I texted Lucy about what I was doing and we arranged to meet at Backhaus & Co, Fargo Village, on a Thursday afternoon.
Lucy’s lived in Coventry all her life and said that her childhood home overlooks what is now Fargo Village. Back then it was a derelict radiator factory. She also said that it was brilliant growing up by a derelict radiator factory. As a child she would sneak into the empty buildings to play and hang out with her friends.
Lucy went on to complete a fine art degree at Coventry University and now teaches the subject to year sevens at Whitley Academy. She said that Backhaus has exhibited her pupils’ work.
Lucy told me about recent projects her class did and are doing. For Armistice Day’s centenary they crafted a poppy installation out of plastic bottles and are now working on a display inspired by the Knife Angel sculpture on display at Coventry Cathedral.
Lucy brought her dad, Paul, along with her. Paul is Coventry born and bred and serves as chairman of The Coventry Society. He was exhibition officer for Coventry’s transport museum for many decades and built the blitz exhibition still on show there. Paul said his mum (Lucy’s nan) gave input on the endeavour as she had lived through the Coventry blitz.
Lucy helped too, throwing dirt up the walls for wartime rubble effect.
Paul was very informative. He talked about the history of his family in Coventry and gave insights into places I had visited. For instance, I learned that Sir Basil Spence’s design inspiration for Coventry cathedral came to him while he was
under the influence of dental anaesthetic.
Lucy gave to the montage some goggly eye stickers plus a Whitley Academy pen and then sent me to meet Lady Godiva.
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