The War Memorial Park - at the heart of city life for almost a century - Coventry City Council
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Coventry
News...features...plus more about your city...your neighbourhood...your services
issue 65 I summer I 2019
The War
Memorial Park
- at the heart
of city life for
almost a century
Pedal power Making a We’re all
will be taking splash with counting
over the city the new down to
for a day this GoCV loyalty the Godiva
September card scheme Festival
COVENTRY CITIVISION
proud to support UK City of Culture 2021 2019
news
contents
From the top welcome to the summer 2019 issue of citivision
• A personal
message from
Cllr George
Duggins, Leader,
Coventry City
Council.
Tackling climate
change now
As a city our track record
on cutting carbon emissions is
better than most. Yes, we have
lots more to do, but there are
many projects underway that are
making a difference. In the coming
months we will be setting out an
updated strategy on addressing
climate change, and we’ll be
seeking the views of all age groups
in the city to help us shape a
plan that we hope will lead to us
to becoming net carbon zero in
future years.
Elsewhere in this issue of
Citivision we’ll be telling you news Godiva focus City of Sport upda
about the new GoCV discount te
card. This will mean reduced 4 From 1 April Coventry 9 If you aren’t into your 7 The Wave is taki
price attractions and activities Citizens Advice has music there is still ng
shape, with the
that people can enjoy in the city. been offering vital plenty to enjoy for all
It will only be available for local support to those who the family at this year’s Health and Fitn
ess
people, and with The Wave set need help making a Godiva Festival. Suite and 25 met
re
to open up its health and fitness claim for Universal pool (see photo ab
ove)
suite soon, there will be plenty Credit. UK City of Culture opening on 24 Ju
ne.
of venues that you can make the
most of. 5 A walkway between 11 Coventry is gearing
You’ll also have no doubt Hertford Street and up to be the next UK
noticed that the walkway between Broadgate has been
opened for the first
City of Culture in 2021,
but there’s no need to
what’s on
Hertford Street and Broadgate
time in over 50 years. wait until then to get A round-up of some
is now open for the first time in
involved.
20
50 years. This is one of a number of the attractions on
6 A project to breathe offer in and around
of further improvements planned
for city centre visitors, which also
new life into The Burges health focus Coventry for the next
in Coventry has been few months.
include removing the escalator in 16 The Year of Wellbeing
given a major grant by
the Upper Precinct. is all about helping
the Government.
We’ve also made some changes
to the Godiva Festival. Most The Council has
inspire and empower
people to improve their
councillors
8
importantly a £2 fee is being recently drawn up a physical and mental 22 Need to contact your
introduced to cover the cost of comprehensive plan to health and to celebrate councillors? Check out
ticketing. Visitors will be able to tackle air quality in the great things already our comprehensive
get them in advance and it will the city. going on in Coventry. directory.
enable the police and organisers
to safely manage the numbers of
people attending the event. I’m
sure that, once again, it will be a
contact us
Call the Citivision newsdesk per copy to write, print and If you would like to advertise in
great festival for all the family to on 024 7683 1075 or write distribute to homes in Coventry. the next issue of Citivision, contact
enjoy. to Newsdesk, Room 73, You can also pick up a copy at Darren O’Shaughnessy on 024
Council House, Earl Street, libraries and Council buildings. 7683 1075. Coventry City Council
Coventry, CV1 5RR, or Citivision is produced on paper is grateful for the support from
If you need this information in e-mail communications@ from sustainable woodland and advertisers in this issue of Citivision,
another format or language please coventry.gov.uk is chlorine free. The milling but accepts no responsibility for
contact us: Written and produced by process also has Environmental the accuracy of adverts.
Tel: 024 7683 1081 the Communications Team, Management Systems in place. All details correct at the time of
e-mail: communications@ Coventry City Council. Each Once read, please recycle. going to print (10 June).
coventry.gov.uk edition of Citivision costs 9p
Cover story:
Enjoy Coventry parks this summer.
2 I citivision I summer 2019 19-0399-CB/HG
summer 2019 I citivision I 3
news news
Citizens Advice Walkway revealed for the first time in 50 years
Angel sculpture legacy for community ‘Help to Claim’
The huge Knife Angel LED lighting.
From 1 April Coventry The second phase of the
sculpture, made of Citizens Advice has been offering work will now get underway
100,000 confiscated vital support to those who with new paving being put in on
knives, and now in place need help making a claim for Hertford Street.
in Birmingham will have Universal Credit. The service, Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet
an impact on Coventry called ‘Help to Claim’, is funded Member for Jobs and
by the Department for Works Regeneration at Coventry City
people for the months and Pensions but is delivered Council, said:
ahead according to independently by Coventry CA. “It’s a long-forgotten
West Midlands Police Trained Citizens Advice staff view of Coventry City
and other agencies. can help people to: Centre, and many local
The 27-foot high Knife people and visitors will
Angel, was created by artist • Set-up their Universal love it.
Alfie Bradley as employed and Credit account “We have lots of plans
commissioned by the • Complete their claim ‘to-dos’ to revamp and improve
British Ironwork Centre in • Verify their identity parts of the city centre,
Oswestry, Shropshire. • Make sure they are providing and it will be a boost to
While the sculpture was the right evidence to the businesses.”
on display in Coventry, ■ Pictured: Southfields Primary School pupils were among hundreds Jobcentre, and ■ Pictured: Cllr O’Boyle and Sarah Windrum. Sarah Windrum, a board
organisations took the of visitors to the Knife Angel sculpture. • Understand what Universal director at the Coventry and
opportunity to hold wider Credit will mean for them Much-loved sculptures future have been obstructed The work is part of a £2.3 Warwickshire Local Enterprise
engagement to tackle violent “The Knife Angel has been Chef champ backs You can access this service
can be seen in their full
glory for the first time in
from public view by the
Nationwide building on
million project, which includes
funding of £642,000 from the
Partnership, said: “Opening
up this area in Broadgate and
crime, and build on educational a great way of focussing our
schemes already in place. attention on safeguarding
wellness event primarily over the phone – over 50 years. Hertford Street. Coventry and Warwickshire Hertford Street will make it
Around 40,000 people Jane Devonshire, who was through Freephone 0800 1448 The People of Coventry The demolition of the 1970s’ Local Enterprise Partnership more accessible to more people
younger people.”
