Coventry's Past and Present Unveiled in Stunning Photo and Film Exhibition

Coventry is hosting a special exhibition called Coventry Then & Now, which brings together old and new images of the city for the first time. The exhibition will open on 11 September at the LTB Showrooms, a community arts venue run by volunteers. Visitors will be able to see archive photographs, rare film footage of Coventry Cathedral being built, and modern pictures of the city centre. The exhibition tells the story of Coventry over more than 70 years, showing how the city has changed and grown. Alan Denyer, who leads the LTB Showrooms, says that even if you think you know Coventry well, a good photograph can show you a new side of the city. He believes the exhibition has some really great and unique images.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is a collection of 60 photographs taken by Elizabeth Tyler in the 1960s. Elizabeth was a student at Coventry College of Art and used a 1933 Rolleicord camera to capture life in the city. Earlier this year, she found her old photos in her attic and decided to share them with the public for the first time. Alan Denyer says he loves the details in her photos, such as the fashion, hairstyles, and the way houses were decorated. One of her pictures shows Spon End in the 1960s, with terraced houses, a modern block of flats, a woman in a black coat and hat, and a man with a dog. These photos give a glimpse into everyday life in Coventry many years ago.

Another important part of the exhibition is a rare public screening of original colour films made by Coventry architect Barnard Reyner. He filmed the entire construction of Coventry Cathedral, starting in 1956. The films show craftsmen at work, visits from the royal family, the installation of major artworks, the raising of the cathedral spire, and the consecration ceremony in May 1962. Alan Denyer says the films are fascinating because they show real events as they happened. The exhibition also includes 60 new images of Coventry taken by the Jaguar Photographic Society, showing the city as it looks today. The exhibition will be held in the Priory Undercrofts and will run until 20 September. It is a chance for people to see how Coventry has changed over the years and to learn more about the city's history.