Walsgrave

Walsgrave-On-Sowe was a village located about 3 miles north-east of Coventry, West Midlands in England. It was built on marsh lands, although the city sees very little flooding. However, due to urban growth, it is now an outer suburb of the city, near to Ansty, Shilton and Hinckley. Walsgrave-On-Sowe neighbours the Wood End area and both are in the Henley Ward of the city.

History

Walsgrave has reputedly been in existence for approximately 1,000 years. The first mention of a chapel in Walsgrave-On-Sowe (then known as Sowe) was in 1221. The chapel would have been built after 1086, as there is no reference in the Domesday Book of a priest serving the area. St Mary's Church currently stands on site of the former chapel. The original graveyard for the church was covered over and now forms the slope in front of the church, facing onto the main road.

Walsgrave grew into a sizeable village commercially based around agriculture and coal mining. Plans for incorporating Walsgrave within the boundaries of Coventry were proposed in the late 1920s, and Walsgrave gradually lost its individual identity owing to new road development, the replacement of much of its older buildings and houses with new housing schemes, and the eventual closure of the pit. However, an old weaver's cottage lies directly opposite St. Mary's Church; subjected to fire and weathering, it has been restored a number of times but still stands as a reminder of the village's origins. (This cottage became derelict and has now been demolished and now incorporates a row of new cottages).

Economy

Walsgrave lies south of the M6 and M69 interchange and has a growing commercial area including a Barclays bank call centre, Lloyds Pharmacy Head Office and several other companies important to Coventry. Opposite Paradise Way is the Walsgrave Triangle Retail Park and Cross Point Business Park. Here there is a Holiday Inn, Toys 'R' Us, a large Tesco store, a Frankie & Bennys restaurant, a Nando's, Showcase Cinema, Taybarns restaurant and several more business offices and warehouses.

The Mound, is located half way down Brade Drive, behind the Gala Bingo Hall and ASDA supermarkets.

Infrastructure

Health

Coventry's new PFI hospital, University Hospital Coventry, has replaced the buildings of the former Walsgrave Hospital. This hospital now has a Helipad, and receives a large number of patients from all over the Midlands.

Education

Nearby schools include Sir Frank Whittle, Potters Green Primary, Walsgrave CoE Primary School and SS Peter and Paul RC Primary. There are two secondary schools in the area, which are Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School and Language College and Grace Academy, formally known as Woodway Park School and Community College.

References

*Albert Smith and David Fry: (1991). "The Coventry We Have Lost". Vol 1. Simanda Press, Berkswell. ISBN 0-9513867-1-9