or drainage. Some years later there is an estate of houses and
roads and I missed it all. I would dearly love to see any photos of the area as it was and the building work. I have
only one photo of some of us lads with our old bungalow in the back ground.
The photo was taken around 1944. Monks Rd is the other side of the bungalow which was about 70 yards from the
junction with Woodlands Rd, to the right. My twin, Sydney, is the tall one at the back. Then left to right, Derek
Phethean, myself, (always called Harry), John Inwood (who lived on Rugby Rd.), unknown name,(Rugby Rd), Michael
Golby (Heather Rd) and seated Ray Moore (who lived in Woodlands Rd) This area bounded by Woodlands Rd, and Craven
Ave. was our sports ground. Behind the camera on the other side of Craven Av was the cycle speedway track. My
father bought an acre of land and we built the bungalow in Monks Rd with bomb-damaged bricks,(my brother and I had
to clean 100 every day after school), moving in some time in 1942 because of the bombing in Coventry. We used to
travel either on the Midland Red to the Roseycombe or by the city bus to Binley School and walk the rest every
weekend and some evenings to work on the site. Monks Road was only then being made with ash thrown from the back
of a lorry. We had to carry water from a tap near the junction of Woodlands Rd and Craven Av There's more...
On the southern side of now Craven Ave was all woods where we used to play and climb and the wood stretched from
Oakdale Rd across to Woodlands Rd Further south behind the wood was a farm field and then the big wood we all knew
as Captain Beeches wood and was prohibited, but of course from time to time we would go in there and pick primroses.
At the far end of Birchwood Rd was the farm and some Italian prisoners were detained there during the war and we would
often go and see them and to play on the bales of straw.
Going down Birchwood Rd from the Roseycombe there was quite a wide grass border and a hedge on the left hand side
and a hut or two erected for folks to live in. Over the crossing at Heather Rd this border continued up to Monks Rd
Between this junction and Oakdale Rd was only a track for Monks Rd until about half way to Oakdale where there was
a bombed out house and a large bomb crater around which one had to walk. The narrow ash road then continued.
Continuing along Birchwood Rd this led to the farm and over on the right were several huge beech trees and ponds
where we played with long ropes and rode our bikes. One Sunday (we had just had new suits the day before) and my
brother Syd being a dare devil hung on the rope over the pond with some other lads above him and of course the rope
broke and they were all soaked. Dad was not amused.
At the southern end of Woodlands Rd past Craven Av was another road to the east which I think ended about three
hundred yards along. We used to deliver papers around the area and only one or two cars would be seen. One of them
was owned by a Mr.Long I remember who live in this road with his wife and daughter. Even further to the end of
Woodlands Rd was another wide track which led to old boulty's pig shed. It could be smelled from a great distance.
To return to Monks Rd my father bought the land from a Mr.Brown who had an office near the top end of Woodlands Rd
Next to us was a family and then a fellow lived in something like a railway carriage. There were all sorts of temporary
dwellings around. My father used to work the land and began keeping animals so on top of cleaning bricks we lads had to
do much gardening, feeding and cleaning out pigs,hens,ducks and rabbits. He grew the most amazing chrysants and he would
send us out with bunches of them to sell at the local shops and houses. He built the base walls for two large greenhouses
but sadly they were never finished. He worked like a slAv He bought a small three wheeled vehicle which had handle bars
and a cab which was open at the front with two doors at the rear. He used to collect pig food and throw out food for the
pigs and then we would go out in this thing to the cinema in Coventry! We would come home to have to light a paraffin
lamp and primus stove. Mother was a great cook and also made bread. What a delight that was.
In Woodlands Rd near to Monks Rd was the last street lamp and if I was on my own I would look around then run
like mad to home. Only there were times when my brother would hide in the bushes on the right hand side and scare
the daylights out of me. Although we were twins he was taller and stronger than I. Across Woodlands Rd where there
now seems to be a School was a track which led to another open area where we would also play football and then some
more woods towards Ferndale Rd and Craven Av.
There are some names in my memory such as Michael Golby, Harry Eborrall, the Cook twin sisters, Townsend, Draper,
Robson, Webb,Stanley,Jackson. My father had some plans drawn up for a permanent house but whilst Rugby council
passed them Coventry council would not. 1948 and I passed a scholarship and left Binley School and both of us were
not showing much interest in dad's smallholding plans. This was a great disappointment to him and the place was
sold. Syd was killed in and accident in 1952 and I took a visit back there to see some friends. It seemed to be much
the same. Until when? That is the info I would like to find along with any photos."
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