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'{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{Use British English | date = July 2014}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Wolverhampton | settlement_type = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City]] and [[Metropolitan borough]] | image_skyline = {{Photomontage | photo1a = St Peter's Church, Wolverhampton.jpg | photo2a = Wolverhampton i10.JPG | photo2b = Chubb Building.jpg | photo3a = Wolverhampton Art Gallery 2.jpg | size = 280 | color_border = White | color = Black | spacing = 5 | foot_montage = }} | imagesize = | image_caption = Clockwise from top: [[St Peter's Collegiate Church]], the [[Chubb Locks|Chubb]] Building, [[Wolverhampton Art Gallery]] and the i10 building as part of the Interchange Project. | image_blank_emblem = Wolverhampton City Council coat of arms.jpg | blank_emblem_size = 100px | blank_emblem_type = [[Coat of arms]] | nickname = W'ton, W'hampton, Wolves, Wolvo, Wolftown, Shit-hole | motto = "Out of darkness cometh light" | image_map = Wolverhampton UK locator map.svg | mapsize = 300px | map_caption = Wolverhampton shown within the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands county]] | coordinates = {{coord|52|35|N|2|08|W|region:GB|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]] | subdivision_name = {{GBR}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]] | subdivision_name1 = {{ENG}} | subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of England|Region]] | subdivision_name2 = [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]] | subdivision_name3 = {{flag|West Midlands}} | subdivision_type4 = [[Historic counties of England|Historic County]] | subdivision_name4 = {{flag|Staffordshire}} | established_title = Founded | established_date = 985 | founder = [[Lady Wulfruna]] | named_for = | established_title2 = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City]] | established_date2 = 2000 | established_title3 = [[Metropolitan borough]] | established_date3 = 1 April 1974 | seat_type = Admin HQ | seat = Wolverhampton Civic Centre | government_type = [[Metropolitan borough]] | leader_title = Governing body | leader_name = [[Wolverhampton City Council|City of Wolverhampton Council]] | leader_title1 = [[List of Mayors of Wolverhampton|Mayor]] | leader_name1 = Elias Mattu | area_total_km2 = 69.44 | elevation_m = 163 | population_total = {{English district population|GSS=E08000031}} [[List of English districts by population|({{English district rank|GSS=E08000031}}]]) | population_as_of = mid 2014 estimate | population_density_km2 = 3407 | population_blank1_title = Ethnicity<br>{{small|(2011 census)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks201ew.xls |title=2011 Census: Ethnic group, local authorities in England and Wales |publisher=ONS |accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> | population_blank1 = 68% White (64.5% White British)<br />17.5% South Asian<br />6.9% Black<br />2.5% Chinese or other<br />5.1% Mixed Race | timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time]] | utc_offset = +0 | timezone_DST = [[British Summer Time]] | utc_offset_DST = +1 | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = [[WV postcode area|WV]] | area_code = 01902 | blank_name = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|ISO 3166-2]] | blank_info = GB-WLV | blank1_name = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]] | blank1_info = 00CW (ONS)<br />E08000031 (GSS) | blank2_name = [[British national grid reference system|OS grid reference]] | blank2_info = {{gbmappingsmall|SO915985}} | blank3_name = [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] 3 | blank3_info = UKG39 | website = {{URL|http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/}} }} '''Wolverhampton''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-uk-Wolverhampton.ogg|ˌ|w|ʊ|l|v|ər|ˈ|h|æ|m|p|t|ən}}) is a [[City status in the United Kingdom|city]] and [[metropolitan borough]] in the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], England. At the 2011 census, it had a population of 249,470.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks101ew.xls |title=2011 Census: KS101EW Usual resident population, local authorities in England and Wales |publisher=Office for National Statistics |date=11 December 2012 |accessdate=20 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="KS01-KSUA">[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-areas-in-england-and-wales/urban-areas-in-england-and-wales-ks01-usual-resident-population.xls KS01 Usual resident population Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas] Office for National Statistics. Hectares converted into km²</ref> The [[demonym]] for people from the city is "Wulfrunian". [[Historic counties of England|Historically]] part of [[Staffordshire]], the city is named after [[Wulfrun]], who founded the town in 985, from the [[Old English|Anglo-Saxon]] ''Wulfrūnehēantūn'' ("Wulfrūn's high or principal enclosure or farm").<ref name=farley>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/history/farley/oldwlv.htm |title=Wolverhampton 985 – 1985 |year=1985 |author=Keith Farley |publisher=Wolverhampton History & Heritage Society |accessdate=8 July 2007}}</ref><ref name="Horovitz">{{cite book |title=The Place-names of Staffordshire |first=David |last=Horovitz |authorlink= |publisher= |location= |year=2005 |isbn=0955030900 |pages=585, 662 |url=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=A History of Wolverhampton |first=Chris |last=Upton |authorlink= |publisher=The History Press |location= |year=2007 |isbn=186077508X |pages=8, 179 |accessdate=12 November 2012 |url=}}</ref> Prior to the Norman Conquest, the area's name appears only as variants of ''Heantune'' or ''Hamtun'', the prefix ''Wulfrun'' or similar appearing in 1070 and thereafter.<ref name="Horovitz" /> Alternatively, the city may have earned its original name from ''Wulfereēantūn'' ("[[Wulfhere of Mercia|Wulfhere's]] high or principal enclosure or farm") after the Mercian King,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/HistoricalWalks/ArchitecturalWalk/Architectural2.htm |title=An Architectural Walk |author=Rudi Herbert |publisher=Wolverhampton History & Heritage Society |accessdate=8 July 2007}}</ref> who tradition tells us established an abbey in 659, though no evidence of an abbey has been found.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/people/faith/christian/cofe/index.html |title=Anglicanism |year=2005 |work= |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=13 November 2012}}</ref> The variation ''Wolveren Hampton'' is seen in medieval records, e.g. in 1381.<ref>Plea Rolls of the Court of Common Pleas; National Archives; CP 40/483; Year 1381; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT6/R2/CP40no483/483_0027.htm; 6th entry (split between 2 lines)</ref> The city grew initially as a [[market town]] specialising in the [[wool|woollen trade]]. In the [[Industrial Revolution]], it became a major centre for coal mining, steel production, lock making and the manufacture of cars and motorcycles. The economy of the city is still based on engineering, including a large [[aerospace]] industry, as well as the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|service sector]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/culture/historic_weurope2.html#Anchor-United-60133 |title=Historic Cities in Western Europe |publisher=City Mayors |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> ==History== A local tradition states that King [[Wulfhere of Mercia]] founded an [[abbey]] of St Mary at Wolverhampton in 659.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/people/faith/christian/cofe/index.html |title=The History of Wolverhampton the City and its People |publisher=Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies |accessdate=13 June 2008 }}</ref> Wolverhampton is recorded as being the site of a [[Battle of Tettenhall|decisive battle]] between the unified Mercian Angles and West Saxons against the raiding Danes in 910, although sources are unclear as to whether the battle itself took place in [[Wednesfield]] or [[Tettenhall]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Horovitz |first= David |title= Notes and Materials on the Battle of Tettenhall 910 A.D., and Other Researches |year= 2010 |isbn= 978-0-9550309-1-8}}</ref> The Mercians and West Saxons claimed a decisive victory, and the field of Woden is recognised by numerous place names in Wednesfield.<ref>{{cite web |title= Wolverhampton City Council – Wodensfield School |publisher = Wolverhampton City Council |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/education_learning/schools/list/primary/Wodensfield.htm |accessdate=8 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Wodensfield Tower |publisher = Skyscraper Page |url=http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=21576 |accessdate=8 July 2007}}</ref> [[File:Lady wulfruna.jpg|left|thumb|Statue of [[Lady Wulfruna|Lady Wulfrun]] on western side of [[St. Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton|St. Peter's Collegiate Church]]]] In 985, King [[Ethelred the Unready]] granted lands at a place referred to as ''Heantun'' to Lady Wulfrun by royal charter,<ref name="Wulfruna">{{cite web |title= Lady Wulfruna |publisher= Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |url= http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/wulfruna/wulfruna01.htm |accessdate= 13 June 2008 |deadurl= yes |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080527210326/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/wulfruna/wulfruna01.htm |archivedate= 27 May 2008 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> and hence founding the settlement. In 994, a [[monastery]] was consecrated in Wolverhampton for which Wulfrun granted land at [[Upper Arley]] in Worcestershire, [[Bilston]], [[Willenhall]], Wednesfield, [[Pelsall]], [[Ogley Hay]] near [[Brownhills]], Hilton near [[Wall, Staffordshire|Wall]], [[Hatherton, Staffordshire|Hatherton]], [[Kinvaston]], Hilton near Wolverhampton, and [[Featherstone, Staffordshire|Featherstone]].<ref name="Wulfruna"/> This became the site for the current [[St Peter's Collegiate Church|St. Peter's Church]].<ref name="WHHS">{{cite web |title= History of Wolverhampton |publisher = Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/history/farley/oldwlv.htm |accessdate=13 June 2008}}</ref> A statue of Lady Wulfrun, sculpted by [[Charles Wheeler (sculptor)|Sir Charles Wheeler]], can be seen on the stairs outside the church.<ref name="Wulfruna"/> Wolverhampton is recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] in 1086 as being in the [[Hundred (county division)|Hundred]] of [[Seisdon]] and the county of [[Staffordshire]]. The lords of the manor are listed as the canons of St Mary (the church's dedication was changed to St Peter after this date), with the tenant-in-chief being [[Samson (bishop of Worcester)|Samson]], [[William the Conqueror]]'s personal chaplain.<ref>Mander, G.P. (1960) ''A History Of Wolverhampton to the Early Nineteenth Century''. Wolverhampton Corporation. Page 19</ref> Wolverhampton at this date is a large settlement of fifty households.<ref>{{cite web |title=Domesday Book |url=http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SO9198/wolverhampton/ |accessdate=6 January 2015}}</ref> In 1179, there is mention of a market held in the town, and in 1204 it had come to the attention of [[John of England|King John]] that the town did not possess a Royal Charter for holding a market. This charter for a weekly market held on a Wednesday was eventually granted on 4 February 1258 by [[Henry III of England|Henry III]].<ref name="WHHS"/> It is held that in the 14th and 15th centuries that Wolverhampton was one of the "staple towns" of the woollen trade,<ref name="WHHS"/> which today can be seen by the inclusion of a woolpack on the city's coat of arms,<ref name="Coat of arms">{{cite web |title=Wolverhampton Coat of Arms – Wolverhampton History |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/politics/local_government/wolves/coat_arms/index.html?sid=d988a0dcd52acacef8612d4e5f01f4e6 |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=11 June 2008}}</ref> and by the many small streets, especially in the city centre, called "Fold" (examples being Blossom's Fold, Farmers Fold, Townwell Fold and Victoria Fold), as well as Woolpack Street and Woolpack Alley.<ref name="WHHS"/> In 1512, Sir [[Stephen Jenyns]], a former [[Lord Mayor of London]] and a twice Master of the [[Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors]], who was born in the city, founded [[Wolverhampton Grammar School]], one of the oldest active schools in Britain.