COVBible

🩵 Some things are bigger than football. Bradley Lowery deserves to be remembered with love, not hate. Like so many Coventry City supporters, we're disgusted by footage circulating from yesterday's match against Sunderland, which appears to show a Coventry fan using a photograph of Bradley Lowery to taunt visiting supporters. Bradley was just six years old when he died from cancer in 2017. His courage, his beautiful smile and his love for Sunderland touched football fans across the country, regardless of which team they supported. There is absolutely no place for mocking a child who lost his life to cancer. Not in Coventry, not in Sunderland, not anywhere. Football rivalry is one thing, but this crosses every line of basic human decency. Bradley's mum, Gemma, has now shared a heartbreaking statement explaining how much the photograph means to her family. "My beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate." She has also asked people not to direct hatred towards the individual involved, but instead to help him understand the hurt his actions have caused. We wholeheartedly support that message. And that's where we'd like to turn our attention. The Bradley Lowery Foundation continues Bradley's legacy by supporting children battling cancer and their families, including through Super Brad's Pad, which offers families precious time together away from hospital life. We're asking the Coventry community to show Bradley's family what our city is really about. If you're able to spare even a few pounds, please consider making a donation to the foundation in Bradley's memory. ❤️ Donate or learn more: bradleyloweryfoundation.com/ Let's make sure Bradley's beautiful smile, not the actions of one supporter, is what people remember. From Coventry to Sunderland, sending love to Bradley's family. 🩵❤️ #CancerHasNoColours #BradleyLowery

🩵 Coventry City Council is facing renewed pressure to end its controversial contract with US technology giant Palantir, but residents have been told it could take up to 18 months to review alternative providers. Protesters gathered outside the Council House as a petition signed by 37 people was presented during a full council meeting, calling for an immediate review of the agreement. Labour councillor Sanjida Jobbar, who presented the petition, raised concerns about privacy, data security and the company's involvement in international conflicts. She told councillors: "This is not simply about one company, it is about protecting our residents, upholding our values and ensuring public confidence in how their data is used." Palantir's software is currently being used by Coventry Council in children's social care, including transcribing social workers' case notes. It also supports applications for emergency financial assistance through the Crisis Resilience Fund and helps process corporate complaints. There are plans to expand its use into adult social care financial assessments and kinship foster care. However, councillor Richard Brown, the cabinet member responsible for finance and resources, said reviewing alternatives would take between 12 and 18 months. He acknowledged the pressure from campaigners but insisted the process must be handled properly. He also confirmed that Palantir had delivered everything the council had asked of it. The debate became particularly heated when Reform councillor Marcus Lapsa referred to protesters outside the Council House as "useful idiots". Council officers have warned that ending the contract without an alternative could disrupt services, including financial support for vulnerable residents. Campaigners, meanwhile, argue that the council should not be working with a company facing serious questions about its involvement in military technology and the handling of sensitive information.

🥢🩵 Is your name Greg? Gregg? Gregory? Or even Greggie? Well, you might be in luck because a Coventry noodle bar is giving away FREE spring rolls to people with those names! And yes, it's a genuine promotion. Chopstix, inside West Orchards Shopping Centre, has launched a rather unusual giveaway as part of its new campaign encouraging people to ditch their boring lunchtime sandwiches. Anyone with one of the qualifying names can claim three free vegetable spring rolls on selected dates throughout November. The eligible names include: Greg, Gregg, Gregory, Gregor, Greggie, Greggy and Gregs. To claim the offer, customers need to register online for a voucher and bring valid government-issued identification showing their qualifying name. 🥢 Free spring rolls at Chopstix 📍 Unit R6, West Orchards Shopping Centre, Coventry, CV1 1QX 📅 Monday 2 November 📅 Monday 9 November 📅 Monday 16 November 📅 Monday 23 November 🎟️ Three free vegetable spring rolls for qualifying customers. The promotion is available on those four Mondays, rather than every day throughout November. 🩵 We can't help feeling a little sorry for everyone called Gary, Graham or Gordon! Do you know a Greg who needs to hear about this? Tag them below!

