Roundabout legend passed away age 97
Management and Traders at Coventry Market are sad to announce the passing of Flora Statham (nee Stokes) passed away aged 97 in a Solihull nursing home on Monday 21st September.
Flora the daughter of a travelling showman was married to Roundabout King 'Uncle' Jack Statham and set up their first roundabout in 1946, on waste ground (where Flora and Jack lived in a single-decker bus parked alongside the roundabout) they eventually moved to The Rex and later the Barracks Market. In 1958 the famous roundabout was moved to the brand new 'Round' Market, and history was made for Flora and Jack when their roundabout became the first one ever officially opened by Royalty, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra on 4th November.
Flora's nephew Anthony Stokes who now runs the Roundabout in Coventry Market with his daughter Rachel, said of his Aunt Flora, "Flora loved kids, and she loved the roundabout. In those days people used to leave their kids on the ride whilst they went and did their shopping. They knew they would be safe and looked after with Flora and Jack."
The fame of the Market roundabout was brought home to Flora when she was on holiday in New York, whilst eating dinner at a Manhattan restaurant she was interrupted when someone approached her and declared, are you the lady from the Coventry Market Roundabout? Obviously her fame had got 'around'.
When Jack passed away, she ran the Roundabout single-handed well into her 70's, until ill-health forced her to leave her beloved Merry-go-round.