Wolverhampton's Blue Plaques

 Gorsebrook Road
Stafford Road
Commemorating:

The First All-British Flying Meeting

Sponsored by:

Express & Star

Location:

Dunstall Park, Gorsebrook Road
The first midlands aviation meeting was held at Dunstall Park from 27th June to 2nd July, 1910 under the auspices of the Midland Aero Club, which was formed in 1909. Its headquarters were at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham and the club president was the Earl of Dartmouth. The official programme listed a varied selection of events. Prizes were awarded for the  flight of the longest duration, cross-country flying, passenger carrying, figure flying and bomb throwing.  

Music was provided by the South Staffordshire Regiment and the Wolverhampton Military Band. There was almost no flying in 1910 because of bad weather and a dispute with some pilots over payment of their hotel expenses. 

This postcard, postmarked 1910, was issued for the event.  The plane is superimposed on it.  But it does show Dunstall Park, and its grandstands at the time. Presumably the sheep were removed for the event.

The event was very popular and aviation meetings were held at Dunstall Park for several years.

Commemorating:

The World Altitude Balloon Record at Stafford Road Gas Works.

Sponsored by:

British Gas Transco

Location:

Science Park, Stafford Road
On 5th September 1862 a balloon filled with coal-gas from Stafford Road gas works, ascended from the works and achieved a world altitude record of over six miles. The balloon was piloted by James Glaisher and Henry Coxwell, who nearly lost their lives in the flight. Henry Coxwell was a balloonist and James Glaisher a scientist. The balloon eventually landed near Ludlow. After the flight James Glaisher wrote: "On emerging from the cloud at 1hr 17m. we came into a flood of light, with a beautiful blue sky without a cloud above us, and a magnificent sea of cloud below, its surface being varied with endless hills, hillocks, mountain chains and many snow white masses rising from it." Two hours later he passed out.