Ordinary Women who do Extraordinary things – Legend and reality Godiva – Dame Goodyvers Daye

Cathedral Quarter, Coventry City Centre, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1

Ordinary Women doing Extraordinary things come with us as we uncover, acknowledge and reveal the trailblazing women behind the legends enabling other people to walk in their footsteps and develop new paths

Unique chance to meet and celebrate with Lady Godiva, Countess of Mercia. Come and join our celebration in the historic Cathedral Quarter in the Heart of Coventry.
Friday September 14th will celebrate not only Godiva and her Sisters,Dame Goodyver’s Daye;but this year we will uncover, acknowledge and reveal the women behind the legends. A traditional feast day given by the Guild of Cappers and Feltmakers many centuries ago and revived by Coventry’s official Lady Godiva Pru Porretta MBE who believes that Lady Godiva is as important a figure today as she has ever been,
See,hear and admire the stories that make Coventry what it is today celebrating Ordinary women who have done extraordinary things Godiva Sisters in their beautiful costumes some medieval and others traditional
Join in and hear music, song and dance performances with adults and children from all around the world.
Meet Godiva and her sisters: heroes in their own cultural, ethnic or religious traditions, characters both ancient and modern, whose lives have inspired and still inspire today through their own individual stories which connect to the story of Godiva
Enjoy tastes of traditional Coventry God cakes, Irish soda bread, Asian, African, Malaysian and Serbian treats.
The Godiva Trust helps a new generation of women from Coventry’s diverse cultures better relate and reinterpret our heritage celebration with a unique identity, and underpins the City’s International role as a Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.

Opening Times
Friday 14 September: 10.30 am – 12.00
Booking Details
No booking required

Additional Information
Contact for the day: Pru Porretta
www.godiva.uk.com
www.cwfuk.org/
@godivatrust
@cwfwmuk
@covladygodiva
Directions
Cathedral Quarter, Broadgate, Priory Visitor Centre, Cathedral Ruins: all in the heart of Coventry.

Photographs taken by Lens Art Ltd

Links to a selection of photographs taken at various events that Lady Godiva has attended along with some of the Godiva Sister.

Godiva Day 2017              Coventry Chapter

Fundraising Concert at Earlsdon Park

Good Shepherd School 

Visit from our twin city of Kiel

Woman of Achievement 2017      Story Telling

Celebrating the Chinese New Year 

Musical Extravaganza    St. Elizabeth’s Time Capsule

Lady Godiva 950th Anniversary Celebration

Report on Lady Godiva 950th Anniversary Celebration

At the stroke of three o’ clock the Godiva Sisters and Pru Porretta dressed as Lady Goodyver (now written Godiva) proudly processed from Broadgate. Pru was clothed with the beautiful handmade cloak of 950 flowers, created by children and communities for Godiva leading up to our special day.

All 20 Godiva Sisters were there representing their different faiths and communities in their traditional gowns, African drumming, giant specially made banners, decorated umbrellas and several hundred people.

Even though the Godiva Clock puppets didn’t come out, the enjoyment wasn’t spoilt, and indeed was enhanced by the community spirit. Everyone watched the colourful spectacle and the programme unfolded in Priory Gardens with songs, drama and dances becoming a feast for the eyes and tasting foods of many different cultures brought by the Godiva Sisters

The Godiva Trust were pleased to have our Deputy Lord Mayor – Councillor John Blundell, and Ursula Russell MBE Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands plus several city councillors in attendance this year. They were also pleased to have the continuing support of the Master of the Freeman’s Guild – Tony Archer, the President of Mercia Lions -Ravinder Singh Sandhu and the support of Coventry Rotary Club – John Hartley. Thanks also to the Canon for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral – Reverend Dr Sarah Hills, who gave such a lovely blessing on us all.

There was a big crowd of Coventry people and a good celebratory atmosphere.  Again the Trust thanks local schools,especially St Elizabeth’s,St Osburg’s, St Mary and St Bendedicts and the many communities for taking part – their interest and energy makes it all worthwhile.

The Trust hopes that the people of Coventry will want to be involved with us again next year.  Please put the date in your diary:  Heritage Open Days Friday 13th September 2018.