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Yes Tony that is a good enough reason for picking the “Grand Theatre” Which is indeed the write answer.
But my reason was a little more subtle, Out of the eleven venues eight of them were built especially to show Films. But the “Grand Theatre”, “The New Theatre Royal” and the “Hippodrome” were built initally as Theatres’.
But on the 15th June 1931 The New Theatre Royal initially a Variety and Music Hall, became a cinema and in 1948 changed its name to the “Clifton”.
The “Hippodrome” Music Hall opened on the February 21st 1921 on the site of the old “Empire” Theatre in Queen Square.and many great names from the world of live entertainment appeared there till it unfortunately caught fire and was demolited in February 1956.
In 1931 though the “Hippodrome” had a short 12 month career as a cinema , showing films as the “Agricultural Hall” on Snow Hill was demolited to make way for the building of Wolverhampton’s first Super Cinema “The Gaumont”.
So the answer I hoped someone might come up with was The “Grand Theatre” because it was the only one of the eleven venues that never showed films.
Below the old cellar head.
Hi George Glad to see your are back I have been meaning to ring you I hope you and Pat are both well. Your sparring partner in Australia David has missed you and sends his best Wishes.
Its very quiet on our site at present with the majority of followers of Wolverhamptons past seem to find it more easier to banter to one another on Facebook, I do have a look at Wolverhampton in old Photographs and have put a few links on it to our site. But up to now not had much response.
I thought a little weekly quiz might attract more interest , but thats not really took of either at present. But I shall keep on and as I said before Glad to have you back.
Below the old cellar head.
Spot on with the first answer Tony The Date was the 12th May 1937.
The broadcast of the Kings Speech to be relayed to the Theatres and Picture houses across the town. Followed by a Pathe Newsreel of the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth to be shown next evening at selected picture houses.
Regarding the Dale Willenhall it would be an odd one out if we were thinking of the venues and Wolverhampton (But its not that easy)
And you could say the Queens was the odd one out being the only one that became a Ballroom. (But then again its not that easy)
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Well at least you checked it out and made an attempt, and that is all that I am interested in .For the idea of this Wolverhampton Quiz is test and jog the memories of older Wulfrunians and to further the knowledge and provoke the imagination, for the interested younger folk.
The answers below:
(1) There are many clocks featured on the walls of Wolverhampton Buildings most are unreliable Where in town would you see this one…
Answer: Today in Dudley Street on the left corner entrance to the Mander Centre.(2) This building in 1961 was a tailors can you name them…
Answer: Hepworths Ltd Tailors(3) This Building in 1951 was ….
Answer: The Bodega on the corner of Johns Lane, one of four Public Houses in that short run of Dudley Street in 1951Below the old cellar head.
It seems more help is needed here You were correct in assuming the shop in 1961 was a tailors indeed it was.
Wasn’t there a spot of bother in the store in the 1970’s When a Jamaican fellow died in an incident there the result of which caused a bit of racial tension in the town at the time.
Now if you can name this store It shouldn’t be to difficult to discover the name of the business trading there ten years earlier.
Answer Saturday.
Below the old cellar head.
I am looking forward to the day when I get more than one participant in the weekly Quiz .
But never mind I shall persevere.
The answers to No.4 Was as Tony said the Queen Mother. The Date was 1969. and the clue was the gentleman with the dog collar obviously a clergyman.
The venue was St John’s Church. Wolverhampton.
Below the old cellar head.
You were certainly on the right track Maggie
The quaint shop on the corner was indeed Lindy Lou or Copper Kettle on the corner of John’s Lane.
Halfway from there to the Central Arcade was a turning left to Dudley Street. On the corner of which for many years stood the Seven Stars Inn .
Next door to the Inn was an ancient nonconformist Chapel. which later became part of Mander Bros Paint an Varnish Works ,who after commencing business there, in the late 1700’s ,occupied most of Johns Lane or St John Street on the arrival of the Mander Centre.
Which places the the old Inn a few yards from the Barbara Hepworth Statue ‘s position today
On the left is a turn of the century view of Farmers Fold opposite with the glass lamp over the corner door was The Seven Stars.
Nearly all the cottages on the left date from the 18th century behind them out of view are Manders Varnish Works .
Below the old cellar head.
Scrolling through my files I came across this old photograph taken originally from a glass plate.
It shows Mason’s workshop in Walsall Street, after a devastating boiler explosion in 1857. Benjamin Mason was a fire-iron manufacturer. Several persons were killed by the explosion, and the east window of St Georges church was shattered.
Below the old cellar head.
Terrible tragedy Tony – yes factory life was no cup of tea in those days I suppose it depended on the generosity of the factory owner what little compensation you got.
At least Enoch was sufficiently well placed to have a decent burial at Holy Trinity, Heath Town, not like the many who died in similar circumstances now in unmarked graves in Merridale.
Below the old cellar head.
Hi again Tony.
I am glad Bob mentioned the thread again regarding the “Tunnel” as this name persisted in coming back to me ,so I got intouch with an old friend that worked and lived close to Dean’s Road in the 1950’s.