visited the Knife Angel. MasterChef champion in 2016, who 444 - or through webchat via statues which feature four Nationwide building has created (CWLEP), and has also involved which will be good news for
A community event and a
Rashid Bhayat, of the Positive has twice overcome cancer, is among www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ groups of figures depicting a new walkway between removing existing concrete traders and shoppers alike.”
violence summit have been
Youth Foundation said: the inspirational speakers at a major benefits/universal-credit/ Coventry past, present and Broadgate and Hertford Street. paving slabs and installing new
held in recent weeks.
“We supported an event health and wellbeing event being held claiming/helptoclaim/
The Knife Angel was
at the Cathedral involving for the first time in Coventry. If you feel that an initial
supported by the Coventry
dozens of community
members to help equip
City of Culture Trust,
Coventry Cathedral, Coventry
She will be taking to the stage
at the Being Well Festival on 24
October at the Ricoh Arena. It is
contact needs to be made face-
to-face you can drop in to the
centrally located CA office on
History on our doorstep
them to better understand City Council, Coventry Police
free and aims to educate people Little Park Street and ask about Coventry will mark 25 years been involved with the event
working with young people and the European City of
about general wellness. the service at reception. of Heritage Open Days when since the very early days, said:
in their communities. Sport 2019 initiative. Visitors will need to book tickets Advisers have already the city once again opens the “It’s been a passion of mine to
by going to supported numerous claimants doors of dozens of buildings and help give people an insight to the
Exports call to city firms www.beingwellfestival.co.uk through the application process
but are eager for more.
venues that capture the story of
Coventry over the years.
amazing history on our doorstep.
Being able to reveal the secrets
Coventry is one of the top places higher than London – the Chamber’s International The silver anniversary open of so many venues and buildings
exporting cities in the UK, with a total export value of Trade Team to encourage more If you want to know more days will be held between 13 and is so special.
according to new figures. £4.7bn. companies to export. about this project and how to 22 September. “The event seems to get bigger
Research by the Centre for Arquebus, based at Coventry access it, visit Coventry CA’s Heritage Open Days has every year and we have a real
Cities saw Coventry ranked University Technology Park, and For details on international website on always had incredibly strong mix of people and age groups
seventh in the UK for the total Body Care Brand Development, trade contact the Chamber on support from venues and attending. We have a regular
www coventrycitizens
exports per job in 2017 – two based in Foleshill, are helping 024 7665 4321. volunteers. team of volunteers and we
advice.org.uk/get-advice/
Organisers are hoping that couldn’t organise it without them
people will share their memories and the support of the many
Once upon a coffee shop of previous events.
Roger Bailey (pictured below),
venues that open their doors.”
For details visit
Fancy a latte with your John Grisham, a cappuccino with your a Blue Badge Tourist Guide, has www.coventry.gov.uk/hod
Maeve Binchy or a flat white delivered to your table while using
a computer? Coventry’s first library coffee shop is now open.
Central Library in Smithford www.staxcoffee.
Way is now home to STAX com and about
COFFEE serving a full range of Coventry Libraries
drinks and snacks. and Information
It has been designed and Service at
themed exclusively for a www.coventry.
library space with discounts gov.uk/libraries
on coffee and tea for all library
card holders and new library ■ Pictured: L-R Pete Barnett, Library Service, coffee shop manager Edith Okechukwy, Cllr Kevin Maton,
members. responsible for Education and Skills Services and Darren Ratcliffe, MD STAX COFFEE. Inset: Barista Mohammed
Read more about STAX at Ahmed and a member of the libraries team.
4 I citivision I summer 2019 summer 2019 I citivision I 5
news city of sport update
Station scheme on track Burges revamp to open up river Thrill seekers line up to test The Wave
A project to breathe
new life into The Burges
follow the blueprint that
has been so successful in
2019
has been given a major transforming Far Gosford
grant of £2m by the Street.
Government. The funding will allow the
The redevelopment work is Trust to start restoration Putt your best
part of a High Streets Heritage work this year. Ian Harrabin,
Action Zone programme.
The Department for Digital,
Chairman of Historic Coventry
Trust, said:
foot forward
A new Footgolf
Culture, Media and Sport “This is great news. We
course has
(DCMS) announced support have been working hard with
opened at the
for the regeneration of what Coventry City Council over
War Memorial
is one of the city’s oldest many years. It’s a follow-on
The Wave is taking shape, Park, where
shopping streets. project to Far Gosford Street.”
with the Health and Fitness participants can play a
Plans for The Burges Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet
Suite opening on 24 June. combination of football and
include the restoration of Member for Jobs and
Within the suite, run by golf – just with larger holes.
existing building frontages Regeneration at the Council,
Lifestyles at CV Life, there will The course is situated on
and reinstatement of historic said:
■ Pictured: Cllr O’Boyle and Sarah Windrum CWLEP visiting the station site. be a 120-station gym, a 25m the old pitch and putt site
shopfronts, as well as opening “The regeneration of
pool with mood lighting, as well and will provide great fun
up the river in Palmer Lane to The Burges and Palmer
Buckingham Group Road, new station entrance and as sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, for all the family as well as
the rear as a new public square Lane has been in our
Contracting Ltd has been building a 633-space multi-storey dance studio and squash courts. an ideal venue to celebrate
and turning the river into an sights for a long time. It
awarded contracts to deliver car-park which will provide an Meanwhile, the main family events, birthdays,
asset for locals and visitors. follows my goal of saving
phase one of the Coventry additional 300 spaces at the site. waterpark is set to open later work outings and children’s
Historic Coventry Trust, the best of the old while
Station redevelopment, including This part of the project has this year with over 18,000 birthday parties!
