A COVENTRY duo fascinated by the unique role elephants play in local history have created a new book documenting every sighting of the animal in the city.
Photographer and historian Scott Duffin first took an interest in the animal’s significance to the city in 2020 after seeing several images of various local pictures and carvings of an elephant on the Visit Historic Coventry Facebook page.
Scott then set off on a mission to photograph every elephant in the city.
Author Adam Wood bumped into Scott at the demolition of the city’s historic Black Horse pub in January and offered to help collate his massive catalogue of images into a book.
Scott and Adam’s book ‘Elephants of Coventry’ contains snaps of the various elephants around the city, including one outside the Council house, the Belgrade Theatre and at various sporting clubs and pubs.
It also has various facts about the animal and its role in Coventry’s history.
The elephant is featured in Coventry’s coat of arms and is also a prominent part of Coventry Rugby Club’s badge.
Local historian Mary Dormer Harris thought the elephant had a religious meaning and saw it as a beast so strong it could carry Coventry’s castle full of armed men.
It was also seen as a symbol of Christ’s redemption of the human race.
Scott told the Observer: “The elephant is in so many elements of Coventry, its history and its culture.
“This has been a really exciting project and I know Coventrians in general really appreciate learning about the city’s heritage, so I hope they like the book.”
The book features a foreward from Coventry Society member and local historian Paul Maddocks.
Adam added: “Everyone we’ve approached for information has been fantastic.
“The elephant and its relevance to Coventry is something everyone can get invested in.”
The book is available to pre-order now, and the duo have also created an Elephants of Coventry calendar.
They will also be selling copies at the market in Broadgate between December 11 and 17.
Future projects could also include a walking map or elephant-themed clothing.
Visit www.CoventryElephants.com to pre-order the book.
