Hillfields
Encyclopedia
Hillfields is a suburb
of Coventry
in the West Midlands
of England
. It is situated north of Coventry city centre, and has undergone a series of name changes throughout its history which has seen it change from a village, to a remote suburb, to a large postwar redevelopment zone.
. Before this, the Coventry Priory had owned land in Harnall.
In 1542, the land was given by the Priory to the Corporation, and in 1551 the Prior's Orchard with Swans Pool, New Pool, Harnall Field and other land were included in the endowment of Sir Thomas White
's Charity. In 1632, Prior's Orchard Mill, located near Springfield Brook and Swanswell Pool, was absorbed into Swanswell Waterworks. The waterworks produced water for Coventry.
In 1816, the first school in the area is recorded as being located within Primrose Hill House, which had been converted to serve as a school. This closed in 1837; however, it was reopened as a boarding school in 1848 by Rev. J. S. Gilbert and T. Wyles.
In 1828, Harnall became the first suburb in Coventry after the city expanded outside the city walls. This resulted in the construction of villas throughout the suburb. It became known as New Town. Problems arose soon after its incorporation into Coventry when the River Sherbourne
, which separated the two areas, began to flood as a result of two mills. These two mills were finally removed in 1844 by an Act of Parliament
. Once the two mills were removed, New Town could develop and connect to Coventry.
The Health of Towns Act 1848 resulted in the establishment of a Local Board of Health in 1849 who then surveyed the city in 1850. A result of the survey was new building guidelines for the city. As much of the city had already been developed, Hillfields became a favourable location for new houses and the area began to expand. Also, the standard of living in Hillfields was much higher than those who remained in the slums within Coventry city.
The motor industry in Coventry boomed at the start of the 20th century and by 1905, there were 20 motor manufacturers in Hillfields alone. In the 1930s, the Singer Company
became Coventry's largest manufacturer and it operated five different sites in Hillfields.
In the years leading to World War II
, maintenance of the area declined. World War II also saw Hillfields being heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe
. The Town and Country Planning Act 1944 allowed local authorities to declare Areas of Comprehensive Development, and Hillfields was declared one of three in Coventry in 1951. It was declared that 53% of the houses were unfit to live in within the next five years, and this gave the local authorities the right to use Compulsory Purchase Order
s on the properties.
Redevelopment of the area began in the early 1960s with the intention of housing a population of 6,000 people in high-density areas. Halfway through the decade, three mid-rise tower blocks had been completed, with two more larger ones being under construction and in planning. Upon the completion of the construction, thirteen tower blocks had been built. Some of these tower blocks have since been demolished, the remaining tower blocks are currently owned and maintained by Whitefriars Housing Group
. In the 1970s, the view changed and the aim was to modernise and improve the existing older houses. An area once proposed for clearance was designated "General Improvement Area" status, which allowed residents a budget for improving the environment and house. The final council housing estate was built in 1979 in the Brook Street area. The housing improvement scheme also ended in the 1980s with grants being offered to those in most need of care instead of whole areas.
The area of Hillfields was notorious for its red light area during the 1980s. To this day there are still prostitutes working in the area, although a heavy police presence has limited the activities considerably in the last few years.
In 1899, Coventry City Football Club
build a stadium at Highfield Road
in the area. They played there for 106 years until 2005 (by which time no sign of the original stadium remained) when they relocated to the Ricoh Arena
at Foleshill
. The stadium was demolished the following year and redeveloped for housing, although the pitch was retained as public open space so the area's youngsters can continue the tradition of football being played on it.
The Mercer's Arms pub opposite it was for many years a popular jazz venue, hosting both the local 1920s/30s-style Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra and modern-jazz musicians who would travel the 100 miles or so from London.
Hillfields is in St. Michael's ward, represented by leading Socialist Party of England and Wales member, Dave Nellist
.
Hillfields is now in the phase of being modernised again. A tower block of flats has been pulled down to make space for the new city college at Swanswell.
Hillfields has a high population of immigrants compared to any other part of the city. Famous black Coventrians who have lived in Hillfields include Neville Staple of The Specials
who has written about the dance scene and casual street violence that were a hallmark of life in that area in his biography Original Rude Boy
. The black British
middleweight boxer Errol Christie
also lived in a squat in Hillfields in the early 1980s.