with Coventry City Council building the best of the
footbridge and canopies, as well received £27.5m funding through people already expressing an This year, Coventry is
and Coventry BID (Business new.”
as phase two - a multi-storey the Coventry and Warwickshire interest to be a slide tester. celebrating its status as
Improvement District), will
car-park, bus interchange, a Local Enterprise Partnership To be the first to hear about European City of Sport and
second station building facing on (CWLEP). opening dates and booking Year of Wellbeing.
to Warwick Road, a new taxi The new footbridge will process, get online and follow All equipment is provided,
rank and boulevard ready for the improve passenger movement on @TheWaveCov on social media and all skill levels are
end of 2020. the platforms and will connect channels. welcome. There is no need
Coventry City Council is the new station entrance and Councillor Kamran Caan, to book, participants can
working in partnership with multi-storey car park. Cabinet Member for Sport, said; ■ Pictured centre: Cllr Kamran Caan inside one of the slides. just turn up and play.
Network Rail, Virgin Trains and Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Top: view of the slides from below. It’s £6.50 for an adult and
“The Wave is looking
other rail operators, Transport Member for Jobs and £3.25 for concessions and
really fantastic and I
for West Midlands, Friargate Regeneration at Coventry City ■ Pictured: juniors (under 16) to do the
can’t wait for it to open. The six main slides:
Coventry LLP and other Council and CWLEP board Lucia Hunt aged 18 hole course. Nine holes
There really is something The Riptide, The Crestar,
stakeholders to create a new- director, said: five helps kick off is £4.50 for adults and £2
for everyone – from the The Cascade, The Rapids, The
look gateway to the city. The “It’s the fastest growing the new course. for concessions and juniors
bravest thrill seeker to Torrent and The Cyclone are all
station masterplan will cost station outside London and (under 16).
someone who wants to bob in place, with the wave pool, lazy
£82 million. this investment will ensure There is a £2 refundable
about in the lazy river. river and young children’s splash
The work involves it provides an impressive deposit for the ball.
“I encourage everyone zone close to completion.
constructing a new footbridge welcome to the city. It will Maximum number of six
who lives in Coventry to
and canopies along with the also help us attract business More information on how to people per booking.
sign up for a GoCV card so
structural completion of the and leisure visitors to the apply for a GoCV card can be For details visit
British Science Festival fun
they can take advantage of
access tunnel under Warwick city.” found at www.coventry.gov.uk/
reduced price entry to The
Wave.” www.coventry.gov.uk/gocv footgolf
Support for Public Space Protection Order The British Science Festival The Sky at Night: Question
A consultation that was held
earlier in the year on proposals to
to help safeguard young people
in the city.
is coming to Coventry and
Warwickshire this September.
Time with Maggie Aderin-
Pocock and Chris Lintott.
Sports Fest 2019 Enjoy more of the city for less with
It’s bringing with it over 100 The Festival will celebrate Sports Fest will be taking place A new loyality card that gives
create a Public Space Protection Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Chair
FREE events, performances the world-leading research in Broadgate over the course people who live in Coventry
Order (PSPO) to tackle crime in of the Police and Crime Board,
and exhibitions with a scientific taking place around the globe, of ten days from Tuesday 13 discount on a range of local
Coventry city centre and nearby added: “The order will help police
twist! at the University of Warwick to Thursday 22 August. Sports activities and attractions is
areas has public support. West to act more quickly.”
Between Tuesday 10 and and more broadly across Fest is a free event and will be a now available.
Midlands Police and Coventry City It is hoped that the PSPO could
Friday 13 September, the public Coventry, Warwickshire and fantastic celebration of the city’s The scheme is offering
Council believe that the order will be in place later in the summer.
will be able to attend events the West Midlands. It will shine title of European City of Sport residents the chance to
help police in tackling anti-social Superintendent for
across the city and on the a spotlight on areas such as which is now partnered with sign up by visiting
behaviour, drug use, drug dealing Neighbourhood Policing, Phil
University of Warwick campus, energy, transport, healthcare Vodafone Gigafast Broadband. www.coventry.gov.uk/gocv
and exploitation of young people, Healey, said: “The order will help
all for free. and digital innovation. Throughout Sports Fest there will where they can register and
both criminally and sexually. It will us to police the city centre and activate the card and find out
Our star speakers include Bookings are open be a wide range of activities to get
also aim to address an increase in nearby areas. more about the benefits and
Professor Alice Roberts, from 26 June at www. involved with that are designed to
public place violence including gun “There are people who are discounts of the scheme.
author Angela Saini and there britishsciencefestival.org encourage more people
and knife crime. The order is also intent on causing trouble. It’s
will be a special recording of to be active. ■ Pictured: Carol and Ray Smith from Mount Nod with their son Owen, making the most of the card at the Excel Centre.
important that we address this.”
6 I citivision I summer 2019 summer 2019 I citivision I 7
news Godiva focus
Taking steps to tackle climate change Kids point the way 5 to 7 July
to healthier travel
Hundreds of Coventry pupils have
been helping to encourage friends
and family to choose healthier
ways to travel.
Schools in the city took part in
the Big Pedal to record a 10-day
challenge to measure the different
As one of the first cities recover power and heat from ways that people travel to and
Cllr Hetherton added:
to produce a climate change waste, and in recent years we “We have a strategy that runs from school, and to encourage
strategy, Coventry is well replaced all of our street lamp until 2020 so we are now in the parents and carers to ditch the
aware of the threat of columns with energy efficient process of setting out a strategy car for a day or more and try an
climate change.
The Council has been
working with agencies across
street lighting.” for the years ahead.
“For the new strategy we will
alternative way of getting about.
