Levelling Stone

Levelling Stone is a commemorative structure designed by Trevor Tennant and unveiled on 8 June 1946. It features a central panel made of Westmorland green slate, surrounded by Hopton Wood stone, with a bronze central plate.

The stone has an irregular outline but is symmetrical along a central line, measuring 2.67 meters by 2.7 meters. The central slate panel displays a carved, stylised phoenix rising from flames below. The bronze central plate features a target of radiating circles, and there are three smaller bronze plates set into the slab, each with central indents for positioning the legs of a theodolite.

At the eastern edge of the stone, there is a tablet with an inscription that 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, stating: "THIS LEVELLING STONE IN THE CENTRE OF THE WAR DAMAGED AREA WAS CONSTRUCTED AS A GUIDE TO THE REDEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS 1945-1946," followed by the names of the members of The City Redevelopment Committee. It concludes with: "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."