Unearthed pics show restoration of St Mary’s Guildhall roof back in 1950s

THESE are the pictures taken from when the St Mary’s Guildhall roof was being restored back in the 1950s.

Candis Ibberson, the granddaughter of Christopher Wells, was given a tin of photos by her mum several years ago.

One of the pictures showed Christopher, a master carpenter at the Guildhall during the middle of the last century, at work.

It also included a letter praising Christopher and his team for work carried out ahead of the royal visit of Princess Elizabeth, who would later be crowned Queen Elizabeth II.

The tin of treasures led Candis to get in touch with the Guildhall in 2013 who provided her with more photographs of her grandfather at work at the historic site.

Candis said: “My grandfather is no longer alive, he died before I was born.

“I only found out about him when my mum gave me a tin of photos which had a couple of items in about him, one being a photo the other being the letter. This led me to get in touch with St Mary’s Guildhall Back in 2013.

“The people at St Mary’s Guildhall were able to provide me with other photos of him.

“This gentleman was my father’s dad. Sadly I lost my father in 2004.”

Christopher was one of the master carpenters that worked on restoring the carvings in the roof of St, Marys’ Guildhall Coventry.

He received an award for this and also served in WW2.

The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth visited The Guildhall in 1948 as Coventry continued to recover from the blitz.

The letter, sent by the building works superintendent quoted then Coventry Mayor W.H Malcolm in his praise for work ahead of the royal visit.

It said: “Dear Mr Wells. Royal Visit, 22nd May 1948.

“Before adding my personal thanks for the work you carried out in connection with the visit of H.R.H Princess Elizabeth I should like to pass on to you the following extracts from a letter His Worship the Mayor has sent to the City Engineer.

“I feel that it would be very remiss on my part to let the opportunity pass of saying how much I appreciate the efforts of the Building Works Section and the workmen who worked so very hard in ensuring that the stands and other works were ready in time for the ceremonies at the War Memorial Park and at Broadgate.

“The enthusiastic and efficient way all your Department worked contributed in no small way to the success of the day, and I shall be glad if you will please pass on to all concerned my very sincere thanks for the extra effort they put into their work on this occasion. Yours sincerely (signed) W.H Malcolm, Mayor.”

“I cannot add much more to what has already been said but you know that I have full confidence in your ability to give of your best as and when it is required.

“I can only say a really big ‘thank-you’ and look forward to the future with just as much confidence. Yours faithfully, Building Works Superintendent.”