by Admin | Nov 5, 2025 | Community Events, Coventry
85th Anniversary of Coventry Blitz
Friday the 14th of November marks the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz of 1940. This night saw devastation across Coventry and the destruction of the Cathedral Church of St. Michael.
If you’d like to learn more about the Coventry Blitz and the Cathedral, you can also pay visit to the Blitz Museum
As the city comes together to mark the 85th anniversary of the fateful night of 14 November 1940, a number of public events and activities have been organised around the anniversary.
The anniversary of the Blitz, also falls into Coventry’s annual Peace Festival, an annual month of events, activities and workshops where Coventry’s communities come together to promote the city as a City of Peace and Reconciliation.
List of events
- Civil Service and Vigil, Coventry Cathedral and Cathedral Ruins
- The Great Blitz Build, Broadgate
- Remembrance Sunday, War Memorial Park
- Remembrance Sunday, Civilian Service, London Road Cemetery
- Poppy Drop, West Orchards Shopping Centre, Coventry City Centre
- Blitz tour of St Mary’s Guildhall, St Mary’s Guildhall, St Mary’s Street, Coventry
- Blitz-themed history walk, Sherbourne Valley
- Talking Birds Theatre Company – It takes a city
- Herbert Art Gallery & Museum WW2 Blitz event day
- Coventry Transport Museum Blitz event day
- Holy Trinity Church Blitz anniversary talks
- Blitz Remembered
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by Admin | Nov 4, 2025 | Male Poets, Nature Poems, November Poems, Poems, Poetry, Poets
When thistle-blows do lightly float
About the pasture-height,
And shrills the hawk a parting note,
And creeps the frost at night,
Then hilly ho! though singing so,
And whistle as I may,
There comes again the old heart pain
Through all the livelong day.
In high wind creaks the leafless tree
And nods the fading fern;
The knolls are dun as snow-clouds be,
And cold the sun does burn.
Then ho, hollo! though calling so,
I can not keep it down;
The tears arise unto my eyes,
And thoughts are chill and brown.
Far in the cedars’ dusky stoles,
Where the sere ground-vine weaves,
The partridge drums funereal rolls
Above the fallen leaves.
And hip, hip, ho! though cheering so,
It stills no whit the pain;
For drip, drip, drip, from bare branchtip,
I hear the year’s last rain.
So drive the cold cows from the hill,
And call the wet sheep in;
And let their stamping clatter fill
The barn with warming din.
And ho, folk, ho! though it is so
That we no more may roam,
We still will find a cheerful mind
Around the fire at home!
by Admin | Nov 3, 2025 | Female Poets, Life Poems, November Poems, Poems, Poets
There! See the line of lights,
A chain of stars down either side the street —
Why can’t you lift the chain and give it to me,
A necklace for my throat? I’d twist it round
And you could play with it. You smile at me
As though I were a little dreamy child
Behind whose eyes the fairies live. . . . And see,
The people on the street look up at us
All envious. We are a king and queen,
Our royal carriage is a motor bus,
We watch our subjects with a haughty joy. . . .
How still you are! Have you been hard at work
And are you tired to-night? It is so long
Since I have seen you — four whole days, I think.
My heart is crowded full of foolish thoughts
Like early flowers in an April meadow,
And I must give them to you, all of them,
Before they fade. The people I have met,
The play I saw, the trivial, shifting things
That loom too big or shrink too little, shadows
That hurry, gesturing along a wall,
Haunting or gay — and yet they all grow real
And take their proper size here in my heart
When you have seen them. . . . There’s the Plaza now,
A lake of light! To-night it almost seems
That all the lights are gathered in your eyes,
Drawn somehow toward you. See the open park
Lying below us with a million lamps
Scattered in wise disorder like the stars.
We look down on them as God must look down
On constellations floating under Him
Tangled in clouds. . . . Come, then, and let us walk
Since we have reached the park. It is our garden,
All black and blossomless this winter night,
But we bring April with us, you and I;
We set the whole world on the trail of spring.
I think that every path we ever took
Has marked our footprints in mysterious fire,
Delicate gold that only fairies see.
