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Coventry Comes Alive: Celebrating a Historic Return to the Premier League

Coventry Comes Alive: Celebrating a Historic Return to the Premier League

by | Apr 28, 2026 | Coventry, Emerald Book Club

Coventry is getting ready for a moment that will be remembered for generations.

After a remarkable season, Coventry City F.C. have secured promotion back to the Premier League — ending a 25-year absence from the top flight of English football.

To mark this historic achievement, the city will host a massive Bank Holiday celebration on Monday 4th May 2026 — bringing together fans, families, and the wider community in a powerful show of pride, unity, and joy.

🎉 A City-Wide Celebration

In partnership with Coventry City Council, the club is organising “WE ARE BACK: LIVE” — a full day of festivities combining sport, music, and community spirit.

From 1pm to 7pm, Coventry will transform into a sea of sky blue as thousands gather to celebrate this incredible achievement.

🚌 The Open-Top Bus Parade

At the heart of the celebrations is a city-wide open-top bus parade, starting at the Coventry Building Society Arena at 1pm.

The parade will travel through key areas including:

  • Holbrooks
  • Whitmore Park
  • Keresley
  • Coundon
  • Chapelfields

Before finishing at Hearsall Common, bringing the celebrations directly into local communities.

Fans are encouraged to line the streets and be part of this unforgettable moment as players and staff celebrate with the city

we are back live parade
The below roads will be closed 11am and 4pm on 4 May.

  • Holbrook Way - from Jimmy Hill Way to Holbrook Lane
  • Holbrook Lane - from Burnaby Road to Parkgate Road
  • Wheelwright Lane - from Parkgate Road to Hen Lane
  • Parkgate Road - from Wheelwright Lane to Beake Avenue
  • Parkville Highway - from Roland Avenue to Parkgate Road
  • Beake Avenue - from Parkgate Road to Links Road
  • Links Road - from Bruce Road to Beake Avenue
  • Bruce Road - from Beake Avenue to Links Road
  • Wallace Road - from Links Road to Norman Place Road
  • Norman Place Road - from Wallace Road to Hollyfast Road
  • Hollyfast Road - from Eversleigh Road to Westhill Road
  • Westhill Road - from Hollyfast Road to Barker’s Butts Lane
  • Barker’s Butts Lane - from Westhill Road to Thamley Road
  • Moseley Avenue - from Cramper’s Field to Four Pounds Avenue
  • Four Pounds Avenue - from Moseley Avenue to Queensland Avenue
  • Queensland Avenue - from Four Pounds Avenue to Hearsall Common
  • Hearsall Common - from Hearsall Lane to Canley Road
  • Hearsall Lane - from Sovereign Road to Hearsall Common
  • Tile Hill Lane - from Hearsall Common to Broad Lane
  • Canley Road - from Tile Hill Lane to Beechwood Avenue

Closures between 11am and 9pm for the live music event

  • Warwick Road - from Kenilworth Road to Ring Road Queens
  • Kenilworth Road - from Warwick Road to A45 Kenpas Highway
  • Leamington Road - from Warwick Road to Armorial Road
  • Stivichall Croft - from Coat of Arms Bridge Road to Baginton Road
  • Coat of Arms Bridge Road - from Kenilworth Road to Green Lane

Coat of Arms Bridge Road - from Green Lane to Stivichall Croft will also be closed between 8am and 9pm.

🎶 Festival at War Memorial Park

Alongside the parade, a huge festival will take place at
War Memorial Park

Expect:

  • Live music from local artists
  • Food and drink vendors
  • Entertainment for all ages
  • A vibrant community atmosphere

With space for up to 50,000 people, this will be one of the biggest celebrations Coventry has seen in years.

📚 Why This Matters to Emerald Book Club

At Emerald Book Club, we believe in the power of community, storytelling, and shared experiences.

Events like this remind us that:

  • Stories aren’t just found in books — they’re lived in our cities
  • Communities grow stronger when people come together
  • Celebrations like this inspire creativity, connection, and pride

This is more than football — it’s Coventry’s story of resilience, growth, and triumph.

💚 Join the Celebration

Whether you’re a lifelong football fan, a casual supporter, or simply someone who loves community events — this is a day not to miss.

Bring your friends, family, and your love for Coventry.

Let’s celebrate together.