Hillfields was listed as one of the top 10 dangerous areas in the UK, and is also in the top 100 most deprived areas in England.It was the scene of a riot in May 1992 when, after a shooting incident in a local pub, residents threw petrol bombs, bricks and missiles from a tower block onto armed police on the street below.
is the coeducational comprehensive secondary school for the area. There was a large fire at the school on 24 September 2007 in which about 60% of the school was burnt down.
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
in the West Midlands
West Midlands (county)
The West Midlands is a metropolitan county in western central England with a 2009 estimated population of 2,638,700. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, formed from parts of Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is situated north of Coventry city centre, and has undergone a series of name changes throughout its history which has seen it change from a village, to a remote suburb, to a large postwar redevelopment zone.
History
Hillfields was originally known as Harnall and was a district under the Holy Trinity Parish. Harnall was first mentioned in Coombe Abbey Charter as being in the ownership of the Prior's Half of Coventry in the 12th century. It was again mentioned in the 12th century in a passage noting a road that lead "through the middle of Harnall along the country of Stoke". In the 13th century, Harnall was owned by Roger de Montalt and was one of his estates consisting of little more than cottages and croftsCroft (land)
A croft is a fenced or enclosed area of land, usually small and arable with a crofter's dwelling thereon. A crofter is one who has tenure and use of the land, typically as a tenant farmer.- Etymology :...
. Before this, the Coventry Priory had owned land in Harnall.
In 1542, the land was given by the Priory to the Corporation, and in 1551 the Prior's Orchard with Swans Pool, New Pool, Harnall Field and other land were included in the endowment of Sir Thomas White
Thomas White (merchant)
Sir Thomas White was an English cloth merchant, civic benefactor and founder of St John's College, Oxford.He was born in Reading, Berkshire, the son of William White, a clothier of Reading, and his wife, Mary, daughter of Henry Kibblewhite of South Fawley, also in Berkshire. He was brought up in...
's Charity. In 1632, Prior's Orchard Mill, located near Springfield Brook and Swanswell Pool, was absorbed into Swanswell Waterworks. The waterworks produced water for Coventry.
In 1816, the first school in the area is recorded as being located within Primrose Hill House, which had been converted to serve as a school. This closed in 1837; however, it was reopened as a boarding school in 1848 by Rev. J. S. Gilbert and T. Wyles.
In 1828, Harnall became the first suburb in Coventry after the city expanded outside the city walls. This resulted in the construction of villas throughout the suburb. It became known as New Town. Problems arose soon after its incorporation into Coventry when the River Sherbourne
River Sherbourne
The River Sherbourne is a river that flows under the centre of the city of Coventry, West Midlands, England.The source of the river is in the fields of Hawkes End in the Parish of Allesley. From where it flows south continuing through the city centre, where it is mainly culverted, and through the...
, which separated the two areas, began to flood as a result of two mills. These two mills were finally removed in 1844 by an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
. Once the two mills were removed, New Town could develop and connect to Coventry.
The Health of Towns Act 1848 resulted in the establishment of a Local Board of Health in 1849 who then surveyed the city in 1850. A result of the survey was new building guidelines for the city. As much of the city had already been developed, Hillfields became a favourable location for new houses and the area began to expand. Also, the standard of living in Hillfields was much higher than those who remained in the slums within Coventry city.
The motor industry in Coventry boomed at the start of the 20th century and by 1905, there were 20 motor manufacturers in Hillfields alone. In the 1930s, the Singer Company
Singer (car)
Singer was an automobile company founded in 1905 in Coventry, England. It was acquired by the Rootes Group of the United Kingdom in 1956, who continued the brand until 1970...
became Coventry's largest manufacturer and it operated five different sites in Hillfields.
In the years leading to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, maintenance of the area declined. World War II also saw Hillfields being heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. The Town and Country Planning Act 1944 allowed local authorities to declare Areas of Comprehensive Development, and Hillfields was declared one of three in Coventry in 1951. It was declared that 53% of the houses were unfit to live in within the next five years, and this gave the local authorities the right to use Compulsory Purchase Order
Compulsory purchase order
A compulsory purchase order is a legal function in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland that allows certain bodies which need to obtain land or property to do so without the consent of the owner. It may be enforced if a proposed development is considered one for public betterment - for...
s on the properties.
