Memory Mondays
In the second set of old photographs from those put on the Facebook site by Jay Mckeown we take a walk down Cromwell Lane, from Tile Hill Station down towards the Hickory Smokehouse, or Peeping Tom as it is more readily remembered to many of us. Many of the houses in the 1960 photographs are relatively unchanged and are easily recognised, though all of them appear to be well cared for and looked after.
At the end of the photos are two more of the 1960 images that we haven't managed to track down. If you have any thoughts or information, just let us know either on Facebook or via the email address below.
Email address: westwoodheathhistory@gmail.com
Copyright 1960s images: Jay Mckeown
Copyright 2020 images: Ian Harrop/WHRA
Tile Hill Station taken from the site of the old level crossing, looking towards Birmingham. Quite different from the old image, the station now has a new ticket office and has new flats built behind.
Cromwell Cottage looking much as it did in the 1960s photo. Said to have been used by Cromwell as he marched with his troops to Kenilworth, it is more likely that Cromwell just passed by.
A second view of Cromwell Cottage in the 1960s, though this view has now completely vanished due to vegetation growth and the build of the new Penruddock Drive development.
Westwood Farm, Cromwell Lane. Not much has changed since the 1960 photograph in this view, from a slightly different location.
Thatched Cottage, Cromwell Lane. Vegetation has grown a bit taller, but the house looks fairly similar to the 1960 image.
Bungalow on Cromwell Lane at the end of Westwood Heath Road. Easily recognisable as the bungalow in the 1960 image, even down to the same house numbers on the gateposts. Under renovation at the current time (June 2020) the house is still being looked after.
What looks like a timber framed farm building, but do you have any clues as to where it may be, or if it still exists?
Thanks to everyone who replied, this is indeed Moat House Cottages where Sir Henry Parkes was born. The current owner has renovated the Grade 2 listed building in a very sympathetic way at what must have been a substantial cost. The original medieval building was thought to be a three bay timber framed structure which has been adapted many years ago to be a two bay building with an extension. Henry Parkes is thought to have been born in the extension part. A lot of the timber structure has been replaced to enable it to once again stand on the frame, and the internal brick walls which were introduced to support the building have been removed. Even the foundation course of sandstone has had to be replaced. If you look closely at the photo you can see the new bits of timber that have been put into the main frame.
Update 9th July 2020: More on the history of Sir Henry Parkes can be found on The Coventry Society website by using the link below:
A flat roofed Art Deco style building should stand out amongst the more traditional buildings in the area, but can you help find it? There is a similar house along Cromwell Lane, between the old Peeping Tom pub and Hodgetts Lane, but when you look at it closely it is quite different.
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