It’s hoped that the two-week
event will impact on school
Godiva Festival ticketing plan
CIT Y ’S look to set a date for Coventry
OTPRINT
the city for many years and, in CARBON FO to be net carbon zero and we journeys over the longer term. For the first time this year’s dramatically, with around 115,000 45,000 people was on the main Tickets are available at
in 2016 (35.45
fact, introduced the UK’s first 1,335k tonnes 20 05).
will be grouping the strategy into More than 20,000 pupils from Godiva Festival will be a people now visiting over the field on Saturday evening of last www.godivafestival.com/
smokeless zone in 1948. ce nt fa ll sin ce
per three key areas of Transport, seven schools made journeys ticketed event to manage three days. Last year’s event was year’s festival. buytickets, and people are
According to one senior Buildings and Industry.” either by bike, scooter or walking
Projects already underway visitor numbers safely. estimated to generate £2.3m in Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy encouraged to head online to
councillor the Council is leading during the event.
A £2 administration fee is being economic activity by bringing tens Leader of the Council, said: buy tickets in advance to ensure
the way on sustainability and it Electric vehicles and charging UK Battery Industrialisation charged for each ticket, with of thousands of extra visitors to “The feedback we they don’t miss out on the festival
wants to continue to become a infrastructure development Centre (UKBIC) battery
green, low carbon city. under-fives free, to cover the the city. received last year was and order their Godiva Festival
to deliver 39 rapid chargers manufacturing development. But its increasing popularity overwhelmingly positive to wristbands and programmes.
Cllr Patricia Hetherton, the
Council’s Cabinet Member, City
in the city.
Green Business Programme for Museum charge cost of the move to ticketing, and
ensuring a safe event. brings the need to improve the increased security on The Godiva Festival will
Services, said that the city had Go Electric taxi scheme. small to medium sized business Coventry Transport The decision will also help visitor safety. While it is difficult site. We know how popular take place in the War Memorial
already made significant in-roads. 10 fully electric buses to operate (SMEs) businesses by providing Museum which attracts over ensure the annual event is to know how many people will the Godiva Festival is and Park. The festival is organised
She said: “In 2012 we set out on air quality hotspots routes. grants to make energy and 360,000 visitors a year is to delivered within budget. attend each year, daily capacity we need to ensure that it is by Coventry City Council
to cut carbon dioxide emissions efficiency improvements. introduce admission charges The move is the first of some for the 2018 event had to be a safe experience for and supported by Free Radio,
by 27.5 per cent by 2020, Autonomous vehicles testing. increased from 30,000 to 50,000 visitors. Coventry City of Culture 2021
Heatline - 6.6km of buried pipes to improve its offer and key changes in the much-loved
compared to 2005 levels, and Recyclable road resurfacing secure its future – but city festival’s 20-year history, which and the entire site needed to be Introducing a small charge and Coventry College.
which bring waste heat from the
in fact met this target six years trialling in tarmac. Waste to Energy plant to the residents will still be able to will also see a £10 on-site car fenced to manage the volume will help us to improve For the latest news on Godiva
early in 2014. city centre. A great low carbon visit for free. parking charge introduced for the of visitors and provide a safe safety and security for Festival, follow @godivafestival
“We know how important it £2.5m funding to allow and enjoyable experience for everyone, without on social media or sign up for the
development of Very Light Rail. energy supply. The museum is one of four first time.
is for future generations and we venues operated by Culture everyone. compromising the Godiva Festival e-newsletter on
Tackling fuel poverty – Providing Over the last two decades,
want to continue to expand our Energy efficient street lighting Coventry across the city, so A record crowd of almost affordability for all.” www.godivafestival.com
grants and securing energy visitor numbers have grown
work. 28,700 new lighting columns income generated from these
“We’re one of first cities to saving 5,000 tonnes of carbon. efficiency measures in the home.
charges will also be invested
into the Herbert Art Gallery
Family festival fun
City defends air quality plan & Museum, Lunt Roman
Fort and The Old Grammar
School.
If you aren’t into your music there is still plenty to enjoy
for all the family at this year’s Godiva Festival.
The Council has recently Now further work is underway The Council has also secured A range of activities will cycle speedway, racing around
The admission charges
drawn up a comprehensive to refine the Action Plan. The grant funding of £2.5 million to include a petting farm, a short course on bikes, plus a
will take effect from
plan to tackle air quality. results of the work will be support National Express in the children’s inflatables and have-a-go sports area to mark
Sunday 30 June.
Health experts highlight the delivered to Government in June. procurement and operation of fairground rides, spread across Coventry’s year as European
For details please visit
harmful impact of air pollution, The Council has so far identified 10 electric buses. the whole site. City of Sport 2019.
www.transport-museum.com
especially on those who live a series of initiatives, including Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet The Lives and Times and A wide range of promotional
in deprived areas, those who the uptake of electric taxis, new Member for Jobs and Greenspace area will be back and charity stalls will be across
live, learn or work near busy low emission buses, installation Regeneration, said: too. Street theatre will be the site, including a variety of
■ LEVELLERS 2018 A (c) STEVE GULLICK.
roads, and those who are more
vulnerable because of their age
of electric charging points, and
highways improvements. Funding
“Conversations are
now taking place with
Caring companion performing, while a falconry food stalls to suit every taste,
or existing medical conditions. has been secured to deliver a government officials on A new online support Godiva line-up Festival organisers recently
confirmed that Busted will
display will return.
Families can also use the
as well as fun stalls for glitter
tattoos, face painting and more.
The local authority has been number of these. the way forward. platform, developed through The Levellers will be headline its Sunday Main Stage,
working with the government’s Work is also underway to Our local plan is all research at Warwick Medical headlining the Godiva meanwhile, Feeder have been
Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) to install a network of 39 rapid evidence based, we can School at the University, has Festival on Friday evening secured to headline Saturday
agree an Action Plan to reduce electric vehicle charging points demonstrate that we can been launched to help people on the main stage. night.
