All Friday meetings begin at 7.45. You are welcome to arrive at anytime from 7.15 onwards. We meet at the Unitarian Church on the Holyhead Road, Coventry CV1 3AE​​    

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FR1DAY 14TH NOVEMBER

THE BI-CENTENARY OF THE RAILWAYS                            ERA/JS/GT

200 (????) YEARS OF RAILWAYS

This evening`s train will be in two portions. The first, driven by Ronald Austin, will depart at 7.45pm on a historical tour of the HISTORY OF THE RAILWAYS OF GREAT BRITAIN. In the second portion, John Spicer will explain what went wrong, and why railways are still being built in 21st Century Britain.

 

FRIDAY 21st NOVEMBER

THE ABC OF THE ARP                                                                             BC

Tonight we welcome back to Greyfriars Paul Thompson who is giving us an insight into the work of the ARP in World War II. (Air Raid Precautions). This was a volunteer post who were responsible for public safety during air raids, enforcing the blackout, issuing gas masks, guiding people to shelters and providing first aid and firefighting support. They were also the frontline of Britain's Civil Defence. Come along to what should be another of Paul's fascinating presentations.

 

FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2025. 

CHARLES DICKENS AND THE CHRISTMAS CAROL                 MH

Tonight we welcome Steve Dimmer, who will join us  to talk about Charles Dickens and in particular the events in his life that led to writing ‘A Christmas Carol.’ He will also reflect on the impact of the book in the Victorian celebration of Christmas.

 

FRIDAY 5TH DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS SONGS THROUGH THE AGES                                  MI

Our speaker, Richard Churchley, has been to Greyfriars many times in the past. He is a musician and historical researcher. Tonight he will talk, and also probably sing various songs from the earliest times through to the modern era- ‘from Boar’s Head to Bing Crosby’ – he quotes.

 

FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER

IT’S CHRISTMAS, IT’S CHRISTMAS                                                   EH

Come and help Greyfriars celebrate Christmas with all our usual events, some amateur dramatics, some carols with Jane and Gill, mulled wine and mince pies. Bring your cards to self deliver to your friends. Enjoy a festive evening with us.

 

SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER

GREYFRIARS CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT THE WINDMILL VILLAGE HOTEL                                                                                                             SL

A £10 deposit is required with your booking, the remainder to be paid before 7th November, and your choice of menu finalised. A two course meal will be £26 and a three course menu will be £33.50 including a £1.00 tip. Money to be paid to Sue Lindsey. Further details are on the notice board.

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2026

GREYFRIARS NEW YEAR PARTY

FRIDAY 2ND JANUARY 2026

NEW YEAR’S PARTY                                           EH AND COMMITTEE

We begin 2026 with a traditional New Year Party. There will be all the usual games and quizzes, and possibly some surprises. We will be having our ‘Bring and Share’ supper. Please look at the notice board to see what is required. Come and help us welcome in 2026. See the notice board for further details.

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FRIDAY 9TH JANUARY

JANE AUSTEN -200 YEARS EH

Tonight we welcome back Sheila Woolf, who by popular request will talk to us about the author Jane Austen in celebration of 200 years since her birth.

 

FRIDAY 16TH JANUARY

WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY GT

January is a good time for New Year Resolutions, such as checking that all your affairs are in good order. Tonight we welcome Jonathan Cope from Midland Legal Services, who will give us an informative talk about wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and asset preservation.

 

FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY 2026

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEDGEHOGS.                MH

Sally Ellis from is a Rescue Carer and the Chair of Trustees at The Warwickshire Hedgehog Rescue Trust. She will come today to tell us about the life and future of the hedgehog in today’s world and the role of the hedgehog rescue services. She will also be able to tell us how we can help in the protection of the lives of the hedgehogs in their environment around us.

 

FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY 2026

RICHARD III - THE MAN ,THE MYSTERY, AND THE CAR PARK! MI

Dave Andrews is a former presenter and producer at BBC Radio Leicester who specialised in Medieval History at University in York. He is currently a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire. His talk will aim to tell us what sort of man Richard III was really, from the story of his life in the 15th century to his portrayal by Shakespeare and Tudor England. The talk will continue to outline the amazing story of the search for his bones and their discovery in a Leicester car park and their re burial in  Leicester Cathedral when Mr Andrews played a major part in Radio Leicester’s coverage of the events.

FRIDAY 6TH FEBRUARY

THE LIFE OF JMW TURNER                                                               MI

Tonight, John Roe will talk about his favourite artist, JMW Turner (1771 – 1851) He will talk about Turner’s life and how he produced his art. John has been an amateur artist for 65 years and discusses his discovery and lifelong love of the

artist. His ambition is to paint like Turner, but he estimates it will take another 65 years, if ever!
 

FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY

A CELEBRATION OF BRITISH BIRDS                                        GT

Our speaker tonight is Nick Martin, an accomplished wildlife photographer with a lifelong passion for nature and the countryside. Nick has forged a long career in conservation, working with several wildlife organisations including the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts. Tonight he will present us with a ‘Celebration of British Birds’, offering us striking images which will stay with us long after tonight’s talk.

WEDNESDAY 18th FEBRUARY

JANE EYRE

AT THE PRIORY THEATRE, KENILWORTH

AT 7.00 FOR 7.30 BC

Let's travel back in time with this classic novel from the hand of Charlotte Bronte which follows the story of orphan Jane Eyre on her journey from a childhood of loneliness and cruelty to a life at Thornfield Hall and her relationship with the mysterious Mr Rochester.. Tickets are £15 payable by 13th February to Bob Clemons.
 

FRIDAY 20TH FEBRUARY

UKEHOLICS MI

The wonderful ukulele band, The Ukeholics are coming back to Greyfriars. They gave a lively concert of varied music a few years ago, so we are pleased to welcome back for another evening of musical entertainment.

 

FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY

WWI COVENTRY KGT

We welcome back David Fry for another insight on Coventry’s past.

The first World War turbo-charged Coventry’s growth. The influx of war workers changed the character of the town. Factories changed almost overnight from making domestic products to war work. Much of this activity was captured on camera, and we will see some of this tonight.

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