GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

Elephant up a pole

If anyone from Coventry suggests that you meet 'under the elephant', this is where they mean. The top end of the Upper Precinct at the junction with Broadgate. Behind are the windows of the one-time Hotel Leofric which closed in 2008 and is in the process of being reborn as another link in a chain.

At the time of its installation in March 1948, the 56 foot (17m) high aluminium mast surmounted by a 5 foot (1.5m) high elephant and castle was referred to as the 'Coventry Standard' and was designed to have flags flown from the yard arms. It was one of the earliest signs of the post-war reconstruction of the city centre and represented the products of local industry. The mast was constructed by Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd, the elephant and castle by Motor Panels (Coventry) Ltd, the aluminium and gold colouring was supplied by John Astley and Sons Ltd and flags supplied by Holbrooks (Coventry) Ltd.