IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Eskdale Walk, COVENTRY, CV3 3BJ

Another old geograph revisited, and viewed from the opposite end this time; see Image The blocks of Tarquin Close have had a revamp since then, with the addition of external insulating cladding that was installed on much of Coventry's social housing stock in the years around 2014: see Image Once known as Ivy Walk, this long row of four-storey blocks of flats is very visible from the London to Coventry railway, which runs behind them.

Exploring the Sowe valley is hungry work. Having asked directions to the shops and having paid no attention to the map, I was astonished to find myself in Willenhall, a place I knew only by name. This photo is a record of that moment, which was accompanied by the certainty that I would return.

A baby compared to the massive viaducts over the rivers Sowe and Sherbourne https://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/19354 but showing a family likeness. It was built to carry the London and Birmingham Railway, which opened in 1838 here. The view is from Tarquin Close, Willenhall. The path (which preceded the railway) leads to schools and Langbank Avenue on the south side of Binley.

The woodland downstream is named Rock Spinney on the OS 1:25 000 map. It's stretch of the river where both banks are inaccessible, which must be of benefit to wildlife.

Willenhall is based around a large council housing estate mainly built in the post Second World War period. Today it is among the 5% most deprived areas in England. Nevertheless, there is a strong community spirit here, embodied in the Betty Ennis Foundation, a charity named after a well-known community activist who died in 2019 that seeks to improve the lives of local people. The Betty Ennis Hub, part of Willenhall's shopping precinct, sells upcycled homeware items and home accessories as part of the charity's activities. The building has been used as a charity shop for some time but previously housed Willenhall Library (which moved to a different site nearby).

The words Rock Spinney appear on the map here. The blackthorn guards the River Sowe. Significant, largely undisturbed habitats, are present on both sides of the river. The houses are off Mary Slessor Street. The Sowe Valley Path is heading for Image

Signs say 'Coventry NHS / Willenhall Primary Care Centre' and 'Willenhall Dental Surgery', and 'Willenhall Dental Care' with an NHS logo, on the single-storey building. The address is Remembrance Road, out of shot left; this view is across Robin Hood Road on a sunny April lunchtime. The Primary Care Centre may well replace the facility that was on a site in Stretton Avenue: to the right in Image

On the right is one of the "smaller pointed arches with blind panels" referred to in the listing, seen also in Image They give tremendous, even creepy, character to the side arches.