AS COVENTRY approaches 2021, the talk is of the year of City of Culture becoming a landmark moment.
But another milestone will be celebrated in Coventry – a century of War Memorial Park.
The Friends of the War Memorial Park say they are planning a year-long celebration, looking to involve as many people as possible in celebrating this birthday, with a year-long programme of events, starting in the summer of 2021.
Trevor Cornfoot, Vice-Chair of the Friends, said: “Every year, 400,000 people use the park – and we’d like to get everyone to celebrate its birthday.
“As a voluntary organisation, we don’t have big funds ourselves. But we’ve supported several initiatives to improve the park since we started the group in 2006, and we’ll do all we can to help make its birthday a success.”
The group added: “To prepare for the celebrations, the Friends are launching a call for ideas. How would you celebrate the Park’s 100th birthday? What would you like to see? And can you help to make it a success?
“We’re looking for stories, photographs, videos, memories of the park and ways to showcase them.
“We’d like park users to get involved. Suggest ideas. Register your support. Offer practical help. And spread the word across the city.”
The park was created on the site of sheep grazing pasture in Stivichall – on its website, Historic Coventry says: “In honour of the fallen during World War One, plans were made for the laying out of a memorial park in 1919 on the land which covered much of Stivichall Common. The park was officially opened on the 9th July 1921 but building continued throughout the 1920s, largely using local unemployed men.
“By 1927, the monument [to the fallen] was completed.”
In autumn 2019, the Friends started to discuss the idea of celebrating the Memorial Park’s 100th birthday with both the City Council and Coventry City of Culture Trust. Both organisations have given their support to the initiative.
Councillor Becky Gittins (Lab, Earlsdon), said: “The War Memorial Park is a huge staple of the City’s history and culture. In the century since it was established, the park has grown and thrived, playing host to Coventry’s diverse and changing culture through the introduction of new areas and gardens and through being the venue for everything from Vaisakhi Festival to Bat walks!”
City of Culture Creative Director Chenine Bhathena is fully behind the idea too: “The War Memorial Park is not only a beautiful example of Coventry’s natural heritage but reflects our pioneering industrial and social heritage, and is a testament to our commitment to remember and celebrate our great people and those around the world caught up in conflict – truly ‘the People’s Park.’ We look forward to seeing the Friends of the War Memorial Park anniversary plans unfold”
Residents can suggest ideas via the Friends’ website www.fwmpcoventry.org.uk, or drop them into the Friends’ postbox in the visitors’ centre.