<ref>{{cite web |title= Wolverhampton Grammar School |publisher = Wolverhampton Grammar School |url=http://www.wolverhamptongrammarschool.com/pages/prospective/history.aspx |accessdate=16 June 2008}}</ref> From the 16th century onwards, Wolverhampton became home to a number of metal industries including lock and [[Key (lock)|key]] making and iron and [[brass]] working. Wolverhampton suffered two Great Fires: the first in April 1590, and the second in September 1696. Both fires started in today's Salop Street. The first fire lasted for five days and left nearly 700 people homeless, whilst the second destroyed 60 homes in the first five hours. This second fire led to the purchase of the first [[fire engine]] within the city in September 1703.<ref name="WHHS"/> On 27 January 1606,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/history/chronology/upto1700.htm |title=Up to 1700, Wolverhampton History & Heritage Website |publisher=Localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> two farmers, Thomas Smart and John Holyhead of [[Rowley Regis]], were executed on High Green, now Queen Square, for sheltering two of the [[Gunpowder Plot]]ters, [[Robert Wintour]] and [[Gunpowder Plot#Last stand|Stephen Littleton]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rowleyvillage.webs.com/rowleytimeline.htm |title=Time Line for Rowley |publisher=Rowleyvillage.webs.com |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> who had fled to the Midlands. The pair played no part in the original plot but nevertheless suffered a traitor's death of being [[hanged, drawn and quartered]] on butcher's blocks set up in the square a few days before the execution of [[Guy Fawkes]] and several other plotters in London.<ref name="WHHS"/> There is also evidence that Wolverhampton may have been the location of the first working [[Newcomen atmospheric engine|Newcomen Steam Engine]] in 1712.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rana |first=Suhail |title=New evidence supporting Wolverhampton as the location of the first working Newcomen engine |journal=International Journal for the history of Engineering and Technology |year=2009 |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=162–173}}</ref> ===19th century=== [[File:Wightwick Manor 02.jpg|right|thumb|Wightwick Manor]] The young Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent (later [[Queen Victoria]]) is known to have visited Wolverhampton in the 1830s and described it as "a large and dirty town" but one which received her "with great friendliness and pleasure". In [[Victorian era|Victorian times]], Wolverhampton grew to be a wealthy town mainly due to the huge amount of industry that occurred as a result of the abundance of coal and iron deposits in the area. The remains of this wealth can be seen in local houses such as [[Wightwick Manor]] and The Mount (both built for the [[Mander family]], prominent varnish and paint manufacturers), and Tettenhall Towers. All three are located in the western fringe of Wolverhampton, in the areas known as Wightwick and Tettenhall. Many other houses of similar stature were demolished in the 1960s and 1970s. [[File:Prince Albert Wolverhampton.jpg|upright|thumb|Statue of Prince Albert, Queen Square]] Wolverhampton gained its first parliamentary representation as part of the [[Reform Act 1832]], when it was one of 22 large towns that were allocated two members of parliament. A local mob attacking electors who voted or intended to vote for the Tory candidate led to the [[1835 Wolverhampton riot]], with Dragoons called in to end the intimidation. Wolverhampton was incorporated as a [[municipal borough]] on 15 March 1848 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]] before becoming a [[county borough]] in 1889.<ref name="woodfield">{{cite web |url=http://johnwoodfield.co.uk/oldwlv.htm |title=A History of Wolverhampton 985–1985 |publisher=John Woodfield |accessdate=26 June 2008}}</ref> The railways reached Wolverhampton in 1837, with the first station located at [[Wednesfield Heath railway station|Wednesfield Heath]], now Heath Town, on the [[Grand Junction Railway]].<ref name="Virgin Trains">{{cite web |url=http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/3%20Grand%20Junction%20D.pdf |format=PDF |title=The first trunk line – The Grand Junction Railway |publisher=Virgin Trains |accessdate=1 July 2008}}</ref> This station was demolished in 1965, but the area exists as a nature reserve just off Powell Street.<ref name="Heath Town Station">{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/railways/heath%20town.htm |title=Heath Town Station |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=1 July 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008182303/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/railways/heath%20town.htm |archivedate=8 October 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Wolverhampton railway works]] was established in 1849 for the [[Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway]] and became the Northern Division workshop of the [[Great Western Railway]] in 1854.<ref name="manufacturing">{{cite web |url=http://johnwoodfield.co.uk/wlvmanuf.htm |title=A History of Manufacturing in Wolverhampton |publisher=John Woodfield |accessdate=1 July 2008}}</ref> In the 19th century the city saw much immigration from [[Wales]] and Ireland, following the [[Irish Potato Famine]]. In 1866, a statue was erected in memory of [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]] the Prince Consort, the unveiling of which brought [[Queen Victoria]] to Wolverhampton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonarchives.dial.pipex.com/local_queen.htm |title=Queen Victoria's Visit to Wolverhampton |publisher=Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies |accessdate=17 June 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080214205957/http://www.wolverhamptonarchives.dial.pipex.com/local_queen.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 14 February 2008}}</ref> The unveiling of the statue was the first public appearance Queen Victoria had made since the funeral of her husband. A {{convert|40|ft|m|0|adj=mid|-tall}} archway made of coal was constructed for the visit. The Queen was so pleased with the statue that she knighted the then-mayor, an industrialist named [[John Morris (industrialist)|John Morris]]. Market Square, originally named High Green, was renamed Queen Square in honour of the visit. The statue replaced a Russian cannon captured from [[Siege of Sevastopol (1854–55)|Sevastopol]] during the [[Crimean War]] in 1855,<ref name="woodfield"/> and remains standing in Queen Square. The statue is known locally, especially among younger residents, as "The Man on the Horse". Wolverhampton was represented politically in Victorian times by the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Charles Pelham Villiers]], a noted [[free trade]] supporter, who was also the longest serving MP in parliamentary history. [[Henry Fowler, 1st Viscount Wolverhampton|Lord Wolverhampton, Henry Hartley Fowler]] was MP for Wolverhampton at the turn of the century. The [[Stafford Street drill hall, Wolverhampton|Stafford Street drill hall]] was completed in 1890.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.drillhalls.org/Counties/Staffordshire/TownWolverhampton.htm|title=Wolverhampton|publisher=The Drill Hall Project|accessdate=4 September 2017}}</ref> ===Since 1900=== Wolverhampton had a prolific bicycle industry from 1868 to 1975, during which time a total of more than 200 bicycle manufacturing companies existed there, but today none exist at all. These manufacturers included Viking, Marston, Sunbeam, Star, Wulfruna and Rudge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/work/industry/bicycle |title=History of Wolverhampton Bicycle Industry |publisher=Wolverhampton History |date=7 September 2005 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> The last volume manufacturers of bicycles left Wolverhampton during the 1960s and 1970s – the largest and best-known of which was Viking Cycles Ltd,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/Viking.htm |title=The Viking Cycle Company |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Website |accessdate=1 December 2014}}</ref> whose team dominated the UK racing scene in the 1950s (Viking's production of hand-built lightweight racing and juvenile bicycles exceeded 20,000 units in 1965). Closures of other smaller cycle makers followed during the 1980s including such well-known hand-builders as [[Percy Stallard]] (the former professional cyclist) and Jack Hateley.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/work/industry/bicycle2 |title=The Bicycle Industry |publisher=Wolverhampton History |date=8 September 2005 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> [[Wolverhampton railway station|Wolverhampton High Level station]] (the current main railway station) opened in 1852, but the original station was demolished in 1965 and then rebuilt.<ref name="highlevelstation">{{cite web |url=http://www.railaroundbirmingham.co.uk/Stations/wolverhampton.php |title=Wolverhampton Station |publisher=Rail around Birmingham and the West Midlands |accessdate=1 July 2008}}</ref> [[Wolverhampton Low Level railway station|Wolverhampton Low Level station]] opened on the Great Western Railway in 1855. The site of the Low Level station, which closed to passengers in 1972 and completely in 1981, is currently undergoing redevelopment.<ref name="lowlevelstation">{{cite web |url=http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/enwiki/w/wolverhampton_low_level/index.shtml |title=Wolverhampton low level |publisher=Disused Stations |accessdate=1 July 2008}}</ref> In 1918, [[David Lloyd George]], the British Prime Minister, announced he was calling a General Election at "The Mount" in [[Tettenhall Wood]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/genealogy/Mander/history/ManderFamilyHistory.htm |title=Mander Family History |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=1 July 2008}}</ref> Lloyd George also made his "Homes fit for heroes" speech at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in the same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/uncovered/wolves_wander/wolverhampton_wander2.shtml |title=A Wolverhampton Wander |publisher=BBC Black Country |accessdate=1 July 2008}}</ref> It was on the idea of "Homes fit for heroes" that Lloyd George was to fight the [[United Kingdom general election, 1918|1918 "Coupon" General Election]]. Mass [[council housing]] development in Wolverhampton, to rehouse families from slum housing, began after the end of the [[World War I|Great War]], with new estates at Parkfields (near the border with [[Coseley]]) and Birches Barn (near Bantock Park in the west of Wolverhampton) being built, giving the city some 550 new council houses by 1923. The first large council housing development in Wolverhampton was the [[Low Hill]] estate to the north-east of the city, which consisted of more than 2,000 new council houses by 1927 and was one of the largest housing estates in Britain at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/A-History-of-Council-Housing-in-Wolverhampton/2 |title=A History of Council Housing in Wolverhampton :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – photograph every grid square! |publisher=Geograph.org.uk |date=13 March 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> Mass council housing development in Wolverhampton continued into the 1930s, mostly in the north of the city in the [[Oxley, Wolverhampton|Oxley]] and [[Wobaston]] areas and on the new [[Scotlands Estate]] in the north-east. However, council house building halted in 1940 following the outbreak of [[World War II]] in September the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/A-History-of-Council-Housing-in-Wolverhampton/3 |title=A History of Council Housing in Wolverhampton :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – photograph every grid square! |publisher=Geograph.org.uk |date=13 March 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> [[Wolverhampton St George's tram stop|Wolverhampton St George's]] (in the city centre) is now the northern terminus for the [[Midland Metro]] light rail system. Wolverhampton was one of the few towns to operate surface contact trams and the only town to use the Lorain Surface Contact System.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/Trams/Trams.htm |title=Trams in Wolverhampton |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=1 July 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310022804/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/Trams/Trams.htm |archivedate=10 March 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Trolleybus]]es appeared in 1923, and in 1930 for a brief period the [[Trolleybuses in Wolverhampton|Wolverhampton trolleybus system]] was the world's largest trolleybus system.