Ten years after his death, David Bowie remains remembered for music milestones, fashion, and creativity. Yet one quirky story stands out in Warwickshire.
Norman Miller, a former Binley Woods Village Hall committee member, recalls his biggest memory of the Thin White Duke: a car park donation. Miller first approached Bowie in 2014, hoping to host a concert to raise funds for the hall.
He wrote letters detailing his family, his love for Coventry City’s Sky Blues, and local life. Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, replied that the star could not perform due to health reasons. Despite the rejection, Miller continued sending letters and jokes to Bowie, hoping to brighten his day.
Then, on 10 January 2016, the day Bowie passed away, Miller received an unexpected letter. It thanked him for the jokes he had sent and said they had made Bowie smile. More remarkably, the letter enclosed a donation of £10,116 for the village hall’s car park, the amount symbolically matching the date of Bowie’s death.
At first, Miller thought it was a scam. He showed the letter to his bank, who confirmed the account existed but was empty until the money transferred that same day.
Paul Salisbury, the current chair of the parish council, confirmed that the donation fully covered the car park’s deposit. He said it was “the last part of the jigsaw” for the project. Since then, locals affectionately call it “the car park David Bowie paid for.”
Miller said he had admired Bowie all his life. The fact that his letters and small jokes indirectly inspired such a generous act left a lasting impression. He described the donation as “the most memorable thing about Bowie for me personally.”
The story highlights the lasting impact of Bowie’s generosity, even in unusual and intimate ways. It also shows how fan engagement and simple kindness can ripple beyond expectations.
Today, the Binley Woods car park serves not only as a practical facility but as a tribute to the enduring connection between David Bowie and the people who loved him. The David Bowie Gift continues to remind the village of the star’s thoughtfulness, humor, and humanity.
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