tarboat's photos with the keyword: bilston

It may be selling textiles now, but this shop at 10 Mount Pleasant, Bilston, clearly offered cassettes and cds not so long ago. The painted adverts are a reminder that this was once Hartill's motorbike and cycle shop. Abraham Hartill opened the shop in 1937, having moved from a smaller unit in the same block. He sold mainly second-hand motorcycles, some fifteen or so a week. Bicycles were also sold, and hire purchase facilities were provided. The sale of spares and provision for repairs completed the service. Hartills still operate a motorcycle repair business and MOT station on Caledonia Street at the rear of these premises.

The old tram depot on Mount Pleasant, Bilston, built in 1902, includes this terracotta panel. WDEC = Wolverhampton District Electric Tramways. The centrepiece is the logo of the British Electric Traction Company. Called 'Magnet and Wheel", the magnet consists of a length of special tramway rail bent into the form of a horseshoe magnet. Between the two poles is a tram wheel with electric sparks in the background.

Bradley & Co's trade name was Beldray, an anagram of Bradley; the company name was changed to Beldray in 1977. Their mark was based on a bell on a dray ( = lorry or truck) but sometimes only the name was used. They may have made copper kettles in the late 19th century but started a wide range of brass and copper art metal in about 1903, continuing until 1939 by when they were making brass and copper wares and general hollowware. The company continued in Bilston, now part of Wolverhampton, until 2005. (Information from Frank Sharman). History courtesy of Oldcopper website . Further information about the company can be found here

These terracotta heads grace the exterior of the former Bilston Technical School that now stands forlorn and very derelict. The building dates from 1897.