<ref>{{cite book |author=Graham Sidwell |title=Wolverhampton Trolleybuses 1961–67 |year=2006 |publisher=Middleton Press |isbn=978-1-904474-85-2 }}</ref> The last Wolverhampton trolleybus ran in 1967, just as the railway line through the High Level station was converted to electric operation. [[File:Wolverhampton Princes Square.JPG|left|thumb|Location of the UK's first set of traffic lights at ''Princes Square'': the poles are painted with black and white bands as they were originally.]] England's first automatic [[traffic light]]s could be seen in Princes Square, Wolverhampton in 1927.<ref name="Wolverhampton City Council">{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/transport_streets/motor/management/control.htm |title=Traffic Control and Traffic Signals |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=1 July 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920084143/http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/transport_streets/motor/management/control.htm |archivedate=20 September 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The modern traffic lights at this location have the traditional striped poles to commemorate this fact. Princes Square was also the location of the United Kingdom's first pedestrian safety barriers, which were erected in 1934.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Engineering/Steelway/History.htm |title=Steelway Limited |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=24 December 2012}}</ref> On 2 November 1927, the [[A4123 road|A4123]] New Road was opened by the then-Prince of Wales (later [[Edward VIII]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1927/nov/18/landlord-and-tenant-no-2-bill#S5CV0210P0_19271118_HOC_71 |title=Hansard |date=18 November 1927 |accessdate=1 July 2011}}</ref> linking the city with [[Birmingham]]. The New Road was designed as an unemployment relief project<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1923/jul/18/birmingham-and-wolverhampton-road#S5CV0166P0_19230718_CWA_21 |title=Hansard |date=18 July 1923 |accessdate=1 July 2011}}</ref> and was the United Kingdom's first purpose-built intercity highway of the twentieth century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pathetic.org.uk/features/secret_history/1919%201938/ |title=The Secret History of the Motorway |publisher=Pathetic Motorways |accessdate=24 December 2012}}</ref> [[Geoffrey Mander|Sir Geoffrey Le Mesurier Mander]], a member of the [[Mander family]], was Liberal MP for [[Wolverhampton East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton East]] from 1929 to 1945, distinguished for his stance against [[appeasement]] and as a supporter of the [[League of Nations]]. He was known as "the last of the Midland radicals". More recent members have included the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] mavericks [[Enoch Powell]] and [[Nicholas Budgen]]. Powell was a member of [[Edward Heath]]'s Tory shadow cabinet from 1964, until he was dismissed in April 1968 following his controversial [[Rivers of Blood speech]] in which he warned of massive civil unrest if mass immigration of black and Asian [[Commonwealth of Nations|commonwealth]] inhabitants continued. In 2005, former [[Bilston]] councillor and MP for [[Wolverhampton South East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton South East]], [[Dennis Turner, Baron Bilston|Dennis Turner]] entered the House of Lords as Lord Bilston. After the end of World War II in 1945, the council erected 400 prefabricated bungalows across Wolverhampton, and built its first permanent postwar houses at the Underhill Estate near [[Bushbury]] in the late 1940s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/A-History-of-Council-Housing-in-Wolverhampton/4 |title=A History of Council Housing in Wolverhampton :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – photograph every grid square! |publisher=Geograph.org.uk |date=13 March 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> The 1950s saw many new houses and flats built across Wolverhampton as the rehousing programme from the slums continued, as well as the local council agreeing deals with neighbouring authorities [[Wednesfield|Wednesfield Urban District]] and [[Seisdon Rural District]] which saw families relocated to new estates in those areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/A-History-of-Council-Housing-in-Wolverhampton/5 |title=A History of Council Housing in Wolverhampton :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – photograph every grid square! |publisher=Geograph.org.uk |date=13 March 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> The 1960s saw the rehousing programme continue, with multi-storey blocks being built on a large scale across Wolverhampton at locations including [[Blakenhall]], [[Whitmore Reans]] and [[Chetton Green]]. The later part of the decade saw the [[Heath Town]] district almost completely redeveloped with multi-story flats and maisonette blocks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/A-History-of-Council-Housing-in-Wolverhampton/6 |title=A History of Council Housing in Wolverhampton :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – photograph every grid square! |publisher=Geograph.org.uk |date=13 March 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> By 1975, by which time Wolverhampton had also taken in the majority of the former districts of [[Bilston]], [[Wednesfield]] and parts of [[Willenhall]], [[Sedgley]] and [[Coseley]], almost a third of Wolverhampton's population lived in council housing, but since that date social housing has been built on a minimal scale in the area, and some of the 1919–1975 developments have since been demolished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/A-History-of-Council-Housing-in-Wolverhampton/7 |title=A History of Council Housing in Wolverhampton :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – photograph every grid square! |publisher=Geograph.org.uk |date=13 March 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> Large numbers of black and Asian immigrants settled in Wolverhampton in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Wolverhampton is home to a large proportion of the [[Sikh]] community, who settled there during the period (1935–1975) from the Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. Today, the Sikh community in Wolverhampton is roughly 9.1% of the city's population. In 1974, as a result of local government reorganisation, Wolverhampton became a [[metropolitan borough]]. The United Kingdom government announced on 18 December 2000 that Wolverhampton would be granted [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] – an honour that had been unsuccessfully applied for in 1953, 1966, 1977,<ref name="citystatus">{{cite book |author=J.V. Beckett |title=City Status in the British Isles, 1830–2002 |year=2006 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |isbn=978-0-7546-5067-6 }}</ref> 1985<ref>{{Cite news |title=The town determined to join the city life |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=23 January 1985 |page=12 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref> and 1992<ref name="citystatus"/> – making it one of three "Millennium Cities".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1074434.stm |title=City winners named |publisher=BBC News |date=18 December 2000 |accessdate=8 July 2007}}</ref> Wolverhampton also made an unsuccessful application for a Lord Mayor in 2002.<ref name="citystatus"/> Many of the city centre's buildings date from the early 20th century and before, the oldest buildings being [[St Peter's Collegiate Church|St Peter's Church]] (which was built in the 13th century but has been largely extended and refurbished since the 15th century, situated on Lichfield Street)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/listed/stpeterschurch.htm |title=St Peter's Church |publisher=Localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> and a framed timber 17th-century building on Victoria Street which is now one of just two remaining in the area which was heavily populated by them until the turn of the 20th century. This building was originally a residential property, but later became the Hand Inn public house. It was completely restored in 1981 after a two-year refurbishment project and has been used by various businesses since then – currently as a second-hand book shop.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wulfrun |first=Lady |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/8050359@N07/2502450004/ |title=Lindy Lou, AKA The Copper Kettle, 19 Victoria Street, Wolverhampton, 1979.|publisher=Flickr |date=24 October 2008 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> The [[Wolverhampton Ring Road]] circumnavigates the city centre linking the majority of the city's radial routes. It was constructed in sections between 1960 and 1986, and carries the number A4150. The centre of Wolverhampton has been altered radically since the mid-1960s, with the Mander Centre (plans for which were unveiled on 15 April 1965)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expressandstar.com/days/1950-75/1966.html |title=Those were the days |work=Express & Star |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> being opened in two phases, the first in 1968 and the second in 1971. Several refurbishments have taken place since. The Wulfrun Centre, an open shopping area, was opened alongside the Mander Centre's first phase in 1968, but has been undercover since a roof was added in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistories.org/wolverhampton.html |title=A History of Wolverhampton |publisher=Localhistories.org |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> Central Wolverhampton police station was built just south of the city centre on Birmingham Road during the 1960s, but operations there were cut back in the early 1990s when a new larger police station was built on Bilston Street on land which became vacant a decade earlier on the demolition of a factory. This was officially opened by [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], on 31 July 1992.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wulfrun |first=Lady |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/8050359@N07/1020232961/ |title=Market Street, Wolverhampton June 1981. |publisher=Flickr |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> The city centre had several cinemas during the 20th century. The last of these was the ABC Cinema (formerly the Savoy), which closed in 1991 after 54 years. It has since been converted into a nightclub, with part of the site being converted into the offices of a [[recruitment agency]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/Cinemas/Cinemas.htm |title=A Century of Cinema in Wolverhampton |publisher=Localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> A modern landmark in the city centre is the Crown Court on Bilston Street, which opened in 1990 as the town's first purpose-built crown court.