THE ANNUAL celebration of Dame Goodyver’s Day took place in Coventry last week with participants having an amazing time.
The spirit of Godiva lives on through the event, held in conjunction with the annual Heritage Open Days, and the family of Godiva Coventry Sisters who represent cultures and faiths from around the world.
The group are led by Pru Porretta, Coventry’s very own Lady Godiva.
Pru told the Observer: “I am so proud of each and everyone of our sisters – all looking fantastic in their traditional costumes, carrying their hero banners and providing the cultural treats for our community picnic “
This was the 25th year the feast day had been celebrated after it was returned to the Coventry calendar following research which showed – prior to that – the event had not been celebrated for 400 years.
Then, 23 years after that, Pru introduced and invited the first Godiva Sisters to take part with six women representing different faiths or cultures
The total of sisters has grown to more than 50.
This year’s procession from Broadgate to Priory Gardens – the first place of Godiva’s Church – was the biggest and better than ever and included a Chinese dragon, a mystical phoenix, a Coventry horse, an Indian elephant and more.
Pru added: “I’m so happy all went well and we all enjoyed a beautiful sharing of love friendship and the message of unity and peace.”
She thanked everyone who attended, including Godiva Sister Sandra Zhang for the photographs of the day, a fantastic artist everyone worked with on umbrellas and Pru’s flower skirt
Other thanks went to textile artist and Godiva Sister Jane Morgan, the designer of Godiva booklet, Paul Maddocks, the Coventry Riders Action Group for helping set up and take down the event, sound engineer Dave Claridge and Helen Fountain, Joanna Kunda and her Polish choir Senza Nomme.
Other highlights included performances by Back to their Roots African dance group with Godiva Sister Anastasia, Jahman Aggrey’s African drumming, Latin American singing with Godiva Sister Isabel Langdon and Corrie representing The Notables Band.
Coventry City Council’s events team was praised for giving permissions and town crier Paul Curtis popped up with his bell to announce the sisters’ presence at Broadgate.
West Midlands Lieutenancy Col George Marsh DL MBE, Deputy Lord Mayor, Coun Rachel Lancaster, Rev Richard Hibbard, vicar of Holy Trinity, City of Coventry Freemans Guild represented by their Master, Rav Sandhu Global, the Pheniox Lions and the president of Coventry Rotary Allan Jones all attended.
Pru was also praised for all her hard work.
Ukrainian Godiva Sister Iryna King said the festival was her favourite Coventry event of the year.
“Every year our beautiful Lady Godiva (Pru) organises this amazing event, gathering ladies of different nationalities who wear their stunning traditional dresses, representatives of different organisations, communities and faiths, celebrating Dame Goodyvers Daye in peace, harmony and mutual respect.”