🏰🩵 Did you know one of the most extraordinary parts of the Gunpowder Plot happened right here in Coventry? And it involved a nine-year-old princess living at Coombe Abbey! Most of us know the story of Guy Fawkes and the attempt to blow up Parliament on 5 November 1605. But what many people don't realise is that the conspirators had another plan involving Coventry. While Guy Fawkes prepared to ignite the gunpowder beneath Parliament, his fellow conspirators intended to launch an uprising in the Midlands. Their target was Princess Elizabeth, the young daughter of King James I. At the time, she was living at Coombe Abbey, just outside Coventry. The conspirators planned to seize the princess and use her as a figurehead for a new government after the king and his leading ministers had been killed. And Coventry itself played a part in the unfolding events. Historical records describe Robert Catesby and other conspirators setting off from the Black Bull Inn on Smithford Street on 4 November 1605. But the plot was discovered before their plans could succeed. When news of the conspiracy reached those responsible for Elizabeth's safety, she was moved from Coombe Abbey into the walled city of Coventry for protection. The princess survived and later became Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia. It's quite remarkable to think that the grounds where Coventry families now enjoy walks, picnics and days out were once connected to an attempt to overthrow the English monarchy. And with Bonfire Night approaching, it's a fascinating piece of local history worth remembering. 🩵 Did you know about Coventry's connection to the Gunpowder Plot?

🩵 Could you spare just 30 minutes of your week to make a real difference to somebody in Coventry? A local charity is looking for volunteers who would be happy to spend a little time with older residents who might otherwise have nobody to talk to. And there's an opportunity to find out more in Wood End this Tuesday. Good Neighbours Coventry, a project run by HOPE Coventry, helps connect volunteers with older people who may be lonely, isolated or unable to get out of the house very often. The idea is simple. You spend around 30 to 60 minutes visiting somebody for a friendly chat, either once a week or every fortnight. You might talk about Coventry's history, share memories of the city, discuss hobbies or simply enjoy a cup of tea together. The charity carefully matches volunteers with older people who have similar interests, so both can enjoy the experience. And there's support available if volunteers need advice or guidance. If you've ever considered volunteering but weren't sure where to begin, there's a special information session taking place this week. 🩵 Good Neighbours Coventry volunteering session 📅 Tuesday 3 November 2026 ⏰ 1pm–2pm 📍 Moat House Leisure Centre Café, Winston Avenue, Wood End, Coventry, CV2 1EA 👥 Organised by HOPE Coventry 📋 Places are limited, with registration available online. The session will explain how the befriending scheme works and how people can get involved. 🩵 Sometimes something as simple as a friendly conversation can make somebody's entire week. And Coventry has plenty of wonderful people who would happily help if they knew where they were needed.

🎤🩵 Coventry's Black History Month celebrations are finishing with a free afternoon of live music, poetry and entertainment at FarGo Village today! And some of our city's local performers will be taking centre stage. After a month of events celebrating Black history, heritage and culture, Coventry is bringing its official programme to a close with a special Quiz Night and Open Mic. The afternoon will feature quiz rounds exploring Black history and culture, alongside live music, poetry and spoken-word performances. It's designed to be an informal event where people can come together, learn something new and enjoy performances from local talent. And everybody is welcome! 🎤 Black History Month: Quiz Night and Open Mic 📅 Saturday 31 October ⏰ 3pm–6pm 📍 The Box, FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry, CV1 5ED 🎟️ Free admission 👥 Suitable for all ages Advance registration is available through Coventry City Council. 🩵 Coventry has an incredible mix of cultures and communities, and events like this are a lovely opportunity to discover some of the creative talent we have right here in our city. Which Coventry musicians, poets or performers deserve more recognition? Tag them below. We'd love to feature more local talent!

🎨🩵 Looking for something free to do with the children in Coventry today? Warwick Arts Centre is hosting a creative workshop where youngsters can make their own colourful little creatures! And it's being led by an artist who specialises in turning everyday materials into imaginative creations. The Pompom Beasties workshop gives children the chance to create their own fuzzy characters using colourful wool and craft materials. Youngsters can learn how to make pompoms before decorating them to look like their favourite characters from television, films or the theatre. The workshop is being led by artist Benny Semp, who regularly works with schools, galleries and community organisations. It's taking place alongside performances of Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape, a family musical based on the children's books by Dermot O'Leary. The creative workshop is advertised as free, while tickets for the theatre performance are sold separately. 🎨 Pompom Beasties Workshop 📅 Saturday 31 October ⏰ 1.30pm–4.30pm 📍 Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7FD 🎟️ Free workshop Families who aren't attending the theatre performance should check participation arrangements with the venue. 🩵 It's always good to find activities that don't cost families a fortune, especially during the school holidays.