When they wake up at dawn in hollow tree-trunks
And come out on the drowsy park, they look
Along the empty paths and say, “Oh, here
They went, and here, and here, and here! Come, see,
Here is their bench, take hands and let us dance
About it in a windy ring and make
A circle round it only they can cross
When they come back again!” . . . Look at the lake —
Do you remember how we watched the swans
That night in late October while they slept?
Swans must have stately dreams, I think. But now
The lake bears only thin reflected lights
That shake a little. How I long to take
One from the cold black water — new-made gold
To give you in your hand! And see, and see,
There is a star, deep in the lake, a star!
Oh, dimmer than a pearl — if you stoop down
Your hand could almost reach it up to me. . . .
There was a new frail yellow moon to-night —
I wish you could have had it for a cup
With stars like dew to fill it to the brim. . . .
How cold it is! Even the lights are cold;
They have put shawls of fog around them, see!
What if the air should grow so dimly white
That we would lose our way along the paths
Made new by walls of moving mist receding
The more we follow. . . . What a silver night!
That was our bench the time you said to me
The long new poem — but how different now,
How eerie with the curtain of the fog
Making it strange to all the friendly trees!
There is no wind, and yet great curving scrolls
Carve themselves, ever changing, in the mist.
Walk on a little, let me stand here watching
To see you, too, grown strange to me and far. . . .
I used to wonder how the park would be
If one night we could have it all alone —
No lovers with close arm-encircled waists
To whisper and break in upon our dreams.
And now we have it! Every wish comes true!
We are alone now in a fleecy world;
Even the stars have gone. We two alone!
by Admin | Nov 3, 2025 | Emily Dickinson, Female Poets, Life Poems, Nature Poems, November Poems, Poems, Poets
Besides the autumn poets sing,
A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow
And that side of the haze.
A few incisive mornings,
A few ascetic eyes, —
Gone Mr. Bryant’s golden-rod,
And Mr. Thomson’s sheaves.
Still is the bustle in the brook,
Sealed are the spicy valves;
Mesmeric fingers softly touch
The eyes of many elves.
Perhaps a squirrel may remain,
My sentiments to share.
Grant me, O Lord, a sunny mind,
Thy windy will to bear!
by Admin | Nov 3, 2025 | Coventry, News
Cars blocking road has urged national express bus to change their route.
A spokesman for National Express Coventry told CoventryLive: “Buses heading towards Binley will now use Humber Road, Binley Road and Stoke Green instead of Bolingbroke Road. Buses towards Coventry will continue to use Bolingbroke Road.
From Sunday 2nd November, there will be a route change to service 3 due to the width of the road making it difficult for buses to pass each other.
Heading towards Binley
Buses will now use Humber Road, Binley Road and Stoke Green. Bolingbroke Road will not be served.
Heading towards Coventry
Buses will follow the current line of route along Bolingbroke Road.
Volunteers are needed to help build a 20m (65.6ft) cardboard structure to mark the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz in World War Two.
Other Routes
From Monday 20th October, Clifford bridge road will be closed to permit Binley Cycleway works to take place.
Bus stops on Clifford Bridge Road towards Rugby/University of Warwick will be suspended until further notice, passengers are advised to use bus stops on Brinklow Road.
Buses towards University Hospital will be unaffected.
Please plan ahead using the TfWM journey planner.
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by Admin | Oct 31, 2025 | Love Poems, Male Poets, Poems, Poetry, Romantic Poems
She Walks in Beauty
By Lord Byron (George Gordon)
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
by Admin | Oct 31, 2025 | Articles, Books, Emerald Book Club, Reading
Why you should Read
Reading provides cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits, including improved memory, critical thinking, and vocabulary. It also reduces stress, enhances empathy, and can help delay age-related cognitive decline like dementia. For children, reading builds a foundation for academic success and strengthens bonds with caregivers
by Admin | Oct 30, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Female Poets, Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems
Reading Books
By Vivian G. Gouled
I like to read all kinds of books
To entertain myself,
And so I’m glad when I can take
A book down from the shelf.
I like the picture books of planes,
Of flowers, birds, and ships
From which I can imagine that
I’m taking wonder trips.
I like the books with stories in
And also books of rhymes;
I often try to learn a few
And say them lots of times.
I like to read all kinds of books
I find upon the shelf –
Particularly now that I
Can read all by myself!
