Levelling Stone

A levelling stone designed by Trevor Tennant and unveiled on 8 June 1946.

MATERIALS: Westmorland green slate central panel with Hopton Wood stone surround and bronze central plate.

DESCRIPTION: the stone is irregular in its outline, but symmetrical about a central line. It measures 2.67m by 2.7m. The central, slate panel features a carved, stylised phoenix figure which is rising out of flames below. The central bronze plate has a target of radiating circles and there are three smaller bronze plates, set into the slab, with central indents which act as positioning points for the legs of a theodolite. A stone tablet at the eastern edge of the stone features an inscription which reads: THIS STONE/ COMMEMORATING THE OFFICIAL INAUGURATION/ OF THE REBUILDING OF COVENTRY AFTER THE/ ENEMY ATTACKS OF 1940-1942/ WAS LAID BY/ COUNCILLOR JOHN CHARLES GORDON/ MAYOR OF COVENTRY/ 8 JUNE 1946. MAYOR/ COUNCILLOR J. C. GORDON/ DEPUTY MAYOR COUNCILLOR G. BRIGGS.

The inscription continues around the perimeter of the stone: THIS LEVELLING STONE IN THE CENTRE OF THE WAR DAMAGED AREA WAS CONSTRUCTED AS A GUIDE TO THE REDEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS 1945-1946. This is then followed by the names of the members of The City Redevelopment Committee. The inscription concludes: THE LEVELLING STONE WAS PRESENTED/ BY THE RT HON LORD KENILWORTH/ MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL 1923-1926. THE CITY REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE/ CHAIRMAN COUNCILLOR A. ROBERT GRINDLAY/ VICE CHAIRMAN ALDERMAN GEORGE E. HODGKINSON.