Mile Lane

Mile Lane.

I'm sure until quite recently you could still see the gateposts to the Climax factory on Mile Lane. I have a great photo of Jim Clark driving a fork-lift there somewhere.

As a telephone engineer I worked in Cov Climax, from what I remember the car park was opposite, over the road I think it was next to Securicor office, worked in there also. I loved the old photo, thanks for putting it on here. Colin.

Like the photo of Mile Lane very much indeed, it shows quite a lot of the city's industrial heritage. Any idea of the date? The photograph shows on the left one of the entrances to Morris Bodies where the wooden framed bodies were made for Morris Travellers. I served much of my apprenticeship and early working years in the building just before the Climax which was opposite Cheylesmore School. Nuffield Tools and Gauges was the main toolroom for BMC and much of the prototype tooling for the first Range Rover was produced there. The building itself was part of Coventry's motor heritage being part of the Swift factory when the firm moved to Quinton Road in 1906. Potted history of the Swift Motor Company. The Coventry Sewing Machine Company was founded by James Starley in 1859. They started making bicycles in 1869 and changed the name to 'Coventry Machinists'. In 1896 they became the Swift Cycle Company and started to make motorcycles in 1898. Swift made their first single-cylinder car in 1900 using an MMC engine. In 1902 a separate company was formed for motor vehicle production and registered as the Swift Motor Company

Does anyone remember what the printers was called in Mile Lane. It would of been opposite the school. I think it could well be part of the Ibis hotel now. Also was there a martyrs memorial nearby in Quinton Road.

Hi Pat I don't recall a printers, I recall Rolls Royce, Armstrong Siddeley, as I used to work in the next road Quinton Road, Pistons Ltd, I'm sure someone on here will know, you could ask on the other Mile Lane thread on here, where they are discussing Mile Lane and the factories there.

Thanks Morgana. Maybe I was wrong about the printers there. We used to live in St. Patricks Rd. which is nearby and would play around the area. I probably got mixed up then. That will teach me to be nosy in the factory windows

It was Edwards the Printers and was next door to Cornercroft. It was formally the Swift Motor Comp (see other topic) and is now the front of the new hotel.

Thank you Heritage. You've settled my mind now. Also I now remember Cornercrofts.

Pictured in 2010

Thanks NeilsYard. That photo I think shows the memorial too. Long before the ring road took over. Not entirely sure what the memorial was about though. Will try to find out. Mods note: A separate thread "Coventry's Martyrs" has now been established.