NO2 levels within the city. across the city, whilst a further reduce Nitrogen Dioxide with caring responsibilities in The Brighton-born band In 2018, the Godiva Festival
The government is calling 80 charging points are being levels in the areas of the Coventry and Warwickshire. formed 30 years ago. The group attracted 115,000 festival-goers
on Coventry and other cities installed on residential streets to most concern and I can’t Care Companion is a helping has produced 11 studio albums through its gates to see acts
to consider the potential for help people who wish to buy an see how a charging zone hand for all carers, to cope with from their 1995 number one such as Jake Bugg, Editors,
introducing a Clean Air Zone electric car, but who don’t have would reduce emissions the day to day challenges that album ‘Zeitgeist’, along with 14 Professor Green, Jonas Blue,
(CAZ) although local councillors a driveway on which they can any quicker.” being a carer can involve. top 40 singles and spending 38 Asian Dub Foundation and
believe that any zone would have charge their vehicle, to go ahead To register for the Care weeks in the Top 100 for their Cradle of Filth.
a massive negative impact on the with their purchase. For details visit www. Companion visit: critically acclaimed classic album For more details visit
local economy. coventry.gov.uk/airquality www.carecompanion.org.uk “Levelling The Land”. www.godivafestival.com
8 I citivision I summer 2019 summer 2019 I citivision I 9
news UK City of Culture 2021
Coundon and Radford advisory routes
Recycling and reducing landfill Coventry is gearing up to be the next UK
for your business City of Culture in 2021, but there’s no
need to wait until then to get involved.
The Council looks after hundreds of local services that help the city to keep moving, keep the
city’s streets clean and improve the quality of life for everyone. Read on and find out about all the exciting news and
events that the Coventry City of Culture Trust is
Alongside this the local This includes its commercial a popular choice for a range of
authority also provides waste service, which in recent organisations in the way they
up to as we get ready for our year in the spotlight.
commercial projects that can years has grown and is proving manage waste.
Flexible, safe help businesses, universities and
and secure schools manage the work they Here’s a quick guide to what customers can expect from
do on a day-to-day basis. the Council’s commercial waste service.
Meet the Funder
A range of services Over 200 local creatives and community organisations attended
Credit: Karima Haddi
our first Meet the Funder event at Central Hall. Attendees had
Refugee Week 2018
the opportunity to meet with a range of funders and advisers,
Waste Solutions offer a variety of services at competitive and find out about the funding programmes which are available
prices including hazardous and clinical waste collections, to support their work.
wheeled bin collections, waste compaction, skip hire, bulky
waste collections, confidential waste collections and a Conversations were in full flow as 20 funding bodies such as Arts
variety of recycling programmes. Council England, National Lottery Community Fund and the Heart of
Wheelie bins are ideal for either multiple containers or England Community Foundation gave presentations and held one-to-one
customers that produce small daily collections, if needed. conversations with visitors, providing the opportunity to test ideas or
volumes of waste on a regular For very large amounts of offer guidance for applications in development.
basis or for areas that have waste, it can provide roll-
A solution to waste problems with vehicle access. on roll-off containers, large The event also highlighted alternative sources of funding such as
On larger industrial premises, skips or compactors. crowdfunding and opportunities for support that may not have been
Waste Solutions can offer considered such as Kind In Direct (who provide non-perishable products
A key strand of the Council’s Waste Solutions services is that that are no longer needed) and business and social enterprise support
it is reliable and can help convert waste direct to energy, from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
according to business manager Charlotte Todd. Coventry Welcomes Festival is a week-long
The event highlighted the demand for access to funding and the City of festival celebrated within the framework of the
Charlotte said that it offers “We offer safe and secure Culture Trust will deliver further events in the run up to 2021, with the national Refugee Week, running this year at
a one stop solution for waste waste collections at next event scheduled to take place in Nuneaton on 17 July. venues across the city centre.
management needs. She also competitive rates. We help
says that it is a quality approved businesses of all sizes with Over the years, Refugee Week has brought
business supporting the collection, their waste disposal and To see details of funders from our last Meet the Funder event, and to sign
up to the next one please visit www.coventry2021.co.uk/funding together people of all backgrounds to celebrate the
management and disposal of all recycling needs as well as contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and
Flexibility is key
waste. She added: providing a skip service to the welcome offered to them by British communities.
“I’ve been part of the local residents.
team here for 15 months “As a Council, people can This year launches the ‘Coventry Welcomes Festival’ as
and genuinely believe that trust us to offer a safe and Waste Solutions provide flexible services operating from: a brand to promote a more inclusive image of the city.
our local and experienced reliable service. Our expert MONDAY to FRIDAY SATURDAYS The festival will follow the national theme ’You, Me and
workforce has a real waste team is happy to 7am to 11pm 7am to 1pm Those Who Came Before’ as an invitation to explore
knowledge of the area talk ‘rubbish’ with you and the lives of refugees – and those who have welcomed
– which can make a big provide a bespoke quote They offer recycling schemes that can help businesses reduce waste them – throughout generations.
difference. and service.” disposal costs and become virtually zero-to-landfill. The recycling
material collected is sent to specialist treatment facilities and where Everyone is encouraged to attend events across the
waste cannot be recycled, it is sent to the waste to energy plant 9-day festival, from 15 to 23 June with activity building
where it will be incinerated and converted to energy. right up to the highlight of the festival, the ‘Party in the
City’ family fun day out at Broadgate in the city centre
Meet The Funder
Credit: Mark Radford Photography from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday 22 June.
Suitable for everyone! The new-look Coventry Welcomes Festival has been
curated through a partnership between Coventry City
If you have waste – they want it. If you are a retail
outlet, pub, restaurant, office, wholesale or warehouse Will you fly the flag of Culture Trust, Coventry City Council, MiFriendly
Cities, Positive Youth Foundation, Building Bridges,
facility, industrial unit, school/college or medical facility
then please get in touch! for human rights? Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre
and Maokwo.