Coventry Book Extravaganza

Coventry Book Extravaganza

by | Nov 5, 2025 | Books, Community Events, Coventry, Events, News

Experience the Coventry Book Extravaganza, where the magic of words in print take centre stage at The Belgrade Theatre this April.

  • Date: Saturday 15th November 2025 | 10.30am - 4pm
  • Location: Belgrade Square, Corporation St, Coventry CV1 1GS
  • Price: FREE

Brought to you by local vintage events company Rosie’s Retro Bazaar and independent publishing house, Fantom. Immerse yourself in the universe of books as they bring together a diverse range of stalls, including:

  • Independent Publishers & Bookshops: Discover unique publications and support local literary ventures.
  • Fresh Talent & Local Authors: Meet up-and-coming writers and explore their latest works.
  • Comic Creators & Illustrators: Delve into the world of graphic storytelling and visual artistry.
  • Literary Societies & Publishing Services: Connect with organisations shaping the literary landscape.
  • Second-Hand & Antiquarian Book Dealers: Hunt for rare finds and literary treasures.
  • Book Crafts: Anything from bookmarks to bookends and book inspired tote bags to repurposed old books. Artistic license to free your imagination!
  • Prints & Paper Ephemera: Vintage printed materials such as posters and maps.
  • Stationery & Accessories: Browse through a selection of writing essentials and literary-themed accessories.
  • Merchandise & Memorabilia.

Whether you're seeking hidden gems, eager to support local talent, or simply looking to indulge your inner bookworm, the Coventry Book Extravaganza promises something special for every book lover. Don't miss out on this captivating literary event—it's a celebration of words, creativity, and community!

Coventry windrush festival 2026

Coventry Launches Windrush Festival

Jun 11, 2026 | , ,

Coventry has officially launched its first-ever Windrush Festival, a free, five-day cultural celebration dedicated to honoring Caribbean heritage and the profound legacy of the Windrush Generation. Running from Thursday, 18 June to Monday, 22 June 2026, the festival brings together music, art, poetry, storytelling, and civic events across major city center venues.

read more...
Installation to mark the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz

Installation to mark the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz

by | Nov 5, 2025 | Community Events, Coventry, News

A Major installation marking the 85th Blitz anniversary is heading to Coventry City Centre

A massive installation inspired by the iconic Cathedral Ruins is set to mark the 85th anniversary of the Blitz in Broadgate Coventry city Centre.

The  20 metre structure created by artist Olivier Grossetête, will "rise as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the extraordinary strength found in unity", said Coventry City Council.

The structure which will be made of thousands of cardboard pieces was inspired by the ruins of the city's cathedral after a 12-hour raid by German bombers on 14 November 1940 where 550 people were killed.

Cllr Abdul Salam Khan said the temporary landmark will serve as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the extraordinary power of unity that Coventry embodied during WWII

volunteers are needed to build the structure. Free workshops on the project will be held daily from Monday November 10 to the Saturday, and those taking part will be invited to help construct the artwork

Those who visit the temporary structure over the weekend can talk to the artist and creators of the piece, which will remain in Broadgate until 15:00 on Sunday 16 November.

Coventry windrush festival 2026

Coventry Launches Windrush Festival

Jun 11, 2026 | , ,

Coventry has officially launched its first-ever Windrush Festival, a free, five-day cultural celebration dedicated to honoring Caribbean heritage and the profound legacy of the Windrush Generation. Running from Thursday, 18 June to Monday, 22 June 2026, the festival brings together music, art, poetry, storytelling, and civic events across major city center venues.

read more...
Coventry Remembrance Sunday Parade

Coventry Remembrance Sunday Parade

by | Nov 5, 2025 | Community Events, Coventry, Events, News

Coventry annual Remembrance Service and Parade will take place on Sunday 9 November, beginning at 10.45am, at The Cenotaph in the War Memorial Park.  

Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade | Coventry War Memorial Park

  • Date: Sunday 9th November 2025 | 11:00 - 13:00 
  • Location: War Memorial Park in Coventry

The city’s War Memorial Park plays host to the city’s annual remembrance event which takes place by the Cenotaph in the park.

The service will honour and pay respect to those who lost their lives in the 2 World Wars and other conflicts throughout the world and will be led by The Right Reverend Sarah Jelley, Bishop of Coventry and all are invited. 

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Rachel Lancaster, who will take the salute, said: 

“The city’s annual Remembrance Day Service and Parade helps us remember, honour, and pay our respects to all those who have lost their lives due to wars or armed conflict.”    

