Coventry Telegraph

I made the front page of the Telegraph in the 1970's. I have tried to obtain a copy on-line via the Telegraph website and simply trawling t'internet but just can't get hold of a copy or even just a view of the front page itself. Does anyone know how I can get a copy? (Just "popping in" to the offices isn't an option for me - I live on the Isle of Wight now!) Thanks in anticipation.

I believe the local archives hold microfilm copies of virtually all old local newspapers, it might be worth giving them a go.... History Centre Edited by Midland Red, 3rd Sep 2015 6:27 pm (Link updated 3 Sep 2015)

Can we ask what you did to make the front page!!

Hmmm. Very long story as to how it happened. I'll try to condense... I worked at Morris Engines and was a shop steward. British Leyland cars had said they would pay us in line with Cowley (in Oxford) as we were now the same company. All they said in the letter to employees was that to have this parity payment, we had to "increase production", which we did. However when the time came to receive our rise, they said we hadn't achieved what they wanted and quoted a figure of an output of 6.1 cars per man per week. This figure wasn't ever mentioned in the letter so we said we would strike. When the Telegraph heard of our intentions, they called us "typical car workers - striking for no reason etc." (or words to that effect). I was bloody furious and wrote a personal letter to the editor who, unknown to me, decided to print my letter on the front page under the headline "We call it fraud!" and of course, I was hauled into a managers meeting to explain my actions. All worked out well though. I got a letter of apology from the company and the Telegraph also wrote to apologise because I had stated on my letter "Not for publication" as it was just a personal letter from me to the editor.

Hi all, It is quite a while since the Coventry Evening Telegraph changed its brand name to Coventry Telegraph, but you would not think so if you were waiting for a bus, outside of the Belgrade. Hey!

Well spotted Philip! I lived in nearby Bond Street when the offices first opened and have a vague recollection of there being a newsagents outlet built into that part of the facade? We used to buy war comics from there.

I remember that too dutchman. Did it sell confectionery as well as papers or am I thinking of a different selling point?

I think so Beesman as we tended to buy sweets at the same time as we bought comics. It was always a Sunday when the only kind of shop open back then was a newsagents.

Hi, Dutchman & thank you. Corporate identity is such a hot issue with business companies. Look at the fuss with signage just now at the Ricoh! I knew a huge multi-national company that when it changed its brand name, destroyed everything where there was the slightest link with the past, including every cup & plate in the dining rooms, & every other item that had a previous logo on them. The Telegraph building does not seem to add up some how.

While we are on the subject, does everyone know what the Coventry Telegraph building is to become? No, it's not a competition. Even MORE student accommodation! It seems outline planning was applied for last February - and an interesting document can be found HERE which shows a map of the planned size of the development and photos of the area. And apparently the owners of the ABC Motel next door are also purchasing the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers building and converting BOTH of these to student flats.

Quite a large chunk of proposed building work:- "An up to 14 storey student residential block, with its main elevation facing Corporation Street and flank elevation on Upper Well Street; An up to 6 storey hotel block facing Upper Well Street; An up to 8 storey hotel block facing Upper Well Street; An up to 6 storey hotel block, replacing the existing block facing the Old City Wall; An up to 7 storey residential building at the north-west corner of the site, in part on Lamb Street."

Do you think they'll get it done in time for the Olympics?

I only just noticed the street sign on the building says "Upper Well Street". It's actually "Fretton Street"! "Upper Well Street" doesn't begin until the other side of Bond Street. The building that once stood on this side of the T-junction was originally "Fretton House" although it became "Loveitt House" after the war.

Hi all. Newspaper jobs to go.

Do you still buy newspapers every day, Philip? These days, you can get news as it happens, not wait to read yesterday's happenings.