🚨🍟 Police are hunting for a van driver who smashed through a Coventry McDonald's drive-thru, ripped the back of the van CLEAN OFF and then carried on driving! And somehow, nobody was injured! The extraordinary incident happened at McDonald's on Gallagher Retail Park at around 1.30am on Friday 23 October. According to recovery workers called to the scene, the large commercial van first struck the drive-thru's height restriction barrier with considerable force. But instead of stopping, the driver continued forward, crashing through the canopy and ordering screens. The impact was so severe that the van's large Luton-style box body became completely separated from its chassis! Incredibly, the driver reportedly carried on through the remaining section of the drive-thru before leaving the scene. Rockhocker Rescue and Recovery were called in to remove the wreckage, which had become tangled around the drive-thru equipment. The company shared photographs of the damage and joked: "Do you want fries with that?" Recovery workers had to carefully cut into the wreckage and winch it away from the ordering screens to avoid causing further damage. Both drive-thru lanes were initially closed but have since reopened. West Midlands Police have confirmed they're investigating the incident and are appealing for information or footage. 📞 Anyone who can help should contact police on 101 or via Live Chat, quoting crime reference 20/445970/26. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. 🩵 Did anybody see what happened at Gallagher Retail Park that night?

🌍🩵 Coventry is bringing Black History Month to a close this Saturday with a FREE afternoon of live music, poetry, spoken-word performances and a special Black history quiz! And everybody is welcome. The event is taking place at The Box in FarGo Village, bringing together local performers, creatives and residents for an afternoon celebrating Black history and culture. There'll be quiz rounds exploring important people, events and achievements, alongside opportunities to enjoy performances from local musicians, poets and spoken-word artists. It's part of Coventry's wider Black History Month programme, which has included art workshops, film screenings, cultural discussions and community activities throughout October. The aim is to bring people together to celebrate Black history, creativity and the contribution of Black communities to Coventry and beyond. 📅 Saturday 31 October 2026 ⏰ 3pm–6pm 📍 The Box, FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry, CV1 5ED 🎟️ FREE admission 📝 Advance booking available through Coventry City Council's Black History Month programme It's a good opportunity to discover local creative talent and enjoy something different this weekend. 🩵 Coventry has a rich history of music, culture and community activism, and we'd love to give more attention to the people keeping those traditions alive. Which Coventry musicians, poets, artists or community organisations deserve more recognition?

🎄🩵 More than 2,200 children in Coventry received Christmas presents last year thanks to one incredible local charity. Now they're preparing to do it all again, and they need our help! Coventry City Mission runs a project called The Giving Tree, making sure children whose families are struggling financially don't have to wake up on Christmas morning without a present. And the scale of the project might surprise you. Last Christmas, the charity provided gifts for 2,201 children from 941 families across Coventry, the highest number it had ever supported. More than £30,000 worth of presents were distributed, all made possible through donations, grants and the work of local volunteers. The charity says the record number of families needing help reflects the pressure that rising living costs continue to place on Coventry households. With Christmas 2026 approaching, preparations are underway again. The Giving Tree relies on donations from residents, businesses and organisations, alongside volunteers who help make the project happen. Families who need support will be able to register online or in person from the beginning of November, with further details to be announced by the charity. If you're in a position to help, even a small contribution could make a difference to a local child this Christmas. 📍 Coventry City Mission, Deedmore Christian Centre, Deedmore Road, Coventry, CV2 2AA 📧 [email protected] 🩵 We know times are difficult for many Coventry families, but it's remarkable what people across this city can achieve when they come together. Would your workplace, business or community group consider supporting The Giving Tree this Christmas?

🦢🩵 DID YOU KNOW? Coventry's Swanswell Pool once had ROWING BOATS you could hire, a swan donated by the KING and an island that may contain rubble from the Coventry Blitz! And its history goes back hundreds of years further than you might imagine. Thousands of people have walked around Swanswell Pool over the years, but how many know what used to happen there? According to Coventry City Council's historical records, the pool may have been created as a fishpond for monks during the 12th century. By the 1800s, it had become an important part of Coventry's landscape, with mills and waterworks operating nearby. But here's where things get particularly interesting. In 1904, King Edward VII actually donated a swan to Swanswell Pool! Other swans were donated by local benefactors, including pairs of black swans. And if you're old enough to remember Coventry during the 1950s and 1960s, you might recall something else. You could hire rowing boats and take them out onto the water! The boats were available until the late 1960s, and the remains of a building on the island are believed to be connected to their storage. Swanswell also played an important role during the Second World War. When German bombing destroyed much of Coventry's water infrastructure, the pool and River Sherbourne became vital sources of water for firefighters tackling the devastating blazes. The council's historical research even suggests that rubble from the Blitz may have been used to help construct the island. Some of the old stonework could potentially have come from buildings destroyed during the bombing, although that hasn't been conclusively established. Today, Swanswell remains a peaceful little green space close to the city centre, with its familiar swans, ducks and pathways. But it certainly has some stories to tell!

