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George Singer
and Coundon Court, Coventry
George Singer in
his prime on the steps to Coundon Court
On Sunday 29th April 2007 four WIAS members
took advantage of the kind invitation from the Kenilworth
Society to take part in a conducted tour of Coundon Court, now
the administrative centre of Coundon Court School - a Specialist
Technology College. Our enthusiastic guide was Richard Hoare, a
former teacher at the school for over 30 years.
The three storey house of red brick with some
stonework incorporated was built in 1891 for the cycle, motor
engineer and entrepreneur George Singer. He died there in 1901.
Designed by Charles Gray-Hill, the Court is externally rather
severe but the interior is heavily decorated in an imposing
style, with much elaborate woodwork. The keen-eyed spotted
evidence of under floor heating in the form of circular brass
plates which could be simply moved to an open or closed
position. The mature grounds provide a fine setting for
the main facade of this late Victorian building which has stood
up to the obvious heavy demand of wartime service as a maternity
home, and then as a busy school, with many of its features
remarkably intact.
In its heyday the estate comprised of over 50
acres complete with 3 cottages, stabling for 7 horses and an
impressive lodge at the gated entrance called Holly Lodge which
remains. It is believed that a Monastery once occupied the same
site.
Richard A Storey
© P.Riley & R.
Hoare
The main entrance |
Bust of George Singer 1847-1909 in
the entrance hall |
The main facade and entrance - the flat roof to
the left was a replacement structure following a fire in 1956 -
originally it would have matched the rest of the gables |
The house from the lawns |
Two interesting stones with carvings which are
reputed to mark the burial place of a maid who committed suicide
by jumping from the 2nd floor landing in the Court! |
Carving and paintwork inside the entrance porch |
Hall and original mirrors under great staircase
to reflect light |
The hall with impressive fireplace |
Detailed carving on one of the doors
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Ornate woodwork and glass cupboards in the dining
room |
Looking up to the 2nd floor landings with roof
light, originally stained glass, lost during WWII |
Fireplace in the billiard room on the 1st floor |
The original light fittings above where the
billiard table stood |
Original William Morris tiles in the billiard
room |
Master bedroom with fireplace in centre - the
original built in wardrobes still remain either side |
A lovely fireplace in the dressing
room |
The Nannies rooms on the second floor |
Bars on the windows from when it was a bedroom |
The children's bedroom on the 2nd floor where at
least two people have seen what is believed to be the ghost of
George Singer |
View towards Allesley from bedroom
with fountain in the distance |
The elaborate down pipes |
Early photograph of the house with all original
roof intact
© R. Hoare |
The Singer family on the terrace
© R. Hoare |
An early drawing of Coundon Court
with fountain in foreground
© R. Hoare |
George Singer as Mayor of Coventry in 1901
© R. Hoare |
Many thanks to Richard
Hoare for providing the period photographs
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