For a free no obligation quotation or discussion please do not Between 24 - 30 June we will be celebrating 70 years of the UN
hesitate to contact the expert waste team on Declaration of Human Rights, marking their importance in our
everyday lives. For more information and to see the full festival
024 7683 2255 or visit Visit www.coventry2021.co.uk/fly-the-flag to find out more
programme visit www.coventrywelcomes.co.uk,
programmes will also be distributed around the city.
coventry.gov.uk/wastesolutions and to get involved.
10 I citivision I summer 2019 summer 2019 I citivision I 11
UK City of Culture 2021 UK City of Culture 2021
Creating Coventry UK City of Culture 2021
With the UK City of Culture Q
How will you be working with young people, especially
title on the horizon we met with Q ill you be working in
W
my community and how
Q
How are you going to
ensure that the City of
those who don’t normally engage?
can I get involved? Culture in Coventry is
Chenine Bhathena, the Creative The Trust have recruited a producer who will be hosted by Positive Youth Foundation to
Credit: Peter Marsh Photography
as green as possible? really understand the challenges faced by young people in the city, especially those most
Changing Trax Electric Proms
Director at the Coventry City Coventry communities are central
to our vision and we have a team of We want to be the greenest City of
at risk of exploitation. She will work closely with the youth partnership in the city to
of Culture Trust, to discuss what four producers who will be based in Culture to date and, recognising this as
develop a programme that is with and by young people. We want young people to feel
real change happening through City of Culture, engaging and investing in their city.
can be expected in the build-up neighbourhoods across the 18 wards
of the city. They will be out and
a national and international issue, want
to share our green journey with the
to, and during our year in the about working with schools, libraries, next City of Culture. Our Environment
spotlight. family hubs, local businesses, sports and Green Futures Programme Manager
centres, youth clubs, faith centres and will be developing projects across the Q
Coventry invented twin cities,
community centres. We have already city, looking into how green and brown Q
Mental health and loneliness
Q
Coventry is going to be a will City of Culture help to link
Q
What are the plans for 2021 and do you
have a team in place to deliver them?
met the Scouts, the U3A, Older Voices
and are working with the Cultural
spaces, rivers and canals will be key in
the programmes we develop. Across all
are UK-wide issues. Can City
of Culture do anything to
5G city – will this help to
shape the programme?
us to more places around the
world?
tackle them in Coventry?
Education Partnership. The producers of our work we will seek to work in a The future of the city is of great importance Coventry is the UK’s City of Culture at
We have recruited a dynamic, collaborative and caring
will use their expertise to support sustainable way, employing local people, We are very aware that many people in to us. The digital and technology revolution home and away. We will be developing
creative team who will work with citizens and diverse
existing activities as well as develop investing in the local supply chain and the city have expressed personal struggles is an incredible bright beacon ahead of us, international partnerships and exchanges
community organisations across Coventry to try and
new projects within communities. monitoring our carbon footprint. with a variety of mental health related transforming and powering our future. with cities across the world. Conversations
realise everyone’s dreams and ambitions. We are
We will find new ways to offset our issues. One of our producers will be Our new Digital Curator will commission have already begun with some of our twin
building a programme that keeps our people at the
Creating projects and events in the footprint locally, reflecting our embedded with Grapevine to collaborate innovative digital projects, working with cities and discussions are underway with
heart of everything we do.
local spaces and places that are commitment to the green future with charities and projects working with local gaming companies, artists, colleges, the British Council to understand our place
important to citizens is key. of the city. communities tackling mental health, universities and businesses. He will bring as a youthful city, a green city and a music
We want to work with all citizens in the city from all
We will look at innovative loneliness and isolation. We will collaborate in some of the best minds in the business city. We are very mindful of our role as a
cultural communities, to build a creative programme
new ways to spark new life with the NHS, community organisations to position Coventry at the forefront of city of peace and reconciliation and a city of
together that is joyful, entertaining and a great
into pockets of the such as The Pod, charities such as MIND creativity in socially engaged innovation and sanctuary and we seek to build connections
celebration of our people and places. We want to
city, with exciting live and local government to think about how green technology. with communities in other cities across the
empower the next generation of citizens to lead a
experiences with these communities can engage with City UK and globally.
culture of co-creation. We will invest in the spirit
amazing poets, of Culture and how we can support
and energy of our people, our pioneering spirit and
writers, musicians, some positive change.
our community activism. The 2021 programme will
have a strong social conscience and be mindful of the
film and theatre,
dancers, circus
Q
Will we see physical changes Q How are you planning on
making this the biggest and
challenges that people in our city and other cities are
facing. This is a really great chance to strengthen our
performers
and artists.
Q
How will you work with the
most vulnerable people in
to the city because of City of best UK City of Culture to
communities, creating greater pride and hope for the Culture and in what way? date?
our city and what impact
future. 2021 is a time to celebrate our humanity and to will it have? In the coming years the city will undergo This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
strengthen our internationalism. extensive regeneration with improvements to tell the world about our people and our
Informed by the Council’s Marmot City
to the public realm in the city centre. city, what makes us great, who we are, the
As our team starts to get out and about in the city, we action plan, one of our producers will
Our new Place Curator is going to work real spirit of our people and our beating
want to support the fantastic partnerships that already be embedded with Central England
closely with the city to introduce public art heart.
exist, as well as building some new ones. As we look Law Centre to create new projects that
interventions, promote a culture of street
towards the future, this will help us continue to deliver respond to communities facing poverty We will build a fantastic year with, and for,
art and to make sure that we work with
incredibly bold and ambitious projects long after 2021. in the city. We will work with housing communities in the city. There will be lots
artists and communities to build a playful
and homeless service providers such as of ways to take part, lots of fun activities,
and accessible City of Culture environment.
