Wolverhampton contribution to industry and manufacturing is second to none

Of course this depends on what you regard as the Midlands. Again someone else recently has questioned the role that the Black Country has played in industrial development, and they might be right to ask.

As far as Wolverhampton is concerned it is second to none in its contribution to the growth and development of this nation’s industrial and manufacturing history.

Wolverhampton is not and never has been part of the so called ‘Black Country’, yet its influence and manufacturing industry over the past century or more has influenced and shaped Britain’s identity profoundly.

Just to mention a few….in the 19th century Low Hill Farm at Bushbury was bought by Henry Lovatt who began a small building firm that eventually grew until it became a national icon, working for the government in the building of railways, reservoirs, churches and banks in this and other nations.

From theatres in London to the grand ECC company in Bushbury to mention just a few.

Guy Motors in Low Hill, built thousands of motor vehicles, buses and lorries, all proudly displaying the iconic Indian Headdress symbol on its worldwide products.

Henry Meadows, Goodyears, for tyres, Boulton Paul, for aircraft, Courtaulds in Hordern Road, the ECC, etc, and many others, to say nothing of the building of steam locomotives at Stafford Road GWR works, where the Armstrong Brothers of Railway fame were based.

Although on the edge of Wolverhampton there was then all the factory output and manufacturing by John Thompson’s group of companies together with Stewart and Lloyds at Ettingshall…the list is endless.

We should be proud of this great city of Wolverhampton which in this part of the country is second to none in its contribution to the nation’s growth.

Its trams and trolley buses network were second to none, yet how sad it was to see the old tramway depot demolished and the brick letters taken off to the Black Country Museum.

Maybe one day the wonderful old Low Level Station complex could be used as a transport museum for Wolverhampton to commemorate all that we once were and still are.

Yet how interesting that some of the manufacturing firms have chosen this area of Bushbury and Pendeford to be their home base for the industry and growth of our present era.

Peter Skidmore

Wolverhampton