River Sherbourne

**Lex** · 10-01-2015, 03:34 PM

Well, well, I never knew Coventry had a river: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-30446327

cathidaw · 10-01-2015, 04:59 PM

I always thought it was a crying shame that this river was covered up.At the bottom of the Burgess, go through the archway at the side of the old jewellers and just about the only bit is showing.It goes under an ancient archway under the Burgess. I do feel that if the planners came out of their offices and walked around instead of looking at plans-some of which are beautiful and nostalgic but incorrect- they would have seen it all
.One could reach it from Palmer Lane but I think it's blocked up now by that modern and expensive mess of plain concrete at the side of Ironmonger Row..
The river under the bridge along the London Road at Whitley-going towards Asda -is the Sherbourne and behind the Charterhouse it flows towards the city, passing St Annes church in Acacia Avenue where we paddled in our best clothes after Sunday School..Risking our parents anger. Coventrians knew it well.
My mother was from Lancashire , but was a staunch Coventrian and knew it's history like her own hand.She worked as a nurse at the Charterhouse when it was a home for retired and sick officers.
(My dad's contribution was to be a member of the pub/ club which was there in the 60sfor many years)

rebbonk · 10-01-2015, 05:29 PM

This may interest you link

Searching the site may yield other gems...

cathidaw · 10-01-2015, 11:03 PM

Thanks rebbonk-the pics are wonderful.--I want to go!!!
and I thought I knew Coventry. I had spinal shivers.
The river must go underground as it leaves St Annes church-towards Gulson Hospital (that was). I was a nurse there and remember the river behind it with 3 planks across.It seemed wide then but probably wasn't. We would be able to walk the planks to go to the Cinema in Gosford Street.It was forbidden-but..
The photos are so good. One shows the arch off the Burges, with the back of the jewellers shop with little window.

I've been down the Paris sewers and the catacombs- and in Cyprus but--on our doorstep--magic.