🚗🩵 More than 100 NEW JOBS are set to be created in Coventry as a huge former car dealership prepares to reopen! And the site has been sitting empty for more than two years. Big Motoring World has confirmed plans to transform the former CarStore premises on Old Church Road into one of the Midlands' largest used car supermarkets. The company has acquired the 11-acre site, which previously operated as CarStore before closing in August 2024. When it opens, the new dealership will have room for more than 550 vehicles, including a substantial selection of electric cars. But the biggest news is the employment opportunities. The company expects to create more than 100 jobs across sales, administration, finance, customer support, vehicle preparation, logistics and aftersales services. It's aiming to open during the first three months of 2027, although an exact opening date hasn't been announced. At least 30% of the cars available at the new dealership are expected to be electric. The development will also bring a large commercial site back into use after a lengthy period of closure. 🩵 Coventry has such a long history with the motor industry, and while this isn't another car factory, it's encouraging to see an empty automotive site being brought back into use. Do you remember the old CarStore on Old Church Road?

🌍🩵 A huge celebration of food, music and cultures from around the world is coming to Coventry next month! And children aged 13 and under can attend completely FREE! Coventry's World Food and Culture Festival is taking place at Walsgrave Club on Saturday 7 November, bringing together communities from different backgrounds for a day of international food and entertainment. Visitors will be able to explore traditional dishes from different countries, enjoy live music and cultural performances, and discover independent traders selling arts, crafts and other products. There'll also be dancing, family activities and opportunities to learn more about the different cultures that make Coventry such a diverse city. The festival is being organised by Coventry Culture Collective, with the aim of bringing people together through food, music and shared experiences. 📅 Saturday 7 November 2026 ⏰ 1pm–11pm 📍 Walsgrave Club, 146 Woodway Lane, Coventry, CV2 2EJ 🎟️ £5 for ages 14 and over 👧 FREE for children aged 13 and under 🚗 Free parking advertised The event is open to everyone, with tickets available online. 🩵 One of the best things about Coventry is the variety of cultures, communities and traditions that have helped shape our city. And food is certainly one of the nicest ways to discover them!

🏆🩵 Did you know the crowds celebrating Coventry City's famous 1987 FA Cup victory were so enormous that the driver SWITCHED OFF the bus engine and let the fans push it through the city?! And the original bus is still here in Coventry! On 16 May 1987, Coventry City made history by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at Wembley to win the FA Cup for the first time. The following day, thousands upon thousands of supporters packed Coventry's streets to welcome their heroes home. The players travelled through the city aboard a specially converted open-top bus, painted in the famous Sky Blue colours. But the journey was anything but straightforward. Barry Mapperson, who worked at Coventry Transport Museum and drove the bus that day, later recalled how the enormous crowds made it almost impossible to move. Supporters surrounded the vehicle, climbed onto the back and pressed against the windscreen. By the time the bus reached Broadgate, Barry had switched off the engine and the movement of the crowd was effectively pushing it along! And there's another fascinating detail. The bus had been prepared before anybody knew whether Coventry would actually win the cup. The word 'Winners' was added after the victory, and the paint was still wet when the team began its parade! That original 1973 Daimler Fleetline bus is now preserved at Coventry Transport Museum, where visitors can see one of the most famous vehicles in our city's sporting history. 🩵 It's difficult to imagine Coventry ever experiencing another day quite like 17 May 1987. An entire city celebrating together, with the streets packed from one end to the other. Were YOU there for Coventry City's famous FA Cup victory parade?

🎃🩵 There's a Halloween party happening in Coventry's Radford neighbourhood this Friday, with a DJ, fancy dress competition, glowsticks and refreshments for just £3 per child! And it's being held at Jubilee Crescent Community Centre! The centre is preparing for an afternoon of Halloween fun, giving local children the chance to dress up, dance and enjoy some half-term entertainment. There'll be music from a DJ, glowsticks, juice and crisps, alongside a special fancy dress competition. Children are encouraged to come along wearing their favourite Halloween costumes, whether that's something spooky, funny or completely imaginative. It's a smaller neighbourhood event rather than one of the big commercial Halloween attractions, and tickets are priced at £3 per child. 📅 Friday 30 October 2026 ⏰ 2.30pm–5.30pm 📍 Jubilee Crescent Community Centre, Jubilee Crescent, Radford, Coventry, CV6 3EX 🎟️ £3 per child 🎶 DJ and dancing 👻 Fancy dress competition 🥤 Juice and crisps 📝 Booking enquiries: [email protected] Families are asked to email the organiser to register their interest. 🩵 We love highlighting the smaller community events happening around Coventry, especially those that give children something affordable to enjoy during the school holidays.

