Wolverhampton memories
Here are memories of Wolverhampton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Wolverhampton or a Wolverhampton photo.
Grand Theatre
I remember going to the Grand Theatre in Lichfield Street when I was a child. My aunt took me to see Margaret Lockwood in 'Peter Pan'. Her daughter Julia Lockwood was playing Wendy. Afterwards my aunt took me to the stage door and managed to get Margaret Lockwood's autograph and Julia's for me. My aunt was quite well known at the Grand as she visited regularly. Her father, my grandfather, was a violinist in the theatre's orchestra in the 1920s and 1930s. Later he became musical director there. Because of this my aunt worked really hard to prevent the theatre closing when it went through bad times, even to the point of buying rows of seats for performances and then pestering her friends to go with her!
My Parents Wedding
Although I wasn't to be born for another 6 years, I remember my mother teling me about her wedding day here. My brother's name is Peter, I wonder if the connection is from this church?
The Milano Coffee Bar.
I remember the first time I went downstairs to the "Mill' as my peers called it. In the cellar, it was dark, mysterious and wonderful. I had just started work and was finding my way around, like others, I was warned to keep away from this 'den of iniquity", however being me I ignored the warnings. I think the young lady behind the counter was called Maureen and she served the best hot chocolate in town. Amongst the clientele was a chap universally known as Mick the Greek, a Cypriot who I later got to know as an engineer with the GPO. When bands were playing there it was bedlam, so many people crowded into so small a place. I can honestly say yes, I was offered certain iffy substances, but only once and then I declined. Sadly it has gone the way of a lot of the town and ceased to be.
Memories...from Pat Round
My memories relate to 1949-1968 and I remember going to St. Paul's church hall to bop until I dropped with friends, and then had to walk home to Low-hill, shoes in hand, as we had missed the last bus. Happy times remembered with fondness. Regards Pat Hunt (Cook, nee Round). I now live in Perth, Western Australia and would love to catch up with anyone from the old country, and share memories.
Bedford Williams
I remember Bedford Williams before it became part of Beatties. I think there was a rocking horse which children could ride (?near the stairs). I went with my granny and wanted to go on the horse, but she told me to wait because another child was first - it turned out to be a child dummy modelling childrens clothes!!
Wolverhampton
Milano's was always a place my mother told me not to go to. I worked in Queen Street in a solicitors and had to deliver mail to all the other offices by hand. I saw my first Beatles movie in Wolverhampton. My sister 's haunt was the Queens Dance Hall, she married one of the Wolves players in 1964. Dudley Street was the place to shop, with Marks and Spencers, all the shoe shops and Woolworths. I now live in the States but then I lived in Lower Penn.
Teenage Memories of Bushbury
Does anyone remember the sand pits in Sandy Lane, it was in the 1940s, the workmen had been called up for war service. We found we had the sand pits to play in as we wished, apart from one old watchman it was a young lad's dream, the rails and trolleys were left there, we had great fun, but we had the war on our minds as most of my mates had brothers away in the services. Does anyone have photos of old Sandy Lane?
The Milano
Yes, the Milano was a little bit of the Left Bank in Wolverhampton. But what about the 'Troc'? It was a much more dubious place. 'Cool, Clean Consulate' were the other cigarettes if you wanted to pose and couldn't afford Passing Clouds. Dainne
'Milano' Coffee Bar
As a school girl I have delicious memories of the forbidden coffee bar in Darlington Street. I remember it was downstairs, or is that now muddled with a thousand other coffee bars? It was dimly lit and had an amazing machine that hissed and spluttered and made coffee, the taste of which I have no recollection beyond the fact that it was not Nescafe or Camp. No, the memories are of the romance and the excitement of imagining being just a little bit French, of mixing with the A level crowd of all the local grammar schools, the odd arty teacher and students from the college. There I learned to smoke Gauloise and Sobranie (Black Russian cigarettes from a shop whose name escapes me, though I think it begins with B), learning about Jazz and a hundred different ways of disguising myself to avoid prefects. The Milano was a huge and innocent influence on my adolescence. I hold it fondly in my memories and wonder if anyone has other memories... Read more
Pearks
Pearks was one of the first supermarkets in Wolverthampton to start trading. I worked there in 1962. My name was Marain Beech, I went on to marry a former work colleague, Chris Rutter.
