PICTURE GALLERY 6: Weddington Village

This section contains photographs of Weddington over the last century, showing some of the many changes that have occurred to the area over this time. Other views of Weddington can be seen in the 'Other Buildings' and 'St James Church' picture galleries in this section. You can also read a little piece of Weddington's rural history, with the recollection of a milk round in the 1940s by Alan Cadman, by clicking this link.

You can view images of Weddington Village from more recent times at this link: Weddington Village Today.

You can also read an article on Childhood Memories of Weddington written by Jill Morrow, and previously published in the Nuneaton Local History Group's 'Nuneaton Historian' newsletter: Weddington Childhood Memories.

# Text on reverse of the 1921 postcard of Weddington Meadows reads:

"Dear Ada,

"This is where I am spending my holidays, do you not think it is a lovely place. Am going on a motor drive to-morrow, "wish I was." The next day Tuesday I am going to have a look round some big munitions works at Coventry, "Whites and Poppies."

"Love from Eve.

"Glad you are not having to sleep on the floor."

Webmaster's note re: the 1921 postcard:

It is fascinating to think that the idea of going on a "motor drive" way back was considered a pipe-dream. I wonder what Eve would make of the busy Weddington Road/A444 today!!

The reference to Coventry's "Whites and Poppies" factory is very interesting. Having resorted to the internet to source this I can find only one reference to a "Whites & Poppy's" in Coventry - an account from a resident of Coventry during the night of the Blitz, who mentioned this as a factory there. This appears to have been one of many munitions factories in the area which led to the City being targetted in such a devastating way during WW2. You can read the account here:http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/96/a4896796.shtml 

Whilst the postmark is illegible on this postcard, looking at the stamp this is obviously a King George V era 1 penny stamp. These were issued from the early to the late 20s, though the later ones were much brighter red. The hue of this one suggests to me a postal date of around 1921. A time when, if Eve had taken a stroll across the bridge to Weddington Meadows, she would have been able to admire the estate of Weddington Castle (sadly demolished in 1928).

As regards why Eve was spending part of  her holidays visiting munitions factories in Coventry, and why Ada may have ended up sleeping on the floor - we can only guess!! 

Pictures marked ^ by Colin Paterson for which grateful acknowledgement is given
* Grateful acknowledgements to Kevin Purchase for providing the original document for this.
** From the collection of Alan F Cook for which grateful acknowledgement is given.
*** The Swinnerton family were major farmers in the area. Robert Swinnerton lived at The Grove in the C19th and there is an impressive memorial for the Swinnertons in St. James Churchyard
**** Grateful acknowledgements to Dave Malone (2012) for providing these images.
## Provided by Cheryl Hartshorn via Nuneaton Memories facebook. You can see photos of the 2012 Golden Jubilee party in Weddington at this link.
### http://heritage.warwickshire.gov.uk/museum-service/collections/the-sheldon-tapestry-maps/  
#### 1086 Watitune/Weddington Domesday Book entry  ( (c) Crown Copyright)
@@ (c) June Miller. Interesting to see "Police Station" marked at top right - am guessing this is the large house on Weddington Road that was a police house where the officer also lived. The ponds in Sandon Park area interesting too, possible remnants of the boating lake that was in the Castle grounds?