🩵 A Coventry community group is offering local men somewhere to talk, make friends or simply sit and listen, completely FREE of charge. And its next meeting is happening tomorrow evening. Roots of Resilience is a Coventry-based organisation helping men build friendships, improve their wellbeing and feel less isolated. Its monthly men's group provides a relaxed space where people can discuss whatever might be happening in their lives, whether that's work, family, money, relationships or simply the stresses of everyday life. There's no pressure to share anything personal, and nobody is expected to speak if they don't want to. Some men attend simply to listen and enjoy being around other people. The sessions are run by volunteers, including people who originally attended the group themselves. And if you're nervous about walking into a room full of strangers, the organisers say you can contact them beforehand and arrange for somebody to meet you at the door. 📅 Thursday 29 October 2026 ⏰ 7.30pm 📍 Massey Ferguson Sports & Social Club, Broad Lane, Coventry, CV5 7NL 🎟️ Completely FREE 👨 Open to men aged 18 and over 📱 WhatsApp: 07348 074165 The group meets on the last Thursday of every month. 🩵 Sometimes having somebody to talk to, or even just somewhere to go for a couple of hours, can make a difference. Coventry has some wonderful community organisations doing this sort of work, often without receiving much attention. Do you know a Coventry community group that's helping people feel less isolated? Give them a mention below. We'd love to highlight more of them!

🕰️🩵 Did you know Coventry once sentenced a silk weaver to DEATH after workers rebelled against machines taking over their jobs? And what happened next was quite extraordinary. Back in 1831, Coventry was one of Britain's most important silk ribbon-weaving centres. Thousands of local people depended on the industry for their livelihoods, with weaving providing employment for entire families. But the introduction of steam-powered machinery was creating enormous tensions. Traditional workers feared that machines would destroy their livelihoods, leaving skilled weavers unable to compete. On 7 November 1831, those tensions exploded. An angry crowd attacked the factory of Josiah Beck, a Coventry manufacturer who had introduced steam-powered weaving machinery. The protesters smashed looms, destroyed equipment and set the building on fire. Several people were arrested, including a silk weaver named Thomas Burbury. When the case reached court in 1832, Burbury and fellow defendant Benjamin Sparkes were sentenced to death. But both men received last-minute reprieves, with their sentences changed to transportation overseas. Burbury was sent to Van Diemen's Land, now Tasmania, where his life took another remarkable turn. He eventually became a constable, received a pardon and later served as a local councillor. His grandson, Sir Stanley Burbury, would eventually become Governor of Tasmania! It's an extraordinary journey for a man who had once faced execution following a riot in Coventry. 🩵 Coventry's industrial history isn't just about famous factories and the cars we built. It's also about the workers who fought over the future of their livelihoods. Did you know about Coventry's silk-weaving riots? And did anybody in your family work in Coventry's ribbon-weaving industry?

🎼🩵 Coventry Cathedral is preparing to host an extraordinary musical performance this Saturday, with a piece of music believed to have been performed in Britain only ONCE before! And around 150 singers will be taking part. As Coventry's Black History Month celebrations draw to a close, the cathedral is hosting a special concert celebrating the work of Black classical composers. The centrepiece will be The Ordering of Moses, written by African-American composer R. Nathaniel Dett. The remarkable composition combines the traditions of European classical music with African-American spirituals, telling the biblical story of Moses leading his people out of Egypt. Although Dett was one of the pioneering Black composers of the twentieth century, much of his music remains relatively unfamiliar to British audiences. According to the organisers, Saturday's performance will be only the second time The Ordering of Moses has been performed in the UK. The concert will bring together Coventry Cathedral Chorus, the Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir, Divertimento and Leamington Sinfonia, alongside four soloists. There'll also be music by other influential Black composers, including Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, William Dawson, Florence Price and Undine Smith Moore. 📅 Saturday 31 October 2026 ⏰ 7.30pm–10pm 📍 Coventry Cathedral, Priory Street, CV1 5AB 🎟️ Standard tickets: £22.50 🎟️ Concession tickets: £5 🩵 Coventry has such a rich musical history, and it's good to see our cathedral providing a stage for music that audiences in this country rarely get the chance to hear.