Sitting in the north of Coventry, Longford is a ward in the West Midlands covered by the Coventry North East constituency. It borders the wards of Holbrooks, Henley, Upper Stoke, and Foleshill, and stretches across an area of 472 square kilometres. By the 2011 census, the ward’s population had grown to 18,538, up from 17,601 recorded in 2001, when population density was measured at 37.3 people per square kilometre. Of that earlier count, 738 residents were students and 12,409 were of working age, with 522 recorded as unemployed in June 2006 according to Office for National Statistics figures.
Neighbourhoods and Local Amenities
The ward takes in a string of distinct neighbourhoods: Longford Village, Foxford, Rowleys Green, Alderman’s Green, Hawkesbury, Bell Green, Manor House, Hall Green, Courthouse Green, Woodshires, and Little Heath. Longford is largely residential, with some industrial land alongside a handful of green spaces. Longford Park and Longford Community Nature Park sit close to one another on opposite sides of Longford Road. In the north of the ward, the Coventry Building Society Arena – home to Wasps and Coventry City – forms part of a larger complex that includes Arena Park, a retail centre with a Tesco Extra. Riley Square shopping centre is another retail option within the ward, and Bell Green Library serves local residents. Secondary education is provided by Foxford Community School, primary education by Grangehurst Primary School, and the largest employer in the ward in 2004 was Henley College, formerly known as the Henley Campus of Coventry College.
History and Industry
Longford’s history stretches back to at least the 15th century, when records mention houses and cottages in Longford and Foxford, though these had not yet formed proper hamlets. A 1730 census counted only 20 houses across the two areas. Growth came in the mid-18th century, driven by the ribbon weaving industry and a coal mine at Hawkesbury, which drew workers and families into the area. Historically, Longford was part of Bedworth under the parish of Exhall, and it remains on the main route connecting the mining districts of Nuneaton and Bedworth to Coventry. Thomas Mann, the English trade unionist and First World War pacifist, was born here during that period. The Coventry Canal passes through Longford, and along its towpath stands a sandstone sculpture called The Stone Sofa, carved by Tim Shutter. Unveiled on 31 May 1997, it was commissioned by Groundwork Coventry as part of the Coventry Canal Art Trail. The piece measures 1.4 metres high, 2.4 metres wide, and approximately one metre deep, and is owned by the City Development Directorate at Coventry City Council.