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wolverhampton's Architectural Heritage |url=http://www.wolverhamptonarchives.dial.pipex.com/local_heritage_civic.htm |accessdate=6 March 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515064941/http://www.wolverhamptonarchives.dial.pipex.com/local_heritage_civic.htm |archivedate=15 May 2008 }}</ref> Many department store chains including [[Beatties]], [[Marks and Spencer]] and [[Next plc|Next]] have stores in the centre of Wolverhampton. [[Debenhams]] is set to open a 3-floor department store in the [[Mander Centre]] in 2017. [[Rackhams]] had a store on Snow Hill for some 25 years until 1992. This building was then divided between a [[Netto (store)|Netto]] supermarket and the local archives service, but by 2006 its future was under threat as part of the proposed Summer Row retail development. This led to the closure of the Netto supermarket in June 2007 and the relocation of the archives service to the Molineux Hotel building in 2008. The building is now being demolished toward a development push from the Local Authority at various sites around the City. ===Art and culture=== From the 18th century, Wolverhampton was well known for production of [[japanned ware]] and steel jewellery. The renowned 18th- and 19th-century artists [[Joseph Barney]] (1753–1832), [[Edward Bird]] (1772–1819), and [[George Wallis]] (1811–1891) were all born in Wolverhampton and initially trained as japanned ware painters. The School of Practical Art was opened in the 1850s and eventually became a close associate of the Art Gallery. Among its students and teachers were Robert Jackson Emerson (1878–1944), Sir Charles Wheeler (Emerson's most famous pupil and the sculptor of the fountains in [[Trafalgar Square]]), [[Sara Page]] who established her studio in Paris, and many other artists and sculptors recognised locally and nationally. [[Wolverhampton Art Gallery]] was established in 1884, whilst [[Wolverhampton Grand Theatre]] was opened in 1894. There is a Creative Industries Quarter in Wolverhampton, just off Broad Street, with facilities ranging from the newly opened [[Slade Rooms]], to the art house cinema the [[Light House Media Centre]] and the Arena Theatre, which is part of the [[University of Wolverhampton]]. Wolverhampton has a strong history in the ornate cast iron safe painting industry from the Victorian era. Numerous companies, such as [[Chubb Locks|Chubb Lock and Safe Company]], hired, taught and expanded their artistic status to international reputation, whereby a safe became truly a work of art with fine script and hand-painted designs, highly collectible today. Even in the United States, one can find their preserved masterpieces to this day. The building was converted into a National Historic Registered Landmark Treasure in 1992, which now houses a cinema, art galleries, nightclub, business offices and a beautiful large stained glass [[rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]] in its foyer. It is among the few canal street factories so well known in the "Black Country" that has been preserved. Wolverhampton's biggest public art display is taking place between July and September 2017. [[Wolves in Wolves]] sees the installation of 30 wolf sculptures in the city centre and West Park, with the sculptures set to be auctioned off to raise money for charity when the event is complete. ===Exhibitions=== As its wealth and influence grew, Wolverhampton both took part in notable exhibitions and hosted them. [[The Great Exhibition]] of 1851, at [[The Crystal Palace]], had examples of locks, [[Japanning#Wolverhampton and Bilston|japanned ware]], [[Vitreous enamel|enamel ware]] and [[Papier-mâché#Europe|papier-mâché]] products all manufactured in Wolverhampton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/grtexhib/gtexhib.htm |title=Wolverhampton at the Great Exhibition, 1851 |author=Frank Sharman |publisher=Wolverhampton History & Heritage Website |accessdate=15 October 2012}}</ref> Following successful exhibitions at Mechanics' Institutes in [[Manchester]] and many northern towns, Wolverhampton held an exhibition that was the brain child of [[George Wallis]], an artist employed by the firm of Ryton and Walton. The exhibition was held in the Mechanics' Institute in Queen Street and showed fine art, furniture, and decorated trays, as well as a variety of ironwork, locks and steel toys.<ref name="Exhibitions">{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/electronic/exhibs/wolverhampton_exhibitions.htm |title=Exhibitions Great and Small |author=Frank Sharman |publisher=Wolverhampton History & Heritage |accessdate=15 October 2012}}</ref> On 11 May 1869 [[Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville|The Earl Granville]] opened the Exhibition of Staffordshire Arts and Industry in a temporary building in the grounds of Molineux House.<ref name="Exhibitions"/> The largest and most ambitious exhibition was the Arts and Industrial Exhibition which took place in 1902. Although housing only one international pavilion, from [[Canada]], the scope and scale of the exhibition mirrored all the advances in other exhibitions of its time. The exhibition site featured several halls housing machinery, industrial products, a concert hall, two bandstands, a restaurant, and a fun fair with thrill rides and a water chute. Its opening, by the [[Duke of Connaught]], was received with hopeful enthusiasm, unfortunately not matched by the weather, which contributed to a £30,000 loss, equivalent to nearly £2M at today's value.<ref name="Exhibitions"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/results.asp#mid |title=Currency Converter |publisher=National Archive |accessdate=16 October 2012}}</ref> ==Geography== Wolverhampton lies northwest of its larger near-neighbour [[Birmingham]], and forms the second largest part of the [[West Midlands conurbation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_urban_midlands_part_1.pdf |format=PDF|title= Key Statistics for Urban Areas in the Midlands |publisher=Office for National Statistics |accessdate=2 July 2008}}</ref> To the north and west lies the [[Staffordshire]] and [[Shropshire]] countryside. Wolverhampton city centre falls outside of the area traditionally known as the [[Black Country]], although some districts such as [[Bilston]] and [[Heath Town]] and the [[Willenhall]] side of Wolverhampton fall within the Black Country [[coalfield]]s, leading to confusion as to whether the entire city falls within the region. Modern usage has tended towards using the term to refer to the western part of the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands county]], excluding Birmingham, [[Metropolitan Borough of Solihull|Solihull]] and [[Coventry]]. Examples would be UK Government regional bodies such as the [[Black Country Development Corporation]], under whose remit the city fell. The city lies upon the [[Midlands Plateau]] at 163&nbsp;m (535&nbsp;ft) above sea level.<ref>http://elevationmap.net/5a-market-st-wolverhampton-west-midlands-wv1-3ae-uk?latlngs=(52.58467847246639,-2.1253867724609563)</ref> There are no major rivers within the city, although the [[River Penk]] and [[River Tame, West Midlands|River Tame]] (tributaries of the [[River Trent]]) rise in the city, as does [[Smestow Brook]], a tributary of the [[River Stour, Worcestershire|River Stour]], and thence the [[River Severn]]. This means that the city lies astride the main east-west [[Drainage divide|watershed]] of England. The geology of the city is complex, with a combination of [[Triassic]] and [[Carboniferous]] geology; specifically [[Bunter (geology)|Bunter]] and [[Keuper]] [[sandstone]], and Upper and Middle [[Coal measures]]. There is also an area of [[Diabase|dolerite]] intrusions.<ref>{{cite book |author=The West Midland Group |title=Conurbation: A Survey of Birmingham and the Black Country |page=41 |year=1948 |publisher=The Architectural Press |location=London}}</ref> ===Climate=== Wolverhampton's climate is [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfb'') and therefore quite temperate, with average maximum temperatures in July being around {{convert|21|°C|°F|0}}, and with the maximum daytime temperature in January being around {{convert|6.9|°C|°F}}. The [[Met Office]]'s nearest observation station is at [[Penkridge]], about {{convert|11|mi|km|0}} north of the city. {{Weather box |location = Wolverhampton (1981–2010) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |Jan record high C = 14 |Feb record high C = 18 |Mar record high C = 21 |Apr record high C = 25 |May record high C = 27 |Jun record high C = 31 |Jul record high C = 35 |Aug record high C = 35 |Sep record high C = 28 |Oct record high C = 28 |Nov record high C = 21 |Dec record high C = 16 |year record high C= 35 |Jan high C = 6.9 |Feb high C = 7.3 |Mar high C = 10.1 |Apr high C = 12.8 |May high C = 16.2 |Jun high C = 19.1 |Jul high C = 21.5 |Aug high C = 21.1 |Sep high C = 18.2 |Oct high C = 14 |Nov high C = 10 |Dec high C = 7.2 |Jan low C = 1.5 |Feb low C = 1.2 |Mar low C = 2.9 |Apr low C = 4 |May low C = 6.8 |Jun low C = 9.6 |Jul low C = 11.7 |Aug low C = 11.5 |Sep low C = 9.6 |Oct low C = 6.9 |Nov low C = 3.9 |Dec low C = 1.6 |Jan rain mm = 58.2 |Feb rain mm = 39.7 |Mar rain mm = 47.6 |Apr rain mm = 51.1 |May rain mm = 55.7 |Jun rain mm = 58.5 |Jul rain mm = 55.5 |Aug rain mm = 59 |Sep rain mm = 60.5 |Oct rain mm = 67.4 |Nov rain mm = 64.5 |Dec rain mm = 63.5 |Jan record low C = -13 |Feb record low C = -13 |Mar record low C = -11 |Apr record low C = -6 |May record low C = -3 |Jun record low C = -1 |Jul record low C = 3 |Aug record low C = 3 |Sep record low C = -1 |Oct record low C = -7 |Nov record low C = -10 |Dec record low C = -15 |year record low C= -15 |Jan sun = 47.9 |Feb sun = 65.5 |Mar sun = 97.5 |Apr sun = 139.6 |May sun = 179.6 |Jun sun = 164.2 |Jul sun = 183.6 |Aug sun = 168.1 |Sep sun = 124.9 |Oct sun = 97.8 |Nov sun = 57.3 |Dec sun = 38.3 |year sun = |source 1 = <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.msn.com/en-gb/weather/records/Wolverhampton,England,United-Kingdom/we-city-52.585,-2.113?iso=GB&form=PRWLAS&q=Wolverhampton%2C%20Wolverhampton|title = Averages for Wolverhampton|publisher = msn }}</ref> |source 2 = Penkridge extremes (nearest station)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gcq7pt4g5|title=Wolverhampton climate|publisher = Met Office}}</ref> |date= May 2016}} ===Areas of the city=== {{See also|List of areas in Wolverhampton}} As with much of the locality, the majority of areas in Wolverhampton have names that are of [[Old English]] ([[Anglo-Saxon]]) origin, with a few exceptions such as Penn (pre-English [[Common Brittonic|Brittonic]] place name) and Parkfields, Park Village, Lanesfield etc. (modern place names of the last couple of hundred years).<ref>David Horovitz – ''The Place Names of Staffordshire'' (2006)</ref> Localities in the City of Wolverhampton include: {{colbegin||15em}} *[[Aldersley]] *[[All Saints, Wolverhampton|All Saints]] *[[Ashmore Park]] *[[Bilston]] † *[[Blakenhall]] *[[Bradley, West Midlands|Bradley]] *[[Bradmore, West Midlands|Bradmore]] *[[Bushbury]] *[[Castlecroft]] *[[Chapel Ash]] *[[Claregate]] *[[Compton, Wolverhampton|Compton]] *[[Coseley]] † *[[Dunstall Hill]] *[[East Park, Wolverhampton|East Park]] *[[Essington]] †† *[[Ettingshall]] *[[Fallings Park]] *[[Finchfield]] *[[Fordhouses]] *[[Goldthorn Park]] *[[Gorsebrook]] *[[Graiseley]] *[[Heath Town]] *[[Horseley Fields]] *[[Lanesfield]] *[[Low Hill]] *[[Lower Penn]] †† *[[Merridale]] *[[Merry Hill, Wolverhampton|Merry Hill]] *[[Monmore Green]] *[[Newbridge, Wolverhampton|Newbridge]] *[[Old Fallings]] *[[Oxley, Wolverhampton|Oxley]] *[[Park Village]] *[[Pendeford]] *[[Penn, West Midlands|Penn]] *[[Penn Fields]] *[[Perton]] †† *[[Portobello, West Midlands|Portobello]] *[[Scotlands Estate]] *[[Sedgley]] † *[[Stowheath]] *[[Tettenhall]] *[[Tettenhall Wood]] *[[Warstones]] *[[Wednesfield]] † *[[Whitmore Reans]] *[[Wightwick]] *[[Willenhall]] † *[[Wood End, Wolverhampton|Wood End]] *[[Woodcross]] {{colend}} ; '''Notes''' :†–Partial Urban Districts added to Wolverhampton County Borough in 1966. These Urban Districts were split between Wolverhampton and other local authorities. Those parts within the present City of Wolverhampton local council area are considered by the ONS to be part of the Wolverhampton Urban sub-division. :††–Areas within the Wolverhampton Urban Sub-division but administered by [[South Staffordshire]] District Council. ===Nearby places=== {{See also|Black Country}} '''Cities''' {{colbegin||15em}} *[[Birmingham]] *[[Coventry]] *[[Lichfield]] *[[Stoke-on-Trent]] *[[Worcester]] {{colend}} '''Towns''' {{colbegin||15em}} *[[Bridgnorth]] *[[Cannock]] *[[Dudley]] *[[Newport, Shropshire|Newport]] *[[Penkridge]] *[[Sedgley]] *[[Stafford]] *[[Stourbridge]] *[[Telford]] *[[Tipton]] *[[Walsall]] *[[Wednesbury]] *[[West Bromwich]] {{colend}} '''Commuter villages''' {{colbegin||15em}} *[[Albrighton, Bridgnorth|Albrighton]] *[[Bilbrook, Staffordshire|Bilbrook]] *[[Brewood]] *[[Cheslyn Hay]] *[[Codsall]] *[[Coven, Staffordshire|Coven]] *[[Essington]] *[[Featherstone, Staffordshire|Featherstone]] *[[Pattingham]] *[[Seisdon]] *[[Tong, Shropshire|Tong]] *[[Trysull]] *[[Weston-under-Lizard]] *[[Wheaton Aston]] *[[Wombourne]] {{colend}} ==Government== The vast majority of Wolverhampton is governed locally by Wolverhampton City Council, although some smaller parts of the urban area are governed by [[South Staffordshire]] District Council. The area administered by the City Council is represented in the national United Kingdom parliament by three MPs representing [[Wolverhampton South West (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton South West]], [[Wolverhampton South East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton South East]] and [[Wolverhampton North East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton North East]] constituencies, with the areas administered by South Staffordshire District Council being represented by [[South Staffordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Staffordshire constituency]]. The entire city is part of the [[West Midlands (European Parliament constituency)|West Midlands constituency]] of the European Parliament. The City of Wolverhampton is a [[metropolitan borough]], meaning that its City Council is effectively a [[unitary authority]], and therefore is single-tier and provides all services to the district that a borough and county council would together. South Staffordshire District Council is a two-tier authority, with some services provided by [[Staffordshire|Staffordshire County Council]]. ===Civic history=== [[File:Wolverhampton 1921.jpg|right|thumb|Wolverhampton in 1921]] [[File:Town Hall , North St. , Wolverhampton - geograph.org.uk - 538393.jpg|thumbnail|right|The old Town Hall (magistrates court)]] Wolverhampton gained the beginnings of modern local government in 1777, when the Wolverhampton Improvement Act was passed by Parliament. This allowed for the establishment of 125 Town Commissioners who undertook a variety of local improvement work such as punishing bear baiting, improving drainage, widening streets and by the end of the century street lighting had been provided at every street corner and over the doorway of every inn, and water supply had been improved by the sinking of ten new wells and the provision of a great water tank in the market place. Policing had been improved with the appointment of ten watchmen and attempts were also made to regulate the markets and inspect hazardous food.