“Wellington Gardens, Spon End (1948−52) had been developed with delightfully straightforward bungalows for old people, a short two-storey terrace and a community centre (now demolished), built of yellow brick with low-pitched copper roofs around a ‘village’ green” (from: Coventry The making of a modern city 1939−73, Jeremy and Caroline Gould, 2016: 54).
“Wellington Gardens was a pioneering early 1950s development designed by the then city architect Donald Gibson as a mixed scheme of residential, community buildings and shops. The zone is now mainly made distinctive by its open, landscaped and quiet character in contrast to the nearby built-up streets. Doe Bank Lane links Upper Spon Street to these streets. It is a very old, winding lane, originally providing access to the fields north of Spon End and was later used as an access to the waterworks, which lay adjacent to it from 1847-1989. It retains an almost rural feel, with trees and high walls. The River Sherbourne winds through the area in a semi-natural course, which provides a valuable green lung” (from: “Spon End and Nauls Mill Area of Local Distinctiveness,” Coventry City Council, 2003: 16).
"The gardens were named in tribute to the people of New Zealand who contributed to the Lord Mayor of London’s National Air Raid Distress Fund in 1947. The fund was used to build the gardens and small collection of bungalows designed by city architect Donald Gibson. This plaque, made of Hoptonwood stone was originally part of a community building which was demolished in 2011. The bungalows and garden area still remain.
The text on the plaque reads:
“These homes for aged persons were built with the aid of the Lord Mayor of London’s National Air Raid Distress Fund to which the people of the Commonwealth generously contributed.” It is dated December 1951.
The plaque was designed by Walter Ritchie, whose work can also be seen in Coventry on the outside of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum (two large stone reliefs called Man’s Struggle) and in the Belgrade Theatre (a carved wooden dove located on the foyer stairwell)."
Proposed 10 year masterplan by Citizen Housing Association. Wellington Gardens can be seen centre-left.
