Wolverhampton's Blue Plaques
 Penn Road, Retreat Street, Graiseley Hill, Paul Street, Park Drive
Commemorating:

A. J. Stevens & Company (1914) Limited

Sponsored by:

Marston Wolverhampton Heritage Trust

Location:

Graiseley Hill, off Penn Road.
A. J. Stevens & Company (1914) Limited was one of the most important motorcycle manufacturers in the Midlands. The company was formed in 1914 and built a new works on the site of what is now the Safeway supermarket. The works eventually covered about 230,000sq.ft. and the company produced up to 25,000 machines a year in its heyday. Its motorcycles were very successful in competitions and the Isle of Man T.T., and gained a reputation for quality. The company sadly closed in 1931
Commemorating:
A. J. Stevens & Company (1909) Limited, Stevens Brothers Wolverhampton Limited and the Stevens Screw Company Limited.

Sponsored by:
Marston Wolverhampton Heritage Trust

Location:
Retreat Street, on the corner of Penn Street, off Lea Road

The premises was acquired in 1908 as a base for the Stevens Screw Company Limited. A. J. Stevens & Company (1909) Limited moved here from Pelham Street in 1909 when the company decided to produce its own motorcycles. In 1914 A.J.S. moved to Graiseley Hill and the premises was retained by the Stevens Screw Company. In 1932 after the closure of A.J.S., Stevens Brothers Wolverhampton Limited was formed here. The company produced 3 wheel vans and Stevens Motorcycles until 1938, when it too closed. The premises was again retained by the Stevens Screw Company until its closure in 1992.
Commemorating:
Sunbeam bicycles and motorcycles

Sponsored by:
IMI Marston Limited

Location:
Paul Street, on the front of the works, facing the Penn Road Island

.

The works originally produced tinplate goods and japanware, and was founded by John Marston. John was interested in cycling and the first bicycle was produced here in 1888, using the Sunbeam name. The first motorcycle was produced in 1912. Both the bicycles and motorcycles were extremely successful and became known throughout the world for their quality. Production ceased in 1936 due to falling sales. The company was then part of I.C.I. and the works began to produce radiators.

Commemorating:

John Rollings

Sponsored by:

Brian Rollings

Location:

The Quality Hotel, Penn Road.

The old part of the hotel was known as the Pines and was occupied by John Rollings from 1894 until his death in 1909. John was a Director of the Star Engineering Company which produced cars and bicycles. In 1897 he presented a peel of bells to the Royal Wolverhampton School Chapel.
Commemorating:

Evelyn Underhill

Sponsored by:

Wolverhampton Inter-Faith Group.

Location:

On the side of Victoria House, Royal Wolverhampton School, Penn Road.

 
Evelyn Underhill was born in 1875 and grew up in London. She embarked on a life of reading, writing, meditation and prayer. She produced a series of books on contemplative prayer and did a lot of lecturing. She died on 15th June 1941. Her books include The Bar-Lamb's Ballad (poetry), Mysticism, The Mystic Way, Immanence (poetry), Man and the Supernatural, Worship, and The Mystery of Sacrifice.

 

The plaque can be seen on the side of Victoria House. As viewed from the Penn Road.
Commemorating:

Louis Coatalen

Sponsored by:

Sunbeam Talbot Darracq Register

Location:

Bromley House, Bromley Place, Penn Road.

In 1909 Sunbeam appointed Louis Coatalen as chief engineer. He was an ex-Humber man who had gained a lot of experience in the industry. His designs were very successful, and he decided to raise the company's profile by involving the company in motor racing, and set up a competition department. His slogan was 'Racing improves the breed'. Sunbeam had numerous racing successes and began making attempts on the world land speed record. Their first success was in 1922 when K. Lee Guinness clocked 133.75m.p.h. at Brooklands. This was followed by Malcolm Campbell who pushed the record to 150.87m.p.h. in 1925. In 1927 the 1000h.p. Sunbeam was the first car to exceed 200m.p.h. 
Commemorating:
John Philip Kemble, actor.

Sponsored by:
Embassy Hotels

Location:
Park Hall Hotel, Park Drive.
John Philip Kemble received his early education at the Roman Catholic Seminary at Sedgley Park. He went on to become a famous actor who appeared at Drury Lane and Covent Garden. He made his first appearance on the stage in Wolverhampton, on 8th January 1776 in Lee's "Theodosius". His father Roger was was an actor-manager and several of his children became famous in the profession. John's sister Sarah became a famous tragic actress on the London stage.