<ref name="farley"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/politics/local_government/wolves/index.html?sid=14003c39a8d30c9d4326cdaba02d54e8 |title=Local Government in Wolverhampton |work=The History of Wolverhampton – The City and its People |year=2005 |accessdate=15 July 2007}}</ref> [[Wolverhampton (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton parliamentary borough]] was created by the [[Reform Act 1832]], which included areas currently located with the Metropolitan Boroughs of [[Metropolitan Borough of Dudley|Dudley]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Walsall|Walsall]] and [[Sandwell]] such as [[Wren's Nest]], [[New Invention, Walsall|New Invention]] and [[Sedgley]]. It was one of 22 large towns that returned two members of parliament. Under the [[Redistribution of Seats Act 1885]], the original borough was replaced by three new single-member constituencies: [[Wolverhampton East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton East]], [[Wolverhampton South (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton South]] and [[Wolverhampton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Wolverhampton West]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/politics/parliamentary_representation |title=Parliamentary Representation |publisher=Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies |accessdate=29 January 2013}}</ref> In 1837, [[Wolverhampton Borough Police]] was formed. It was disestablished in 1966, and the larger [[West Midlands Constabulary]], which covered not only Wolverhampton but the County Boroughs of [[Walsall]], [[Dudley]], [[West Bromwich]] and [[County Borough of Warley|Warley]] took over its duties and was headquartered in the city. This force was then replaced in 1974 with the West Midlands Police.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlandspolicemuseum.co.uk/wolverhamptonboroughpolice.htm |title=Wolverhampton Borough Police |publisher=West Midlands Police Museum |accessdate=23 July 2008}}</ref> Wolverhampton was incorporated as a [[municipal borough]] in 1849 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]].<ref name=StaffsArchive>{{cite web |url=http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/archives/history/placeguide/SPGWolverhamptonTown.htm |title=Archive Gazetter – Wolverhampton |publisher=Staffordshire County Archives |accessdate=23 July 2008}}</ref> The town was then made a [[County Borough]] in 1889 under the [[Local Government Act 1888]].<ref name=StaffsArchive/> In 1933, the boundaries of the borough expanded, taking in areas from [[Cannock Rural District]] and [[Seisdon Rural District]], with very little of the surrounding urban area being affected,<ref name=avob>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10136544&c_id=10001043 |title=Relationships / unit history of WOLVERHAMPTON |publisher=A Vision of Britain |accessdate=15 July 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001011102/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10136544&c_id=10001043 |archivedate=1 October 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> with only [[Heath Town]] Urban District being abolished. The bulk of the [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district]]s of Bilston (a borough itself after 1933), [[Tettenhall]] and [[Wednesfield]] were added to the borough in 1966, along with the northern section of the urban district of [[Coseley]] and parts from the north of [[Sedgley]] and the west of [[Willenhall]]. The vast majority of these areas were traditionally part of the Parish of Wolverhampton, and were part of the original Parliamentary Borough.<ref name=avob/> Wolverhampton was one of only two County Boroughs (the other being [[Liverpool]]) to have no changes made to the boundary during the [[Local Government Act 1972|1974 reorganisation of local government]], the borough already having a population larger than the 250,000 required for education authorities. This contrasted with both the [[Redcliffe-Maud Report]], and the initial White Paper for the 1974 reforms<ref name=white_paper>HMSO. ''Local Government in England: Government Proposals for Reorganisation''. Cmnd. 4584</ref> where large areas of the present [[South Staffordshire]] district were to be added to the borough. During the 1974 reforms it was placed within the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands Metropolitan County]]. Wolverhampton was also a [[Royal Peculiar]] covering a large area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stpetersguild.org.uk/thechurch.htm |title=The Church |publisher=St. Peter's Guild of Change Ringers|accessdate=23 July 2008}}</ref> ===Wolverhampton City Council=== {{Main article|Wolverhampton City Council}} {{See also|List of Mayors of Wolverhampton}} The council offices are in the Civic Centre, which is located in St. Peter's Square in the city centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wolverhampton City Council: Contact Us |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/Contact_us/ |accessdate=29 May 2008}}</ref> The city council's motto is "Out of darkness cometh light".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/listed/lowhill%20lib/lowhillib.htm |title=Low Hill Branch Library |publisher=Wolverhampton History & Heritage Society |accessdate=8 July 2007}}</ref> The [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] currently control the council and have been in majority on the council since 1974, with the exceptions of 1978–1979, 1987, 1992–1994 and 2008–2010.<ref name="council stats">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/cw.stm |title=Wolverhampton City Council local elections 2008 |publisher=BBC |date=2 May 2008 |accessdate=29 May 2008}}</ref> The Labour party won 18 out of 20 council seats that were up for election in 2016. Conservative Councillor Barry Findlay is Mayor of Wolverhampton for 2016–17.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mayor.cityofwolverhamptoncouncil.co.uk/message.html|title=A Message from the Mayor|publisher=City of Wolverhampton Council|date=5 June 2016|accessdate=6 June 2016}}</ref> ===Honorary Aldermen=== The [[Local Government Act]] 1972 (Section 249) provides for appointment of Honorary Aldermen. The names of Honorary Aldermen are inscribed on a roll of honour board. This is situated on the ground floor of the [[Wolverhampton City Council|Civic Centre]]. {{colbegin||25em}} *Former Councillor Mrs Hodson, January 1999 *Former Councillor Mrs Howells, January 1999 *Councillor Mrs D Seiboth, October 2000 *Councillor N.G. Davies, September 2002 *Councillor Carpenter, September 2002 *Councillor A Hart, December 2007 *Councillor R Hart, December 2008 *Councillor T Bowen, November 2009 *Former Councillor Surjan Singh Duhra, July 2011 *Former Councillor Mrs Paddy Bradley, September 2012 *Former Councillor John Davis, September 2012 {{colend}} ===Police=== The main police station for Wolverhampton is based on Bilston Street<ref name="WMP YLS">{{cite web|title=Your local stations|url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-local-police/wolverhampton/|publisher=West Midlands Police|accessdate=10 February 2014}}</ref> in the city centre. [[Wolverhampton Borough Police]] became part of [[West Midlands Constabulary]] in 1966.<ref>[http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/HO/CircularsOld.nsf/0/3B8A274F27248B2680256D7300434C90/$file/Home%20Office%20Circular%20067%20-%201966.pdf Home Office circular 67-1966 announcing the force's creation]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Policing is currently delivered by West Midlands Police.<ref name="WMP YLS" /> ==Freemen of Wolverhampton== Below is a list of people granted the title 'Freeman of Wolverhampton':<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/politics/local_government/wolves/freemen |title = Freemen of Wolverhampton |publisher = Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies and Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Services |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6GRPiuq5G?url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/politics/local_government/wolves/freemen |archivedate = 7 May 2013 |deadurl = no |df = dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.wolverhampton.gov.uk/council/mayors/freedom/ |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |title=Freedom of the City |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6GRPe79Hl?url=http://www2.wolverhampton.gov.uk/council/mayors/freedom/ |archivedate=7 May 2013 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref> {{colbegin|2}} *Right Honourable [[Henry Fowler, 1st Viscount Wolverhampton|Henry Hartley Fowler]], MP, 11 February 1892 *Right Honourable [[Charles Pelham Villiers]] MP, 11 May 1897 *Sir [[Charles Tertius Mander]], Bt, 24 May 1897 *Sir [[Joseph Cockfield Dimsdale]], MP, 29 July 1902 *[[Sir Alfred Hickman, 1st Baronet|Sir Alfred Hickman]], MP, 29 July 1902 *Alderman [[William Highfield Jones]], 29 July 1902 *[[George Chubb, 1st Baron Hayter|Sir George Hayter Chubb]], 14 October 1909 *Alderman [[John Marston (businessman)|John Marston]], 14 October 1909 *Alderman [[Joseph Jones (Ironmaster)|Joseph Jones]], 14 August 1912 *Right Honourable [[David Lloyd George]] MP, 23 November 1918 *[[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Field Marshal Earl Haig of Bemersyde]], 16 October 1919 *Alderman [[Albert Baldwin Bantock]], 9 November 1926 *Alderman Levi Johnson, 9 November 1926 *Alderman Thomas William Dickinson, 18 July 1938 *Alderman Thomas Austin Henn, 7 October 1943 *Alderman Alan Davies, 29 October 1945 *Sir [[Charles Arthur Mander]], 29 October 1945 *Joseph Harold Sheldon (1920–1964), 24 March 1958. Pediatrician, see [[Freeman–Sheldon syndrome]] *Sir [[Charles Wheeler (sculptor)|Charles Wheeler]], 24 March 1958 *[[Denise Lewis|Denise Lewis OBE]], 13 December 2000 *Sir [[Jack Hayward|Jack Hayward, OBE]], 9 July 2003 *Veterans of the [[Princess Irene Brigade]] who were members of<br> the [[Dutch Army]] stationed at [[Wrottesley Hall|Wrottesley Park]] during<br> [[World War II]], 19 August 2006 *[[Dennis Turner, Baron Bilston]], The Lord Bilston, 20 December 2006 *[[Hugh Porter|Hugh Porter, MBE]], 17 December 2008 *[[Rachael Heyhoe Flint]], Baroness Heyhoe Flint, [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]], [[Deputy Lieutenant|DL]], 3 November 2010 {{colend}} ==Demography== {| class="wikitable" id="toc" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%; text-align:center" cellspacing="5" |- !colspan=5|Wolverhampton Compared |- |'''[[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK Census]]'''||'''Wolverhampton (urban)'''||'''Wolverhampton (borough)'''||'''[[West Midlands conurbation]]'''||'''England''' |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|Total population||251,462||236,582||2,284,093||49,138,831 |- !colspan=5| |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|White||78.9%||77.8%||79.6%||90.9% |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|Asian||13.6%||14.3%||13.5%||4.6% |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|Black||4.4%||4.6%||3.9%||2.3% |- !colspan=5 style="font-size:90%;"|Source: Office for National Statistics<ref name="2001ethnicdata">{{Cite journal|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8283&More=Y |title=KS06 Ethnic Group: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas |publisher=National Statistics |accessdate=16 February 2009 |postscript= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804211441/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8283&More=Y |archivedate=4 August 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="2001ethnicdataborough">{{Cite journal |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8296&More=Y |title=KS06 Ethnic group: Key Statistics for urban areas, summary