He told me the locals used the Old “Manly Arms” on the corner of Wolverhampton Road and Deans Road, and would you believe it the nickname of the pub was The Tunnell.
I suppose this was due to the Grand Junction Railway tunnell that went beneath the road at the side of it.
And of course Holy Trinity Church is a stones throw away .
Below the old cellar head.
Bob I must say you have a great website I enjoyed the blog on how to retrieve the hard drive from a defunct computer I have three G.4 Macs here in Wolverhampton awaiting your expertise.
I also have a talented artist son, and have also dabbled in a little pencil sketching myself in the past I like Williams drawings especially as I have a large collection of old engravings and Staffordshire church drawings which Williams drawings bring to mind.
Below the old cellar head.
As I said before J.M.W.Turner is my all time favourite artist and I have many old engravings of his work, unfortunately most of them depicting scenes abroad.
I also have many old engravings of other artists
This engraving of a painting by Sir William Quiller Orchardson is a particular favourite of mine.
It shows Napoleon on board HMS Bellerophon bound for St Helena, where he remained in exile until his death in 1821. The deposed Emperor stands on the deck, isolated from the group of officers on the left, who watch him with curiosity as he looks out to sea, contemplating his fate.
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Bob when I noticed born 1949 and your logo oldwulf, I thought thats it
Yes Bob you are Spot on (25th April 1954.)
Wolves had topped the league table for the first.time.
Albion had reached the final and went on to win it
The rest was an added bonus from you. Thankyou for taking an interest.
Below the old cellar head.
I don’t know who you are referring to by the editor Bob, but you are more than welcome on our site .
Looking at your family interests on your facebook page , shows what a great life you have enjoyed, and although now living in a part of the U.K. I hold dear, South Devon. Its nice to see you haven’t lost the love for your hometown and the Wanderers.
I am so pleased you thought fit to come on board our new forum on Lost Wolverhampton. Welcome
Billy
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Sorry to here about your illness Bob, But thank God they got you there in time.
Yoy must be costing the N.H.S a small fortune But I reckon its money well spent
Things have been very quiet here of late , George is obviously away again and I reckon both Emmie and Shirley have left us for Facebook. It appears there’s more scope for the younger
generation on that site.
But never mind we still have John F in Winsconsin and I hope you yourself when you get back on your feet.
So keep taking the tablets and lets here from you again soon.
best wishes Billy
Below the old cellar head.
Hello Bill
Welcome to our forum which I regret to say has lost a bit of its energy since we updated the format some months ago, but nevertheless our site will keep going and offer old Wulfrunians and welcome new residents such as yourself , an insight into what makes us still proud of our old town.
Below the old cellar head.
Nice one George. It reminded me of the times I came home from school with my one hand hiding the hole in the seat of my only pair of trousers, when the patch had worn away through fidgeting on my seat in class, Oh for the glory of Clothing Coupons.
Below the old cellar head.
Hi Bob
Thank you for trying to encourage a little of the past interest back into our new forum. I do hope its not because the old members have lost heart .
Perhaps we shall have to wait until the dismal winter evenings to arrive by which time people may have enjoyed this lovely summer and the many light night outdoor activites, and with holidays over, and the kids back at school, they may want to spend an hour or two on their computers.
Remember I am always here, ready to find and post a picture, share a memory , or answer any request.
Look forward to hearing from all interested in “Lost Wolverhampton”
Below the old cellar head.
Hi (prm137) Welcome.
You must introduce yourself . But first thank you for your interesting post. Yes what Wulfrunian over the age of sixty wouldn’t recall Pat Collins fair on the old Brickkiln Croft as you say were the new indoor Market stands today.
I have many fond memories of the fair on the patch making my first visit there with my parents when it was covered by canvas during the wartime blackout.
A picture of the Fair on the Patch circa 1948, to start what I hope will prove an interesting thread.
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Sorry Tony, There were many strange place names scattered in the back streets and courts in Wolverhampton at one time, You wouldn’t think someone would have the nerve to call a small row of terraced houses in Wolverhampton “Paradise” in the 1800’s But they did.
But regarding the “Tunnel”I am well and truly in the dark on that one.
Below the old cellar head.
Hi Dan,
Nice to see a corner of Wolverhampton not spoilt by progess. The Royal London Buildings named after the Insurance Company.
I am sure their are still many older Wulfrunians who can recall the clubman from the Royal London calling on their parents, to collect the weekly subscription on the penny polices they held.
I remember our Clubman , Mr Stanley whose claim to fame was that he had sold my grand parents a policy for my mother in 1910, one for me in 1937, and one for my son John in 1961, how’s that for service dedication.
The following photo is the exact replica of the site of the London Buildings taken as you did with your back to the Varsity, (“George Hotel”) probably taken around 1890, before the site was cleared The Public House on the right,was the ‘Coopers Arms’.
I am sure there is someone out there who will recall the famous Tea Company that later came on that spot.
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