We are already working with local artists but also want Whitefriars and Orbit, community projects many free events, as well as some ticketed
to hear from others who are keen to get involved. We like Cyrenians and The Real Junk Food events, and some big broadcast moments,
Theatres, museums, the Cathedral and
have developed the Road to 2021 fund to support local Project and charities like Feeding Coventry, including of course the opening and
heritage sector have received additional
projects in the build-up to our spotlight year, working Crisis and the Samaritans, to really connect closing events.
funding from government, the City Council
with the Heart of England Community Foundation. with the most vulnerable people.
and the Local Enterprise Partnership to We will be the greenest, most youthful
This summer we are supporting some great activities in Get Involved We will also embed a producer with the help make improvements so that they can
welcome even more visitors in 2021.
and digitally connected City of Culture to
the city centre and neighbourhoods across the city, so Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre to date. Get ready to take part, volunteer,
Email us Info@coventry2021.co.uk | Tel 024 7699 8221 ensure that newer communities arriving in share ideas, create art and be active. There
watch this space for upcoming programmes of work as Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @Coventry2021 We also hope to transform hidden spaces,
we celebrate the spirit of the 2-Tone movement, the role the city have a chance to take part. We are are going to be so many opportunities for all
Sign up to our newsletter at www.coventry2021.co.uk currently supporting Coventry Welcomes empty spaces and empty shops with the different communities across the city.
of great women such as George Eliot, our human rights creative projects.
as a people, and the great music of our city. Find your local producer at www.coventry2021.co.uk/producers and MiFriendly Cities and so have already
started to develop relationships with We hope you are as excited as we are to
a variety of our different international get going!
communities across the city.
12 I citivision I summer 2019 summer 2019 I citivision I 13
UK City of Culture 2021 War Memorial Park
Park life
Coventry’s War Memorial Park ‘30s and there are also two cafes and an
has been at the heart of city life for education facility to help youngsters learn
almost a century. to understand – and love – nature.
The park opened in July 1921 to Whatever the season, a dedicated team
honour and remember the fallen of of rangers and gardeners work to make
the First World War and now around sure it is always looking its best. Their
Tale of Two Streets During 2018, renowned photographer Niall McDiarmid photographed 400,000 people visit every year. efforts have seen the park win Green Flag
presents the people the people of Far Gosford Street, an area of diverse tastes and cultures. As home to the Cenotaph, it is status for the past two years – the highest
and places of At the same time, a team of 10 graduate photographers from Coventry still the focal point of the annual award for parks in the UK - and it is also
Coventry, asking University immersed themselves around the Foleshill Road, exploring the Remembrance Service and Parade, but listed by English Heritage.
you to be curious private and public lives in the private and public spaces of the area. the beautiful grounds are also home to It was even given the royal seal of
about who we are sports lovers, festival-goers, joggers, approval five years ago, when His Royal
The Coventry City of Culture Trust commissioned Coventry-based Photo
as a city and to dog walkers and so much more right Highness The Duke of Cambridge paid a
Archive Miners who co-ordinated and delivered this project from 1 May to 2
join a conversation throughout the year. visit to launch Centenary Fields, a national
June. The resulting photographs and exhibitions were well received by those
about who we The park once belonged to the Lords initiative to protect war memorial fields,
who visited sites across the city, including locations from Greyfriars Green to
should become. of Styvechale Manor, and when the parks and green spaces.
FarGo Village and from the Bodyworx Gym to Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash. Tale of Two Streets Exhibition -
Niall McDiarmid shoot at FarGo Village Council bought the land it was little The park may have changed a lot since
Credit: Photo Archive Miners more than a grassed area of common. it opened, but nearly 100 years after
Landscaped gardens and sports those first people walked through the
Build Bridges with Imagineer areas were added in the late 1920s and gates, it’s more popular than ever.
Coventry-based Imagineer specialises in making Imagineer is collaborating with Arup to before its mystery is finally solved in a
theatre and outdoor performances, education produce a bridge building kit, inspired thrilling live performance.
programmes, special commissions and touring by Leonardo da Vinci, the original artist-
Claire Maddocks, Producer of Bridge,
work and is inviting community groups, schools, engineer, and his self-supporting bridge
explains: “Anyone wanting to be involved
businesses and individuals to build their own design.
with Bridge can do so by organising
Be a Friend
self-supporting bridge!
The bridge can be built by anyone of their own bridge building event. We will
any age and experience in less than two provide the kit and all we ask in return
to the park Game, set We will remember
hours and is an invitation to individuals, is that the bridges bring people together
groups and communities to work with who wouldn’t normally meet, the bridges
people they wouldn’t normally meet to be built in a prominent outdoor space
build the bridge.
The call-out forms part of Imagineer’s
and that the bridges are photographed
for our online gallery.”
The Friends of the War
Memorial Park group, was set
up in 2006, to help promote,
and match The park was opened to
remember the Fallen and there
of the First World War, but
those who lost their lives in the
Bridge project, which culminates this From football to park runs, the are around 800 memorial trees Second World War and other
develop and maintain the park.
September when an iconic and intriguing To find out more visit War Memorial Park is a great dedicated to those who lost conflicts. And in the Visitor
They have helped in many
bridge structure will appear in the centre www.imagineer-productions.co.uk place for fitness fans. their lives in conflict. Centre, the ‘Missing Faces’
major projects, including
of Coventry. The bridge will be the focus and follow the hashtag #ImagineBridge As well as football pitches, At the 87 foot high exhibition tells the stories
securing Lottery funding,
for a week of events and happenings bowling greens and tennis Cenotaph, you can read behind the names.
uncovering an old air raid
courts, a new Footgolf course lines from Laurence Binyon’s
shelter and developing a Did you know: a plaque
opens this summer for all the poem, ‘The Fallen’ and see
History Trail and Tree Trail. and oak tree mark the site of the
family to enjoy. poppies carrying the names
They also organise the
City Voices in your local area Christmas Concert and
produce their own Christmas
There’s also a splash and
play and a skateboard area for
of Coventry’s Victoria Cross
holders.
original Cenotaph near Spencer
Road. The oak is said to have
youngsters and park runs that Plaques around the park now grown from an acorn gathered at
cards and stationery, which Verdun, after the battle in 1916.