results for local authorities|publisher=National Statistics |accessdate=16 February 2009 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref> |} The [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]] gives the Wolverhampton Urban Subdivision as the second largest in the [[West Midlands conurbation]]. The figure given for Wolverhampton is 251,462 which also includes areas outside the borough (236,583). By this reckoning it is the 12th largest city in England outside London. Wolverhampton has a relatively old population, with the proportion of the population aged 60 and over being larger than the proportion of children aged 15 or under. The proportion of young people in the city has decreased between the [[United Kingdom Census 1991|1991 Census]] and the 2001 Census by 7.4%, compared with an England and Wales average increase of 1.7%. The proportion of females within the city (51%) is slightly higher than that of males (49%). Of adults aged over 16, 31.3% were single, 43.4% were married for the first time, 7.7% divorced and 9.6% were widowed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BE7BAD9A-265D-4D15-9CC0-AA146F0FEA87/0/keystats_marital.pdf |title=MARITAL STATUS |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |format=PDF |accessdate=15 July 2007}}</ref> Wolverhampton has a [[White British]] population of 78.9%, with 22.2% of residents classifying themselves as non-white in the 2001 Census, with the largest non-white category being Indian at 12.3%, which compares with a West Midlands average of 6.2% and an England and Wales average of 2.1%. Wolverhampton had a significant Asian population who mainly reside in Penn, Farndale and Whitmore Reans areas of the city. It has a high black population who mainly reside in the Heath Town and Whitmore Reans areas of the city. The city is well multicultural and racial tensions and prejudices are amongst the lowest in the country. Based upon the 2001 census, Wolverhampton has a Christian population of 67.4% and non-Christian religions of 13.6% of people, compared with 5.5% for England and Wales. Wolverhampton has the fourth largest Sikh community in England and Wales. [[Sikhism|Sikhs]] accounting for 7.6% of Wolverhampton's population in 2001. Wolverhampton's Sikh Population rose to 9.1% in the 2011 census. The number of [[Hinduism|Hindus]] is also higher than the England and Wales average (Wolverhampton 3.9%, England and Wales 1.1%), while the proportion of people following [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] was below the average for England and Wales. The figure for [[Buddhism]] is in line with the England and Wales average. The 2009 British Social Attitudes Survey, which covers Great Britain but not Northern Ireland, indicated that over 50% of the population would self classify as not religious at all and this should be reflected in the current general Wolverhampton population. {| class="wikitable" id="toc" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%; text-align:center" cellspacing="5" |- !colspan=5|Religion within Wolverhampton |- |'''[[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK Census]]'''||'''Wolverhampton (urban)'''||'''Wolverhampton (borough)'''||'''[[West Midlands conurbation]]'''||'''England''' |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|Total population||251,462||236,582||2,284,093||49,138,831 |- !colspan=5| |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|Christian||67.4%||66.5%||67.0%||71.7% |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|[[Sikhism|Sikh]]||7.2%||7.6%||3.4%||0.6% |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|[[Hinduism|Hindu]]||3.7%||3.9%||1.8%||1.1% |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|[[Muslim]]||1.6%||1.7%||7.9%||3.0% |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|No religion||11.3%||11.3%||11.5%||14.8% |- | style="background:#9cc; color:navy;"|Not stated||8.2%||8.4%||7.8%||7.7% |- !colspan=5 style="font-size:90%;"|Source: Office for National Statistics<ref name="2001religion">{{Cite journal |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8286&More=Y |title=KS07 Religion: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas |publisher=National Statistics |accessdate=16 February 2009 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref><ref name="2001religionborough">{{Cite journal |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8301&More=Y |title=KS07 Religion: Key Statistics for urban areas, summary results for local authorities|publisher=National Statistics |accessdate=16 February 2009 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref> |} According to the 2001 Census, 62.2% of the population of the city between the ages of 16 and 75 are considered to be economically active, with 37.5% holding full-time employment, 11.3% part-time employment, 5.4% self-employed and 2.6% being full-time students with other employment. Of those who are economically inactive, 14.4% were retired, 7.1% were looking after homes or families, whilst 5.1% were full-time students without other employment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/48B872C0-9D67-4AA0-943D-196056FFB88B/0/keystats_econactivity.pdf |title=ECONOMIC ACTIVITY |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |format=PDF |accessdate=15 July 2007}}</ref> Degree-level qualifications (or above) were held by 13.6% of the population (compared with 19.8% in England and Wales), while 40.7% possessed no qualifications (compared with 29.1% across England and Wales).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/027DE738-9E1F-4291-893D-72F5370CCB17/0/keystats_qualifications.pdf |title=QUALIFICATIONS |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |format=PDF |accessdate=15 July 2007}}</ref> Wolverhampton is within the top 11% of local council areas in England and Wales (excluding London Boroughs) for public transport use for travelling to work at 16% of the total. 63% used private transport, either as a driver or passenger, 13% cycled or travelled on foot, whilst 8% worked from home.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/0C868727-A44E-4A93-AD3A-EC5FB425E067/0/keystats_travel.pdf |title=TRAVEL TO WORK |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |format=PDF |accessdate=15 July 2007}}</ref> Car ownership is lower than the average for England and Wales with 35.2% of households not owning a car, compared with 26.8% nationally. Single car ownership is in line with national averages (Wolverhampton 42.9%, England and Wales 43.8%), while the proportion of households owning more than one car is lower than the national average.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F023DBE5-E4D1-4739-B29D-10642E7B7335/0/keystats_car.pdf |title=CAR OWNERSHIP |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |format=PDF |accessdate=15 July 2007}}</ref> Within the city there is an LGBT community with an LGBT club in the city centre. According to the 2001 Census, Wolverhampton is one of the 243 [[Travel to Work Area]]s in the United Kingdom. There were 163,378 people resident within the TTWA who were in employment, and 157,648 jobs. The TTWA extends outside the city itself into the local council districts of [[Metropolitan Borough of Dudley|Dudley]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Walsall|Walsall]], [[South Staffordshire]] and [[Shropshire]] and has an area of 405&nbsp;km² (156&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/ttwa.asp |title=Travel to Work Areas |publisher=Office for National Statistics |accessdate=24 September 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001231202/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/ttwa.asp |archivedate=1 October 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref> According to [[Eurostat]] data, Wolverhampton has its own [[Larger Urban Zone]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/tender/pdf/2007urban/reference.pdf|format=PDF|title=Urban Audit Analysis II|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=5 October 2008|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030190016/http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/tender/pdf/2007urban/reference.pdf|archivedate=30 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-RA-07-024/EN/KS-RA-07-024-EN.PDF|format=PDF|title=European Regional and Urban Statistics|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=5 October 2008|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030190016/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-RA-07-024/EN/KS-RA-07-024-EN.PDF|archivedate=30 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> which had a total resident population in 2004 of 344,400.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx?CityCode=UK028C&CountryCode=UK |title=Urban Audit – City Profiles: Wolverhampton |publisher=Urban Audit |accessdate=5 October 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523080008/http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx?CityCode=UK028C&CountryCode=UK |archivedate=23 May 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> ===Population change=== The tables below detail the population change since 1750, separating that of the city itself and the geographical area now administered by Wolverhampton City Council. {{historical populations|align=center|cols=4 | percentages = pagr | title = Historical population of Wolverhampton | 1750| 7,454 | 1801| 20,710 | 1811| 29,253 | 1821| 35,816 | 1831| 46,937 | 1841| 68,426 | 1851| 90,301 | 1861| 111,033 | 1871| 68,291 | 1881| 75,766 | 1891| 82,662 | 1901| 94,107 | 1911| 95,328 | 1921| 102,342 | 1931| 133,212 | 1939| 143,213 | 1951| 162,172 | 1961| 150,825 | 1971| 269,168 | 1981| 265,631 | 1991| 257,943 | 2001| 251,462 | 2011| N/A | source = <small>Issac Taylor's Map 1750<ref name="WHHS"/>{{•}} Township 1801–1881<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10297485&c_id=10001043&add=N |title=Wolverhampton USD |publisher=Vision of Britain |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref>{{•}} Urban Sanitary District 1891<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10137445&c_id=10001043&add=N |title=Wolverhampton USD |publisher=Vision of Britain |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref>{{•}} County Borough 1901–1971<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10136544&c_id=10001043&add=N |title=Wolverhampton County Borough |publisher=Vision of Britain |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref>{{•}} Urban Subdivision 1981–2011<ref>{{Cite journal |title=1981 Key Statistics for Urban Areas GB Table 1 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |year=1981 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/west_midlands_urban_area.asp |title=West Midlands Urban Area 1991 Census |publisher=National Statistics |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8271&Pos=2&ColRank=1&Rank=224 |title=KS01 Usual resident population: Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas |publisher=National Statistics |accessdate=24 July 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820062255/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8271&Pos=2&ColRank=1&Rank=224 |archivedate=20 August 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref></small> }} {{historical populations|align=center|cols=4 | percentages = pagr |title = Historical population of area now administered by Wolverhampton City Council | 1750| N/A | 1801| 11,786 | 1811| 15,597 | 1821| 19,012 | 1831| 23,067 | 1841| 54,365 | 1851| 70,112 | 1861| 87,254 | 1871| 104,395 | 1881| 121,537 | 1891| 130,868 | 1901| 145,645 | 1911| 162,098 | 1921| 178,068 | 1931| 195,621 | 1939| 214,359 | 1951| 234,893 | 1961| 251,435 | 1971| 269,166 | 1981| 252,474 | 1991| 248,454 | 2001| 236,573 | 2011| 249,470 | source = <small>Vision of Britain<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10168650&c_id=10001043&add=N |title=Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough |publisher=Vision of Britain |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref></small> }} ==Economy== Traditionally, Wolverhampton's economy has been dominated by [[iron]], [[steel]], [[automobiles]], engineering and manufacturing industries. Many of the traditional industries in the city have closed or dramatically downsized over the years. However, by 2008 the economy was dominated by the [[Tertiary sector of economic activity|service sector]], with 74.9% of the city's employment being in this area. The major subcomponents of this sector are in public administration, education and health (32.8% of the total employment), while distribution, hotels and restaurants take up 21.1%, and finance and IT takes up 12.7%. The largest non-service industry was that of manufacturing (12.9%), whilst 5.2% of the total employment is related to the tourism industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431971/printable.aspx|title=Nomis Official Labour Market Statistics 2008 Local Authority Profile: Wolverhampton |publisher=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=15 December 2008}}</ref> The largest single employer within the city is Wolverhampton City Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolvcoll.ac.uk/international/details/about_us.html |title=About Us |publisher=City of Wolverhampton College |accessdate=17 June 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080615204124/http://www.wolvcoll.ac.uk/international/details/about_us.