“This service is always very important to the city and acts as a timely reminder for everyone as to why we continue to promote peace and reconciliation around the world and on this 85th Anniversary of the Coventry Blitz.”   

“As the numbers of people attending each year illustrates, we know how much the service in the War Memorial Park means to our residents and I’m sure this year’s’ service will be as well-attended as ever as we come together to mark the day.”  

Councillor Rachel Lancaster
Lord Mayor, Coventry City

The London Road Cemetery service on Sunday at 3pm, is also remembering those lost during the Coventry Blitz and the annual Poppy Drop is taking place in West Orchards Shopping Centre.

This year also marks the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz which took place on 14 November 1940. The city will come together, organising a range of public events and activities to not only commemorate the lives lost, and damage done to the city, but also mark the resilience and spirt of Coventry people who came together to rebuild their city. 

Coventry windrush festival 2026

Coventry Launches Windrush Festival

Jun 11, 2026 | , ,

Coventry has officially launched its first-ever Windrush Festival, a free, five-day cultural celebration dedicated to honoring Caribbean heritage and the profound legacy of the Windrush Generation. Running from Thursday, 18 June to Monday, 22 June 2026, the festival brings together music, art, poetry, storytelling, and civic events across major city center venues.

read more...
£2.4bn West Midlands transport Investment

£2.4bn West Midlands transport Investment

by | Nov 5, 2025 | Coventry, News, West Midlands

The £2.4 billion investment in transport for the West Midlands is a five-year funding package from the government, confirmed in June 2025, to improve the region's transport network through a mix of bus, rail, tram, and road projects. The funding is intended to make journeys easier and more affordable across the region and is already supporting projects like the extension of the tram network to the new Sports Quarter in East Birmingham, which is expected to unlock billions in private investment. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is also working with a top economist to ensure the funds are used effectively to benefit residents and the economy

Mayor Richard Parker conformed that people in every part of the West Midlands will benefit from the £2.4 billion transport fund.

The Mayor said he would now work hand in glove with the region’s seven metropolitan councils to set out the priority transport projects in their areas.

The Mayor said: “This is a huge investment in transport in our region – and it will make it easier and more affordable for everyone, from Coventry to the Black Country, to get to work, school, college, hospital or anywhere across the West Midlands. Millions of people rely on our transport network everyday and now, we are going to make sure it works for everyone.  

National Express Bus Coventry emeraldbookclub.org

Project Summary

Funding source: The £2.4 billion is a five-year funding package from the UK government, confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Purpose: To improve transport infrastructure across the entire West Midlands, making journeys easier and more affordable for everyone.

Projects: The funding will support a range of projects including rail, bus, tram, road, cycling, and walking schemes.

Initial projects: The first project to be funded is an extension of the tram network from Digbeth to the new Sports Quarter in Bordesley, East Birmingham.

Economic impact: This funding is expected to act as a catalyst for significant private investment, particularly in areas like the Sports Quarter regeneration, and is part of a larger plan to drive economic growth in the region.

Governance: The West Midlands Combined Authority is developing a plan for how to best spend the money, with an independent review underway to advise on project selection and delivery

 

Coventry windrush festival 2026

Coventry Launches Windrush Festival

Jun 11, 2026 | , ,

Coventry has officially launched its first-ever Windrush Festival, a free, five-day cultural celebration dedicated to honoring Caribbean heritage and the profound legacy of the Windrush Generation. Running from Thursday, 18 June to Monday, 22 June 2026, the festival brings together music, art, poetry, storytelling, and civic events across major city center venues.

read more...
Coventry Blitz 85th anniversary

Coventry Blitz 85th anniversary

by | 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

 

 

Join us at our event STORIES OF PEACE which is part of the Peace Festival

Stories Of peace

What if stories could bring people closer, heal divisions, and inspire hope?
This November, Emerald Book Club invites you to experience just that at Red House Park, Coventry, as part of the Coventry Peace Festival 2025.

Coventry windrush festival 2026

Coventry Launches Windrush Festival

Jun 11, 2026 | , ,

Coventry has officially launched its first-ever Windrush Festival, a free, five-day cultural celebration dedicated to honoring Caribbean heritage and the profound legacy of the Windrush Generation. Running from Thursday, 18 June to Monday, 22 June 2026, the festival brings together music, art, poetry, storytelling, and civic events across major city center venues.

read more...

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