This Saturday 7th May, join us at the new and improved Coventry Train Station for a free, family-friendly community day. The fun-filled event promises to be a joyous community celebration, featuring music, theatre and activities for all ages – there’s something for everyone! It will conclude with In Transit, a grand finale from theatre company Highly Sprung.
Coventry Station Community Day is a special event organised by the Heart of England Community Rail Partnership with Highly Sprung, and jointly funded by Avanti West Coast and Coventry City Council. It marks the reopening of the new and improved station, and also the original station’s 60th anniversary. We are now so excited to announce the final line up for the daytime programme – keep reading to find out!
Mainstage Programme
Enjoy our varied performances – with everything from Jazz music to Bhangra to Spoken Word.
12pm: DJ Set from D Rose and a special welcome from host Sandra Godley
12.30pm: Music from Sandra Godley
Award winning recording artist, Sandra Godley is widely known as one of the country’s leading contemporary gospel singers.
1pm: Spoken Word from John Bernard
Based in Coventry, Poet, Rapper & Writer John Bernard infuses Spoken Word poetry, Alternative-Rap and Neo- Soul.
1.30pm: Dance and Dhol Players from Gabhru Panjab
Multi-Award Winning UK Bhangra Group Gabhru Panjab’s dancers and Dhol Players leave audiences spellbound.
2pm: Music from the Jazz Apples
Dubbed “the most in demand Jazz act in the Midlands,” The Jazz Apples are a Jazz, Swing and Bossa act known for their smooth harmonies and playful re-interpretations of classics
2.55pm: Dance from Louis Lewinson
The talented Louis Lewinson and his group of young dancers are at the heart of Coventry’s busy creative scene.
3.15pm : DJ Set from D Rose
Based in Coventry, DJ D Rose is a DJ covering a multitude of genres, with a special focus on a mixture of drill and afro swing.
Interactive Activities and Stalls
Throughout the day, we are offering a range of stalls, with chances to get moving and get creative, as well as hearing from organisations working towards a greener future in Coventry. Open from 12pm – 3.30pm.
Playhem at the Promenade from Coventry Transport Museum
For children, families and anyone who loves a creative challenge. Have fun with big free play, learning and building with transport-themed resources and making activities from the museum.
Mehndi by Tan
Tan is a freelance Mehndi artist with over 13 years of experience who will have a Henna stall at the event. She has worked nationally and internationally applying beautiful designs.
Rivers of the World Exhibition from Cara Pickering and Local Schools
Explore arts and crafts exhibits and creations from local schools, exploring the importance of rivers across the world. Available to explore in the retail space of the new train station entrance .
Learn to Ride a Bike with Coventry City Council: at 12.15, 13.15 and 14.30
Children aged 4-15 can receive a free ‘Learn to Ride’ session outside the station – for those who have little or no cycling experience who would like to learn to ride. Bikes and helmets are provided, and the session takes place outdoors. A parent or guardian must remain present. Free but you must book in advance on the Coventry City Council website here.
Illustrator Emily Kaye and Heart of England Community Rail Partnership
A fun family activity exploring transport and innovation, children will have the chance to get creative and design their very own train of the future.
Security Mark Your Bike
Bring your bike along to get it security marked by West Midlands Police.
Dr Bike
Having trouble with your bike? Bring your bike along to the station for free cycle safety checks and basic adjustments from Dr Bike. You can also find out about renting E-bikes from west Midlands Cycle hire.
Transport Innovation Stalls
Learn about those paving the way for greener transport in Coventry. You can hear from:
- Heart of England Community Rail Partnership – hear about their vital work across the UK and the Better Points initiative from Warwick District Council
- Avanti West Coast
- Coventry City Council’s Urban Airport
- West Midlands Rail Executive
- You Smart Thing – the leading online travel planning platform for visitors to venues and events, curating low carbon door-to-door travel plans.
- Urban Airport and Drones – Find out more the world’s first fully operational Urban-Air Port for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft which is being held on Westminster Road, just a few minutes’ walk from the railway station. West Midlands Police will also be demonstrating drones during the day. Places must be booked in advance here.
Alongside all of this, you can also enjoy food and drink from a range of delicious food stalls including Coventry favourites GKitchen who will be serving up authentic Indian street food, JT Fast Foods, and Really Awesome Coffee.
We can’t wait to share this Community Day will all of you. For a downloadable version of this programme and more information, visit the event page here.