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 15 June 2008}}</ref> which has over 12,000 staff<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/jobs_careers/ |title=Jobs and Careers |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> Other large employers within the city include: * Banking: [[Birmingham Midshires]] (Headquarters) * Building materials: [[Tarmac Group|Tarmac]] and Carvers Builders Merchant * Education: [[University of Wolverhampton]] and [[City of Wolverhampton College]] * Construction: [[Carillion]] (Headquarters) * Brewing: [[Marston's]] (Headquarters) * Aerospace: H S Marston, [[Moog Inc|MOOG]] and [[Goodrich Corporation|Goodrich Actuation Systems]] * Retail: [[Beatties]] (now owned by [[House of Fraser]]) * Manufacturing: [[Chubb Locks]], [[Jaguar Land Rover]] ([[Engine Manufacturing Centre|Engine Assembly Plant]]) * National Health Service (NHS): [[New Cross Hospital]] '''Jaguar Land Rover''' In 2014 [[Jaguar Land Rover]] opened a £500 million [[Engine Manufacturing Centre|Engine Assembly Plant]] at the [[i54|i54 business park]], Wolverhampton. Unveiled by [[Elizabeth II|Her Majesty]], the plant produces 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Ingenium diesel and petrol engines. Having already been expanded once before, in 2015 it was announced that the factory would be doubling in size to 200,000 sq m (2,152,782 sq ft), costing $450 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-34906608|title= New Jaguar Land Rover jobs in Wolverhampton factory expansion|author=BBC News|date= 24 November 2015|accessdate= 14 May 2016}}</ref> This expansion would see the workforce double from 700 to 1,400.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/business-news/jobs-boost-jaguar-land-rover-10492832|title=Jobs boost as Jaguar Land Rover doubles size of engine plant|author= Birmingham Post|date=11 November 2015|accessdate= 15 May 2016}}</ref> '''Goodyear''' [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] opened a large factory on Stafford Road, [[Fordhouses]], in 1927. However, it was decided in December 2003 that tyre production at the plant would be discontinued with the loss of more than 400 jobs. This came after some 2,000 job losses at the plant since 1997. The end of production came in 2004 but the factory remains open for tyre moulding and tractor tyre production.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/3339551.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Job losses at Goodyear | date=22 December 2003}}</ref> ===Tallest buildings=== [[File:Victoria Halls, Wolverhampton.JPG|thumb|Victoria Halls (Building 1), the tallest building in Wolverhampton at 75m (246ft)]] {{See also|List of tallest buildings and structures in Wolverhampton}} {| cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0 1em 1em 0; font-size: 90%;" |- style="background:#ccc;" !Rank||Building||Use||Height||Floors||Built|| |- | 1 | Victoria Halls (Building 1) | Residential | {{convert|246|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 25 | 2009 |- style="background:#efefef;" | 2= | Brockfield House | Residential | {{convert|203|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 22 | 1969 |- | 2= | Hampton View | Residential | {{convert|203|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 22 | 1969 |- style="background:#efefef;" | 4= | St. Cecilias | Residential | {{convert|184|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 20 | 1970 |- | 4= | Wodensfield Tower | Residential | {{convert|184|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 20 | 1966 |- style="background:#efefef;" | 4= | William Bentley Court | Residential | {{convert|184|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 20 | 1966 |- | 4= | Longfield House | Residential | {{convert|184|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 20 | 1969 |- style="background:#efefef;" | 4= | Campion House | Residential | {{convert|184|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 20 | 1969 |- | 9 | St. Luke's Church | Church | {{convert|171|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | | 1861 |- style="background:#efefef;" | 10 | Pennwood Court | Residential | {{convert|151|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | 17 | 1968 |} ===Regeneration=== In recent years, Wolverhampton City Council have embarked on many city improvements and regeneration schemes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/business/regeneration/city_centre/ |title=City centre improvememnts |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council|date=13 July 2012 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> One such project was "Summer Row", a new £300 million retail quarter for Wolverhampton city centre. The project would have involved clearing existing buildings, and in 2006 a [[compulsory purchase order]] was issued to over 200 owner / occupiers in the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsrsurveyors.co.uk/news/COMPULSORY-PURCHASE.pdf |title=Towler Shaw Roberts, "Compulsory Purchase (or an Englishman's home is not his castle)" |format=PDF |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> Construction of Summer Row was originally earmarked for 2008, with a completion date listed as 2010,<ref>[http://www.summer-row.co.uk/scheme.aspx Summer Row official website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518001222/http://www.summer-row.co.uk/scheme.aspx |date=18 May 2009 }}</ref> but the 2008 recession put the project on hold. In January 2011, the Summer Row project was officially declared dead<ref>{{cite web|author=Lou&#039;s Women |url=http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/01/25/wolverhamptons-summer-row-dream-is-over/ |title=Wolverhampton's Summer Row dream is over|work=Express & Star|date=25 January 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> as the government permission for the compulsory purchase order expiry date rolled round without the council having found the necessary financial backing for the project. '''Mander Centre Redevelopment''' [[Debenhams]], who were listed as the anchor store of Summer Row, announced they were still keen in opening a department store in Wolverhampton. It was revealed they would open an anchor store in a £35 million redevelopment of the [[Mander Centre]]. To be completed in 2017, the 90,000 sq.ft store would create 120 jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressandstar.com/business/2014/06/16/120-jobs-on-way-at-new-wolverhampton-debenhams/ |title=120 jobs on way at new Wolverhampton Debenhams |publisher= Express & Star |accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref> The redevelopment will also see the Mander Centre be fully refurbished and reconfigured. A number of larger stores will be created, replacing smaller ones. The reconfiguration will see the relocation of the toilets, escalators and elevators. The lower Central arcade will be removed and Tesco and TJ Hughes will be demolished to make way for the 3-storey Debenhams store.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/01/27/35m-mander-centre-revamp-gets-underway/ |title=£35m Mander Centre revamp gets underway |publisher=Express & Star |accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref> '''Wolverhampton Interchange Project''' Wolverhampton's Interchange Project is a major redevelopment of the city's east side area worth around £120 million. [[File:Wolverhampton i10.JPG|thumb|The i10 building contains 12,400 sq.ft of leisure and retail space on the ground floor and 36,000 sq.ft of office space above]] * Phase 1, which was completed in 2012, consisted of demolishing the old bus station and replacing it with a new £22.5 million station. This phase also included a new footbridge across the ring road towards the railway station, highway and pedestrian works, new offices for [[Transport for West Midlands|Centro]] and a [[Sainsbury's]] convenience store.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mowbraygill.co.uk/?p=262 |title=Wolverhampton – The Interchange |publisher=Mowbray Gill |accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref> * Phase 2 which was completed in late 2015, involved the construction of the £10.6 million i10 building adjacent to the new bus station. The building contains 12,400 sq.ft of leisure and retail space on the ground floor and 36,000 sq.ft of office space above.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/article/3805/Interchange-project-moves-forward |title=Interchange project moves forward |publisher=City of Wolverhampton Council |accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref> * Phase 3 began in early 2016 on expanding the train station's [[multi-storey car park]]. To be completed by December 2016, the car park will increase in capacity from 450 to over 800 spaces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/03/01/vision-revealed-as-multi-million-pound-wolverhampton-train-station-revamp-begins/ |title=Vision revealed as multi-million pound Wolverhampton train station revamp begins |publisher=Express & Star |accessdate=8 March 2016}}</ref> The expansion of the multi-storey car park will include a new cycle and motorcycle parking, short stay parking, passenger drop off point and a taxi rank adjacent to the car park. A new entrance will be created.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/731954-crucial-phase-begins-on-120m-interchange-scheme.html |title=Crucial phase begins on £120m Interchange scheme |publisher=The Business Desk |accessdate=8 March 2016}}</ref> ==Transport== ===Road=== Wolverhampton city centre forms the main focal point for the road network within the northwestern part of the [[West Midlands conurbation]], and out into the rural hinterland of [[Staffordshire]] and [[Shropshire]]. The road network within the boundaries of the city council area is entirely maintained by [[Wolverhampton City Council]], whilst those parts of the urban area outside the city council area have their networks maintained by [[Staffordshire County Council]], with the exception of [[M54 motorway|M54]] and [[A449 road|A449]] on the northern fringes of the urban area which are maintained by the [[Highways Agency]].<ref name=highwaysagency>{{cite web |url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/our-network/network-map/ |title=Our Road Network |publisher=Highways Agency |accessdate=27 March 2013}}</ref> [[File:Wolverhampton Ring Road.JPG|right|thumb|Wolverhampton's Ring Road]] Major historical improvements to the city's road network include [[Thomas Telford]]'s Holyhead Road (now part of [[A41 road|A41]]), which was constructed between 1819 and 1826 to improve communications between London and [[Holyhead]], and hence to Ireland. The majority of work within the city saw improvement to the contemporary network, though the both Wellington Road in [[Bilston]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/environment/land_premises/conservation/areas/Bilston+Town+Centre+Conservation+Area.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130113223908/http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/environment/land_premises/conservation/areas/Bilston+Town+Centre+Conservation+Area.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=13 January 2013 |title=Bilston Town Centre Conservation Area |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=27 March 2013 }}</ref> and the cutting at the Rock near [[Tettenhall]] were newly constructed for the road, although the improvements at The Rock were constructed by the local Turnpike Trust rather than Telford himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/listed/localist/TheRock.htm |title=The Rock, Tettenhall |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=27 March 2013}}</ref> In 1927, the [[A4123 road|A4123]] [[Birmingham]]-Wolverhampton New Road was constructed as both an unemployment relief project, and to relieve pressure on Telford's road through the [[Black Country]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sedgleymanor.