IT HAS been another busy year in Coventry and we are proud to have brought you all the biggest stories, as well as helping with fund-raising appeals and community campaigns along the way.
Among our best-read stories were the Sky Blues’ battle over the poor state of its pitch with the then CBS Arena owners at the start of the season, the Coventry City Council bin lorry drivers’ strike and the stunning drone show which came to War Memorial Park in May.
Picture by Lucy Ray- PA. s
There was the Coventry Council elections which led to the city getting its first Green Party councillor Stephen Gray. It was fitting in that the origins of the Green Party of England and Wales began in the People Party which was founded in Coventry in November 1972. It later became the Ecology Party in 1975 and, in 1985, changed to the Green Party.
As always there was a lot of interest in the police and crime stories we have kept you up-to-date with.
There have been numerous sporting stories and sagas, surrounding Coventry City FC and Wasps.
Coventry Building Society Arena.
Picture by Marcus Mingins 4422007MMR3 copyright Bullivant Media
And boxer Dylan Cheema has proved popular as well after winning his first seven professional fights. He suffered a setback in his last bout but will be looking to bounce back in 2023.
Coventry also played its part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosting some of the events.
Action in the Men’s under 60kg between Englands Ashley McKenzie and Scotlands Dylan Munro. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3122002MMR8 copyright Bullivant Media
The saga surrounding the Coventry Bees’ Brandon Stadium has rumbled on throughout 2022 with hopes of seeing it restored to its former glory and the sport returning in the future.
We have brought you plenty of positive stories about new businesses and jobs coming to the city.
There was a heart-warming story about Ian Oakley and Jayne Townley who met whilst volunteering at the Assembly Festival Garden during the City of Culture Year and they had a blessing at the venue after their wedding just days before the venue closed.
On the quirky side of the news we had the World Naked Bike Ride return to the city after last year’s successful first outing.
We covered how Coventry celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee and then mourned the death of the late monarch.
Coventry matron May Parsons, who delivered the world’s first Covid vaccine outside of trials, represented the NHS in the Queen’s funeral procession.
This was followed by the pomp and circumstance of the city’s Proclamation of King Charles III.
There was more sad news to bring the curtain down on the year with the death of Coventry music legend – The Specials frontman Terry Hall on December 18.
We are looking forward to bringing you more news, sport and features in print and online – at coventryobserver.co.uk – in 2023.
We want to wish our readers and advertisers a very happy and prosperous new year.