Cheese was cut up on the premises, and so wa bacon. Many happy times. Does anyone else remember working there? The supermarket was in Queen Street. Names I remember are Elsie, John Volmer, Diane Cassey, Maurice Joan, Mickey Cullen, John Mills. Manager was Mr Tustin.
Bedford Williams Store
Hello, does anyone remember the Bedford Williams Store in Victoria Street, Wolverhampton? I was employed there in 1962 until about 1964 in the fabric department and I also worked on the button covering counter and stocking repairs. My supervisor's name was Miss Corkingdale. I would love to see if anyone remembers the store. I now live in Australia and I am trying to build a memory book about my life in England. I was 15 years old when I started work there so it's been a long time. I hope someone can remember either me or the store, or both. Thank you from Kathy Downunder.
Memories of West Midlands
Wimbourne Road Fallings Park.
First Playgroup opened here by Judith Morton (Vann) in 1970, the Minister was a Rev. Jack Dowson, he also married us and baptisted our two boys (Richard and David), we owned the corner shop on Bushbury Road opposite where the entrance to the old Methodist Chapel used to be. Remember me?
Our Part in Hitler's Downfall
Tettenhall was a logistical centre for the Normandy Landings. Americans were stationed in Danescourt House - long since demolished.
However several of the troops have returned over the years, some of whom were "mothered" by Auntie Grace - Mrs Grace Green, who at the time was the stewardess of South Staffs Golf Club, situated next to Danescourt.
The Golf Club became a central reception centre for refugees from the London bombings and a phone call by Grace to the commanding officer, brought a fleet of jeeps and trucks in, to distribute the children to their host families.
THE BAG WASH IN WEDNESFIELD .W.TON
There was an old bag wash where people could bring their dirty washing to be cleaned around New Street/North Street not far from the police station that was on the main Wolverhampton road. The police station was opposite J. Folks coal merchants. Can anyone recall where it was and are there any maps showing the old Bag Wash?
The Day The Commonwealth Secretary General Visited Wednesfield
Secretary General of the Commonwealth Mr Don McKinnon made his first visit ever to Wolverhampton. This is the first time in all the city's history that this has happened, and I can report he really enjoyed his day with us! I met him at the rail station at 9.36 the express train from London was smack on time. We travelled to the Mayor's Office where Mary and I got acquainted with the Commonwealth's top man! He was charming and was very interested in Wolverhampton. During the course of the day he remarked how nice it was "not to be in a capital city". Mr McKinnon was a very down to earth practical man who was interested in the city history , the way we organised local government and how the city was faring economically. We also spoke about the Commonwealth and their aims and the way that the organisation has developed. The Mayoress and I along with the Secretary General and Lainey Malkani fro the Commonwealth Secretariat then visited Coppice Performing Arts High... Read more
Gift to St Thomas's Church Wednesfield
Gift to Church
Our year as Mayor and Mayoress of Wolverhampton was simply brilliant, we have some lasting memories of the events and the functions we attended on behalf of the city.
But we also tried very hard to help where we could a range of both individuals and organisations. I think that everyone now knows that we have provided a belt bucket and sling for the Royal British Legion so that the standard bearers can carry their emblems more comfortably.
We also have commemerated our Mayoral year by investing in an Oil Set for St Thomas´s Church. We have been very well served by St Thomas´s and we wanted to recognise the partnership we established with Rev John Points who acted as the Mayor´s Chaplain during our year.
We were advised that the Church would appreciate an `Oil Set´ so we have purchased one to assist in Church Services. Both Mary and I have been very fortunate to belong to the Church.
We were married... Read more
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