In the early spring we collaborated with Coventry-based theatre company, attract over 300 people remember not just the fallen
can be bought in the
Theatre Absolute, to begin a new project called City Voices. every week.
Visitor Centre.
The aim of the project lies in nurturing
and developing the voices of Coventry’s
The next phase of the project will see
regular weekly sessions taking place in
Become a member
by emailing
info@fwmpcoventry.org.uk
There’s even a fitness trail,
and, of course, a perimeter path
around the whole site for
dog walkers or people who
just want to enjoy the
beautiful surroundings.
Festival fun
communities, helping them to become different regions of the city. Participants will One of the main events in
storytellers. Several introductory writing have the chance to explore different ways the park’s calendar is the
sessions have already been held across
the city led by Coventry writers Chris
of telling stories by delving into the different
styles used for writing for the stage, radio,
Don’t just take much-loved Godiva Festival.
For three days every summer,
O’Connell and Vanessa Oakes, which have
been extremely popular.
film or poetry.
our word for it music lovers from around the city
and the UK flock to the park in
Chris O’Connell, Theatre Absolute’s own their thousands to see top acts
Comments on TripAdvisor
Theatre Absolute’s producer Julia Negus resident writer, continues: “One of the such as The Enemy, The
praising the park include:
said: “The initial writing sessions have been best parts about working in the heart of Christians, Kasabian and the
really inspiring. A lot of the participants a community is the ways in which you are A gem of a park Happy Mondays.
on the City Voices workshops have never both surprised and inspired by the talent The Festival is back this year
written before so it’s been great to get that lies unearthed or hidden in the city. Loved it here from 5-7 July and you can read
people scribbling away and to hear and We’re looking forward to digging deeper to more details on page 9.
read some wonderful stories.” reveal some unique voices.” City Voices Workshop
A brilliant place for And as well as Godiva, the
Credit: Chris O’Connell
a meet up with friends park is home to the ever-popular
For further information about the regular weekly writing workshops contact info@theatreabsolute.co.uk or call 07799 292 957. Donkey Derby, the Vaisakhi Mela
Great place for walking
and Bands in the Parks concerts.
the dog. A real jewel
14 I citivision I summer 2019 summer 2019 I citivision I 15
health focus health focus
It’s Coventry and Warwickshire Year of Wellbeing
The Year of Wellbeing is all about helping inspire
and empower people to improve their physical Bloggers’ stories help inspire others
and mental health and to celebrate the great Coventry people have been Down’s Syndrome on his daily life. Danielle, meanwhile, has been ■ Pictured Left to right are:
things already going on in Coventry. telling their own stories about Margaret shared how being explaining how mountain biking bloggers Rishard, Danielle and
their wellbeing journey. part of work at the Belgrade has helped her battle back against Barbara at a post-performance
Rishard was one of the first Theatre’s Elders Company has stress at work. discussion of Behind the Net
Coventry and Warwickshire primary schools to tell how he has used physical helped her maintain improved You can read their inspiring Curtains at the Belgrade.
have been increasing physical activity, and activity at the gym to help health and wellbeing by improving stories and many others online at
him overcome the impact of her connection with others. www.yearofwellbeing.org.uk
we have been encouraging people to start
conversations.
Employers are being asked to take steps to Meet us at Godiva
improve wellbeing in the workplace, and we The Year of Wellbeing Team will be at the Community
Village at the Godiva Festival, this year. Find them in the
are all being encouraged to make a change for Health and Wellbeing marquee on Saturday 6 July, say
ourselves and the people around us. hello, and find out more about local services and make
your Year of Wellbeing pledge!
Although our health and wellbeing are key parts
of everything that we do, sometimes we don’t do
enough to take best care of ourselves.
Make your pledge Planning for better health
Why not pledge to improve your cutting out alcohol or smoking
wellbeing? Tell us your pledge altogether. It’s up to you. A Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2019- than men in other areas of Coventry;
and join the online campaign Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet 2023 will be set out soon to target a while the gap for females is eight years.
using #onething, or go online at Member for Public Health, series of priorities to improve health in People in some areas are also more
www.onething.warwickshire.gov.uk said: “Hundreds of people the city. likely to spend a greater proportion of
It might be something small, have already made a pledge to The strategy is owned by the multi- their already shorter lives with ill health.
like drinking more water or improve their wellbeing during agency Coventry Health and Wellbeing To tackle this and other health issues
taking more steps each day. Or the year, and we want lots more Board and together with work from the strategy will also look for more
spending an extra hour each to take this opportunity. other local health and care partners opportunities to build upon examples of
week with an elderly neighbour “It might be just a small step, is being used to guide a range of local good work across local agencies.
or with your children. Or it but making a pledge like this has services. More details of the strategy are
might be a bigger commitment, been proven to help people to Males living in some parts of the city available at
such as changing your diet, or make a change.” can expect to live up to 10 years longer www.coventry.gov.uk/hwbstrategy
■ Pictured: Cllr Kamran Khan, Liz Gaulton and Cllr Ali.
What we have done so far Thousands of people in Coventry and Warwickshire have joined
in support of the Year of Wellbeing in their own ways.
■ Pictured: Local Brownies visiting
Coundon Manor care home.
DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY
Coventry Health and Spreading the word The Mind bus visited Coventry’s week- Brownies joined A choir, a brass band,
Wellbeing Board with Wasps: The Broadgate for the long Festival of residents at a tea dance at the
members agreed a plan Year of Wellbeing got first time on Time to Running brought Coundon Manor Cathedral, drama
for the Year of Wellbeing underway at the first Talk Day in February, thousands of care home, to join in and reminiscence
to help them strengthen Wasps’ game of the to help spread the people, young and craft activities and sessions all featured
joint working by public, season, with Coventry word about how we old alike, out into share some quality in Dementia Action
private and voluntary Ambassadors helping can all help support the outdoors. time together. Week, with people all
organisations across the out. good mental health. over the city getting
city. involved.
16 I citivision I spring 2019 spring 2019 I citivision I 17
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