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Female Poets, Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Reading BooksBy Vivian G. Gouled I like to read all kinds of booksTo entertain myself,And so I’m glad when I can takeA book down from the shelf. I like the picture books of planes,Of flowers, birds, and shipsFrom which I can imagine thatI’m taking wonder trips. I like...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
The Reading MotherBy Strickland Gillilan I had a mother who read to meSagas of pirates who scoured the sea,Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,“Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath. I had a Mother who read me laysOf ancient and gallant and golden days;Stories...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Read to Me By Jane Yolen Read to me riddles and read to me rhymesRead to me stories of magical timesRead to me tales about castles and kingsRead to me stories of fabulous thingsRead to me pirates and read to me knightsRead to me dragons and dragon-book fightsRead to...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Adventures with Books By Velda Blumhagen Books are ships that sail the seasTo lands of snow or jungle trees.And I’m the captain bold and freeWho will decide which place we’ll see.Come, let us sail the magic ship. Books are trains in many lands,Crossing hills or desert...
by Admin | January 20, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Good BooksbyEdgar Guest Good books are friendly things to own.If you are busy they will wait.They will not call you on the phoneOr wake you if the hour is late.They stand together row by row,Upon the low shelf or the high.But if you're lonesome this you know:You have...
by Admin | Oct 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems
The Reading Mother
By Strickland Gillilan
I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
“Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings –
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be –
I had a Mother who read to me.
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Female Poets, Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Reading BooksBy Vivian G. Gouled I like to read all kinds of booksTo entertain myself,And so I’m glad when I can takeA book down from the shelf. I like the picture books of planes,Of flowers, birds, and shipsFrom which I can imagine thatI’m taking wonder trips. I like...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
The Reading MotherBy Strickland Gillilan I had a mother who read to meSagas of pirates who scoured the sea,Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,“Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath. I had a Mother who read me laysOf ancient and gallant and golden days;Stories...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Read to Me By Jane Yolen Read to me riddles and read to me rhymesRead to me stories of magical timesRead to me tales about castles and kingsRead to me stories of fabulous thingsRead to me pirates and read to me knightsRead to me dragons and dragon-book fightsRead to...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Adventures with Books By Velda Blumhagen Books are ships that sail the seasTo lands of snow or jungle trees.And I’m the captain bold and freeWho will decide which place we’ll see.Come, let us sail the magic ship. Books are trains in many lands,Crossing hills or desert...
by Admin | January 20, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Good BooksbyEdgar Guest Good books are friendly things to own.If you are busy they will wait.They will not call you on the phoneOr wake you if the hour is late.They stand together row by row,Upon the low shelf or the high.But if you're lonesome this you know:You have...
by Admin | Oct 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems
Read to Me By Jane Yolen
Read to me riddles and read to me rhymes
Read to me stories of magical times
Read to me tales about castles and kings
Read to me stories of fabulous things
Read to me pirates and read to me knights
Read to me dragons and dragon-book fights
Read to me spaceships and cowboys and then
When you are finished- please read them again.
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Female Poets, Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Reading BooksBy Vivian G. Gouled I like to read all kinds of booksTo entertain myself,And so I’m glad when I can takeA book down from the shelf. I like the picture books of planes,Of flowers, birds, and shipsFrom which I can imagine thatI’m taking wonder trips. I like...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
The Reading MotherBy Strickland Gillilan I had a mother who read to meSagas of pirates who scoured the sea,Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,“Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath. I had a Mother who read me laysOf ancient and gallant and golden days;Stories...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Read to Me By Jane Yolen Read to me riddles and read to me rhymesRead to me stories of magical timesRead to me tales about castles and kingsRead to me stories of fabulous thingsRead to me pirates and read to me knightsRead to me dragons and dragon-book fightsRead to...
by Admin | October 30, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Poems, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Adventures with Books By Velda Blumhagen Books are ships that sail the seasTo lands of snow or jungle trees.And I’m the captain bold and freeWho will decide which place we’ll see.Come, let us sail the magic ship. Books are trains in many lands,Crossing hills or desert...
by Admin | January 20, 2025 | Book Poems, Books, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry, Reading Poems | 0 Comments
Good BooksbyEdgar Guest Good books are friendly things to own.If you are busy they will wait.They will not call you on the phoneOr wake you if the hour is late.They stand together row by row,Upon the low shelf or the high.But if you're lonesome this you know:You have...