Redevelopment of the area began in the early 1960s with the intention of housing a population of 6,000 people in high-density areas. Halfway through the decade, three mid-rise tower blocks had been completed, with two more larger ones being under construction and in planning. Upon the completion of the construction, thirteen tower blocks had been built. Some of these tower blocks have since been demolished, the remaining tower blocks are currently owned and maintained by Whitefriars Housing Group
Whitefriars Housing Group
Whitefriars Housing Group Ltd is a housing association managing about 18,000 homes in Coventry, England. Constituted as a charitable industrial and provident society, it is Coventry's largest social landlord....
. In the 1970s, the view changed and the aim was to modernise and improve the existing older houses. An area once proposed for clearance was designated "General Improvement Area" status, which allowed residents a budget for improving the environment and house. The final council housing estate was built in 1979 in the Brook Street area. The housing improvement scheme also ended in the 1980s with grants being offered to those in most need of care instead of whole areas.
The area of Hillfields was notorious for its red light area during the 1980s. To this day there are still prostitutes working in the area, although a heavy police presence has limited the activities considerably in the last few years.
In 1899, Coventry City Football Club
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
build a stadium at Highfield Road
Highfield Road
The Highfield Road Stadium was a football stadium in the city of Coventry, England. It was the home ground for Coventry City F.C. until the club moved to the new Ricoh Arena after the 2005-06 season...
in the area. They played there for 106 years until 2005 (by which time no sign of the original stadium remained) when they relocated to the Ricoh Arena
Ricoh Arena
The Ricoh Arena , home to Coventry City F.C., is a stadium complex situated in the Rowleys Green district of the city of Coventry, England containing a 32,609 seater football stadium, a 6,000 square-metre exhibition hall, a hotel, a leisure club, and a casino...
at Foleshill
Foleshill
Foleshill is a suburb in the north of Coventry in the West Midlands of England.Longford. Courthouse Green and Rowley Green are to its north and Keresley is to its west.- History :...
. The stadium was demolished the following year and redeveloped for housing, although the pitch was retained as public open space so the area's youngsters can continue the tradition of football being played on it.
The Mercer's Arms pub opposite it was for many years a popular jazz venue, hosting both the local 1920s/30s-style Dud Clews Jazz Orchestra and modern-jazz musicians who would travel the 100 miles or so from London.
Hillfields is in St. Michael's ward, represented by leading Socialist Party of England and Wales member, Dave Nellist
Dave Nellist
David John Nellist is a British Trotskyist activist and former Labour Member of Parliament for the now abolished constituency of Coventry South East...
.
Hillfields is now in the phase of being modernised again. A tower block of flats has been pulled down to make space for the new city college at Swanswell.
Hillfields has a high population of immigrants compared to any other part of the city. Famous black Coventrians who have lived in Hillfields include Neville Staple of The Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
who has written about the dance scene and casual street violence that were a hallmark of life in that area in his biography Original Rude Boy
Original Rude Boy
Original Rude Boy is the autobiography of Neville Staple, vocalist in ska band The Specials. The book was launched in May, 2009 to coincide with the reunion tour of The Specials. It sets out to chart the black British influence on the second wave of ska which originated in Coventry in the late...
. The black British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
middleweight boxer Errol Christie
Errol Christie
Errol Christie is a former professional British boxer and currently a boxing trainer. He was the captain of the English boxing team from 1980 to 1983 and European champion in 1983....
also lived in a squat in Hillfields in the early 1980s.
Hillfields was listed as one of the top 10 dangerous areas in the UK, and is also in the top 100 most deprived areas in England.It was the scene of a riot in May 1992 when, after a shooting incident in a local pub, residents threw petrol bombs, bricks and missiles from a tower block onto armed police on the street below.
Education
Sidney Stringer SchoolSidney Stringer School
Sidney Stringer School specialises in Mathematics & Computing and is a coeducational community college for pupils aged 11 – 18 in Hillfields, Coventry, England.-History:...
is the coeducational comprehensive secondary school for the area. There was a large fire at the school on 24 September 2007 in which about 60% of the school was burnt down.