#Other
Ghost Signs - Hay Lane
Since the end of the Second World War, Coventry city centre has seen may areas redeveloped. Some of this was due to the destruction caused during the Blitz. However, in Hay Lane some of the original buildings from the war period remain in Hay Lane.
In the shadows of the Cathedral ruins is one of the city’s oldest streets. Hay Lane dates back many centuries with its narrow, cobbled lane.
On the walls next to the Golden Cross public house, three ghost signs from the Second World War remain. Faded in nature over time, the signs were painted onto the walls to assist the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) and Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS).
These signs were to signpost AFS to water hydrants should they be needed in emergencies. The arrows point in the direction from Hay Lane towards Little Park Street.
During the night of 14 November 1940, the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) raid caused heavy damage to the city infrastructure. This included the mains water supplies which meant the AFS firemen were unable to douse the many fires across the city. This included the fires within the Cathedral close by to Hay Lane.
These faded signs on the walls are a reminder of the Blitz in Coventry during the Second World War. The city remembers the Blitz period annually with a commemorative service for those who were killed, injured and effected by enemy action.