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​​    

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​February 2026
 

FRIDAY 20TH FEBRUARY

UKEHOLICS                                                                     MI

The wonderful ukulele band, The Ukeholics are coming back to Greyfriars. They gave a lively concert of varied music a few years ago, so we are pleased to welcome back for another evening of musical entertainment.

 

FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY

WWI COVENTRY                                                                         KGT

We welcome back David Fry for another insight on Coventry’s past.

The first World War turbo-charged Coventry’s growth. The influx of war workers changed the character of the town. Factories changed almost overnight from making domestic products to war work. Much of this activity was captured on camera, and we will see some of this tonight.

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FRIDAY 6th MARCH

TOP HAT AND TAILS - CURIOUS LIVES IN VICTORIAN BIRMINGHAM                                                                                MH

The speaker this evening is Kevin Thomas. His talk takes us into the smoke and splendour of the Victorian age where we will meet Mad Hatters, Women Wrestlers, and shadowy figures who roamed the foggy streets by gaslight! Based on a popular walking tour, he will bring us stories of strange cures, social climbing and scandal in a city bursting with change - the backstreet drama of a city of top hats and turmoil.

 

FRIDAY 13th MARCH

1881 CENSUS – THE CHANGING FACE OF EARLSDON                 GT

Tonight’s speakers are John Purcell and David Porter of the Earlsdon Research Group. Earlsdon was founded in 1852. The eight streets were laid out with the first houses built in the 1850s. Developing slowly, it became a thriving settlement especially once the road to Coventry was built.

But who lived here? We use Census material to paint a picture of the changing face of Earlsdon from 1861 to 1921. It mirrors wider socio-economic changes in the City.  Using street directories, advertisements and photographs from Bill Dunn's collection we will show how shops developed in the 1920s and 30s.  This is not a story of the decline of the High Street as elsewhere, but one of constant change and renewal. 

 

FRIDAY 20th MARCH

THE MAN WHO MAPPED THE ARCTIC                                      MI

Admiral Sir George Back is the subject tonight of our speaker Nigel Metcalfe. Nigel has a personal interest in the admiral as he was an ancestor who was one of the first Europeans to explore and map the Canadian arctic coast. The admiral was also a very good artist and the talk is illustrated with many of his own drawings and paintings.

 

FRIDAY 27th MARCH

THE COVENTRY WATCH MUSEUM                                    PD/GT

Our speaker tonight is Paul Shufflebotham, chairman of the Coventry Watch Museum Project which is based in one of the courts in Medieval Spon Street and is well worth a visit. The talk will consist of a slide presentation on the history of the Coventry Watch Industry. Paul will bring along a number of Coventry made clocks, watches and tooling, so that we can see first-hand the workmanship of Coventry Watchmakers.

 

FRIDAY 3RD APRIL

POETRY EVENING                                                               CJ

Poetry ‘To Cheer the Heart,’ is the theme for this evening -nothing offensive or contentious please, just words to make us all feel better. Volunteers, please step forward and let Carol J or Eunice know your choice of poem to make this a happy evening.

 

FRIDAY 10TH APRIL

THE RESURRECTION MEN – BODYSNATCHERS                     BC

Tonight we welcome back to Greyfriars, Coventry Tour Guide Jo Phillips who will give us a presentation on the gruesome topic of `The Resurrection Men – Bodysnatchers'. Join us as we dig into the past history of this dark `profession'.

 

WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL

PRIORY THEATRE, KENILWORTH – ‘COME FROM AWAY’ 7.00 FOR 7.30

7,000 stranded passengers. One small town. An extraordinary true story. This global phenomenon musical tells the true story of air passengers from around the world who were grounded in Canada in the aftermath of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland town that welcomed these `Come From Away' with open hearts. Tickets are £19 payable by 10th April to Bob Clemons.

Please note: There are no concessions to this musical. The running time is approximately 1 hour 40 mins with no show interval.

 

FRIDAY 17TH APRIL

GREYFRIARS ANNUAL DINNER SL, EH AND OTHERS

AT THE UNITARIAN CHURCH HALL AT 7.00 for 7.15

*****PLEASE NOTE THE EARLIER TIME*****

Following another year’s successful annual dinner, we are repeating it this year.

A 3 course carvery dinner with a tea/coffee included for £21 (including a £1 tip). Wine and soft drinks are also available. Greenaways Catering will again prepare and serve our meal. A £10 deposit secures your place, and the balance to be paid by 3rd April. For details and menu choices, please see the notice board.

 

 

FRIDAY 24TH APRIL

IF WARWICK WALLS COULD TALK MI

Our speaker, Trevor Langley will let the Walls tell the stories of Warwick’s past. The stories will cover the good, the strange, the life-changing, the secret and the sad. All are unique to Warwick, so come along and learn more about Warwick’s long history.

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