What's On at Greyfriars?
All Friday meetings begin at 7.45. You are welcome to arrive at anytime from 7.15 onwards. We meet at the Unitarian Church on the Holyhead Road, Coventry CV1 3AE
​
​
​FRIDAY 7TH FEBRUARY
THE ST PAUL’S WATCH – “Defence and Defiance” KGT
St Paul’s must be saved at ALL costs!” Winston Churchill, Prime Minister 1940.
This was the rallying cry that went out. The St Paul’s Watch, a group of men and women dedicated to saving the Cathedral during the darkest days of WW2, was already in place to do their bit. Our speaker, David Morse will tell us how this all evolved and about their efforts to save the Cathedral from incendiaries.
FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2025
FILM NIGHT JS
Tonight, we will be off to the cinema, delving into our growing collection of DVDs. Come along for a relaxed evening and some varied subject matter, and maybe some popcorn to help the evening along.
FRIDAY 21ST FEBRUARY
THE MONOLOGUE MAN GT
The Monologue Man
Tonight we will be entertained by “Monologue Man” John Tearne. John last visited us twenty years ago, so his return is well overdue! John will give us some varied entertainment of classic comedy songs and monologues involving several costume changes, with familiar and less familiar items in his programme.
WEDNESDAY 26th FEBRUARY
LADIES UNLEASHED
AT THE PRIORY THEATRE, KENILWORTH 7.00 FOR 7.30 BC
A moving comedy about friendship, growing older and living for today. Pearl, Jan and Linda are enjoying a long awaited break on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, when a surprise visitor turns up. They haven't seen Shelley for years, and their retreat becomes a reunion - and pretty soon, a riot. But a lot has changed since they were last together and tensions rise with the tide. As the sky darken will the four still be friends when dawn breaks? Tickets are £13 payable by 21st February to Bob Clemons.
​
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
TOURETTE’S ACTION GT
Tonight we welcome Adam Janocka from the charity Tourettes Action, who will explain what Tourettes Syndrome is, and the work of the charity. He will explain the symptoms and possible causes, and some of the treatment options, and what it it is like to live with the condition on a daily basis. Come and learn a little more about this condition, which is often misunderstood, and for which there is no cure.
​
FRIDAY 7TH MARCH 2025
WARWICKSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST – BATS MH
Tonight we hear from Phillippa Arnold about the world of bats. Find out the difference between a Pippistrelle and a Daubenton’s; and more about all 18 species of bat in the UK
FRIDAY 14TH MARCH 2025 MI
CHEDHAM’S YARD
Chedham’s Yard is a prize-winning heritage site dating from the early 19th century and was run by five generations of the Chedham family. It contains original blacksmith and wheelwright workshops and many vintage items of machinery and tools. It is now run by a Trust and one of the Trustees will tonight tell us about the history of the site and the many interesting working demonstrations that take place there.
​
FRIDAY 21ST MARCH 2025
THE MOTH MAN MI
Tonight we welcome David Brown who will give an illustrated talk to highlight the importance of trees for the survival of vast numbers of moths.
Trees play a vital role in the life history of moths by providing food for caterpillars and sap, nectar and aphid juice for adults. Tree trunks and leaf canopy create important micro climates and provide vital habitats to escape predation.
This fascinating talk will give examples of both local and nationally rare species of moth reliant upon a specific host tree. Moth survival techniques will also be covered including camouflage, warning colours and mimicry.
FRIDAY 28TH MARCH 2025
THE HISTORY OF ST JOHN’S CHURCH JS
Tonight’s speaker is Father Bracey the minister of St John the Baptist Church in Coventry. He will tell us of the church’s origin as a chapel for the medieval Guild of St John until its closure in 1546 due to Henry VIII’s dissolution. He will tell us of its various uses for nearly 200 years before being finally restored as a parish church in 1734.
FRIDAY 4TH APRIL 2025
GREYFRIARS ANNUAL DINNER EH AND OTHERS
AT THE UNITARIAN CHURCH HALL AT 6.45 FOR 7PM
*****PLEASE NOTE THE EARLIER TIME*****
Following last year’s successful annual dinner, we are repeating it this year.
A 3 course carvery dinner with a tea/coffee included for £19.95. Wine and soft drinks are also available. Greenaways Catering will again prepare and serve our meal. A £5 deposit secures your place, and the balance to be paid by 21st March. For details and menu choices, please see the notice board
WEDNESDAY 9TH APRIL 2025
‘ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE’ AT THE PRIORY THEATRE, KENILWORTH
AT 7 FOR 7.30 BC
This is a story of love, hope and community. George Bailey a man living in the small American town of Bedford Falls, faces personal struggles and contemplates suicide, but his life takes an unexpected turn when a guardian angel named Clarissa intervenes. Clarissa shows George the impact he has had on others and the goodness he has brought to his community. Maybe It's a Wonderful Life after all? Tickets are £13 payable by 4th April to Bob Clemons
FRIDAY 11TH APRIL 2025
THE GENIUS OF SIR ROLAND HILL MI
Tonight, we welcome back Ray Sheppard who last year, gave us such an interesting talk on the D-Day Landings. Sir Rowland Hill was an English teacher, inventor and social reformer who lived in the 19th century. He was responsible for the world’s first adhesive postage stamp which made postage available to the masses, and he was a pioneer in educational reform. So come along and hear more about this exceptional man.
FRIDAY 18TH APRIL 2025
GREYFRIARS ANNUAL POETRY EVENING CJ
Volunteers are required to read at our Good Friday Poetry Evening. Nothing political, religious or likely to cause offence, thank you. If you can contribute, please let Eunice or Carol know before 11th April so that a varied programme can be arranged.
FRIDAY 25TH APRIL 2025
ENGLISH ECCENTRICS MI
Our speaker, Graham Sutherland has given us many interesting and amusing
presentations in the past, and tonight’s talk is no exception. We will hear about
many strange people from history and their quirky habits. So prepare to be
entertained by Graham in his usual light-hearted style.
Greyfriars
