Foleshill
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Foleshill is a suburb in the north of Coventry in the West Midlands of England. Longford and Rowley Green are to its north and Keresley is to its East.
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[edit] History
Development of industries within the area such as the Ordnance Works, J&J Cash Ltd (silk ribbon weaving), and various brick works; was aided by the existence of the Coventry to Nuneaton railway and the Coventry Canal.
In July 1905, Courtaulds Ltd opened it's factory in Foleshill and grew to become a world leader in the production of artificial fibres requiring a considerable expansion of the facility over the following years. The now demolished Courtaulds chimney was reputed to be the tallest in England when it was erected in 1924. It stood 365ft (111m) tall, was built on 15ft (4.5m) deep foundations, had a base diameter of 26ft (8m) tapering to 16ft (5m) at the top, and consisted of 917,000 bricks weighing a total of 4,000 tons (4,064 metric tons).
The original Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital was built in the mid 1860s in the gothic style accommodating just 60 beds, which at the time was sufficient for Coventry's requirements. The hospital was extended to cope with the increasing needs of the developing city, and what remained of the original building was destroyed by bombing during World War II.
[edit] Places of Interest
- Mercia Park Leisure Centre, a large banqueting suite towards the north of Foleshill
- Two large recreation grounds
- Foleshill Leisure Centre with 2 indoor pools, gym, sauna, steam room, crèche and recreational room
- Foleshill road, which has a large array of ethnic stores.
[edit] References
- Albert Smith and David Fry, (1991): The Coventry We Have Lost Vol.1. Simanda Press, Berkswell. ISBN 0-9513867-1-9