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=topn&cat=0&pos=8 |title=Birmingham New Road circa 1927 |publisher=Sedgleymanor Photo Gallery |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> It was the first purpose built inter-city road in the United Kingdom within the 20th century,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lmars.co.uk/roadpix/a580/index.html |title=A580 East Lancashire Road |publisher=Lancashire Roads and Motorways Site |accessdate=24 July 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20070623230310/http://www.lmars.co.uk/roadpix/a580/index.html |archivedate=23 June 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and was said to be the longest stretch of new road in Britain since the [[Roman Empire|Romans]]. It took just three years to complete and cost £600,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/Media/75.pdf?MEDIA_ID=223058&FILENAME=75.pdf | format=PDF |title=Forward | publisher=Birmingham City Council |accessdate=24 July 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080609124804/http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/Media/75.pdf?MEDIA_ID=223058&FILENAME=75.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 9 June 2008}}</ref> Also in 1927, the first automatic [[traffic light]]s in the United Kingdom were installed in Princes Square in the city centre.<ref name="Wolverhampton City Council"/> Princes Square was also the location of the United Kingdom's first pedestrian safety barriers, which were erected in 1934.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Engineering/Steelway/History.htm |title=Steelway Limited |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=24 December 2012}}</ref> In 1960, plans were announced to build a [[Wolverhampton Ring Road|Ring Road]] around the centre of Wolverhampton. By the end of the 1960s, more than half of the Ring Road had been completed, stretching from Snow Hill to Stafford Street (via Penn Road, Chapel Ash and Waterloo Road), followed a few years later by a section between Snow Hill and Bilston Street. However, the final section between Bilston Street and Stafford Street (via Wednesfield Road) was not completed until 1986. [[File:M54Motorway2.jpg|right|thumb|The M54 motorway to the northwest of the city]] Wolverhampton is near to several motorways, with four being located within {{convert|7|mi|km|0}} of the city centre. The first to be constructed in the area was the [[M6 motorway|M6]], which opened in sections between 1966 and 1970,<ref name=tma>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.org/motorway/openings.htm |title=Opening dates for Motorways in the UK in chronological order |publisher=The Motorway Archive |accessdate=17 June 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202063942/http://www.iht.org/motorway/openings.htm |archivedate=2 December 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref> and connects the city with the north-west of England (including [[Manchester]] and [[Liverpool]]), [[Scotland]] as well as [[Birmingham]] and [[Coventry]] to the east, and London via the [[M1 motorway|M1]]. Together with the [[M5 motorway|M5]], which opened in the area in 1970<ref name=tma/> and links the city with the south-west of England, and London via the [[M40 motorway|M40]], the two motorways form a north-south bypass for the city. The section of M6 motorway nearest to the city is one of the busiest within the UK,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=457&Itemid=35 |title=UK'S Congestion Hotspots Revealed |publisher=RAC Foundation |accessdate=15 December 2008}}</ref> and to relieve congestion on this stretch, the [[M6 Toll]] which bypasses both the Wolverhampton and [[Birmingham]] sections of the M6 motorway was opened in 2003.<ref name=tma/> The [[M54 motorway]] forms a northern bypass to the city, passing just within the fringes of the urban area, and links the city with [[Telford]], [[Shrewsbury]] and [[Wales]]. It opened in 1983.<ref name=tma/> In addition to the motorways presently constructed, there have also been several proposed near to the city that have not been constructed, or have been constructed to a lower standard. Included within these are the ''Bilston Link Motorway'', which was first proposed in the 1960s and was eventually constructed to a lower standard in the 1980s as the [[A454 road|A454]]/[[A463 road|A463]] [[Black Country Route]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pathetic.org.uk/unbuilt/bilston_link_motorway/ |publisher=Pathetic Motorways |title=Bilston Link Motorway |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> and the ''Western Orbital'' or ''Wolverhampton Western Bypass'', which was first proposed in the 1970s as a bypass for the western side of the city and the wider [[Black Country]] conurbation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pathetic.org.uk/unbuilt/western_orbital/ |title=Western Orbital |publisher=Pathetic Motorways |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> Currently proposed by the [[Highways Agency]] is the ''M54 to M6 / M6 (Toll) Link Road''. The route was initially proposed in the 2000s to relieve the overloaded sections of [[A460 road|A460]] and [[A449 road|A449]] near the city, and to replace a section of the cancelled Western Orbital. Whilst it appears in the current roads programme, a date for the start of construction has not been set.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/11814.aspx |title=M54 to M6 / M6 (Toll) Link Road |publisher=Highways Agency |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> ===Rail=== Wolverhampton's first railway opened in 1837, with the opening of the [[Grand Junction Railway]], the first long-distance line in Great Britain. The main station for the city was, however, not located in the city centre, but at [[Wednesfield Heath railway station|Wednesfield Heath]], now [[Heath Town]] on the east side of the city.<ref name="Virgin Trains"/> This station was considered to be a First Class station, though its location was obviously not ideal and it became a goods station after passenger services ceased in 1873. The station buildings were demolished in 1965, but the main station area is now a nature reserve just off Powell Street, called Station Fields and part of the edge of the northbound platform is still in situ. The track running through the station site is, however, still in use.<ref name="Heath Town Station"/> [[File:Wolverhampton station.jpg|right|thumb|[[Wolverhampton railway station]]]] The first station in the city centre was opened by the [[Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway]] in 1849. This station was only intended to be temporary, and was located on the north side of Wednesfield Road beside Broad Street Basin. The station was constructed as the opening of [[Wolverhampton railway station|Wolverhampton High Level]] was delayed. The station closed in 1852, and was demolished in the mid-1970s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/railways/tmpsta.htmn.htm |title=Temporary Station |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref> In addition to the temporary station, [[Wolverhampton railway works]] were also established in 1849 by the [[Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway]] and became the Northern Division workshop of the [[Great Western Railway]] in 1854.<ref name="manufacturing" /> The permanent station on the line finally opened on 24 June 1852, and was initially known as ''Wolverhampton General'', before being renamed as ''Wolverhampton Queen Street'' in 1853, and finally [[Wolverhampton railway station|Wolverhampton High Level]] in 1855. The station was initially a joint station between the [[Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway]] and the [[London and North Western Railway]], though there were problems in the relationships between the two companies, and the station became solely LNWR in 1854 before the [[Wolverhampton and Walsall Railway]] (later part of the [[Midland Railway]]) gained access to the station in 1867. The original High Level station was demolished in 1965 as part of the electification of the [[West Coast Mainline]], and was replaced by the current buildings on the site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/railways/high%20level.htm |title=High Level Station |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref> Two years after the opening of the High Level station, the [[Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway]] opened their city centre station immediately to the east of High Level. Initially called ''Wolverhampton Joint'', it was renamed [[Wolverhampton Low Level railway station|Wolverhampton Low Level]] in 1856. As well as the OWW, the station also served the [[Birmingham Snow Hill railway station|Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton Low Level Line|Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Dudley Railway]] and the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway. As the first two companies were supported by the [[Great Western Railway]], [[broad gauge]] track was laid to the station, meaning that Wolverhampton Low Level became the most northerly station on the broad gauge network before being converted to standard gauge in 1869. Despite being featured in the second [[Beeching Report]], ''The Development of the Major Railway Trunk Routes'' in February 1965 as being on a line earmarked for further investment, services were withdrawn progressively from Low Level starting in 1967 soon after it had been transferred administratively from the [[Western Region of British Railways]] to the [[London Midland Region of British Railways|London Midland region]]. London services were transferred to the newly-electrified High Level station. Low Level was converted into a Parcels Concentration Depot in 1970, and the final passenger services were withdrawn in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/railways/Low%20Level.htm |title=Low Level Station |publisher=Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref> These services (to and from [[Birmingham Snow Hill railway station|Birmingham Snow Hill]]) were only suspended and never legally withdrawn by [[British Rail]], and so technically the station is still open.<ref>{{cite journal | title = Regional News: Wolverhampton | journal = [[RAIL (magazine)|Rail]] | date = 21 March – 3 April 2012 | first = Howard | last = Johnston | issue = 692 | page = 24| id = | accessdate = 24 March 2012}}</ref> [[File:Dunstall Park station geograph-2516514-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|left|Dunstall Park railway station in 1958]] There were also a number of suburban stations in Wolverhampton – including [[Dunstall Park railway station|Dunstall Park]] and [[Bushbury railway station|Bushbury]] north of the city centre; [[Tettenhall railway station|Tettenhall]] and [[Compton Halt railway station|Compton]] to the west side of the city on the GWR's [[Wombourne Branch Line]]; [[Wednesfield railway station|Wednesfield]] and [[Heath Town railway station|Heath Town]] on the [[Wolverhampton and Walsall Railway]]; [[Portobello railway station|Portobello]] on the [[Walsall to Wolverhampton Line]]; [[Priestfield railway station|Priestfield]] and [[Bilston Central railway station|Bilston Central]] on the [[Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton Low Level Line]]; and [[Bilston West railway station|Bilston West]] and [[Daisy Bank railway station|Daisy Bank]] on the [[Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway|Oxford-Worcester-Wolverhampton Line]]. Today, all of the suburban rail stations within the city have been closed, although [[Coseley railway station|Coseley]], [[Codsall railway station|Codsall]] and [[Bilbrook railway station|Bilbrook]] are just outside the boundaries. The former High Level station, now simply known as ''[[Wolverhampton railway station|Wolverhampton station]]'' is today one of the major stations on the [[West Coast Main Line]]. It has regular rail services to [[London Euston railway station|London Euston]], [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] and [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]], as well as most other major cities in the UK. In addition to the long-distance services, there are many local services, including those on the [[Cambrian Line]] into [[Wales]], the [[Walsall to Wolverhampton Line]] to [[Walsall railway station|Walsall]], the [[Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line]] to [[Telford railway station|Telford]] and [[Shrewsbury railway station|Shrewsbury]]; and the [[Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line]] to [[Stafford railway station|Stafford]] and [[Coventry railway station|Coventry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/dep/WVH |title=Live Departures – Wolverhampton |publisher=National Rail Enquiries |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/WVH/details.html |title=Wolverhampton (WVH) |publisher=National Rail Enquiries |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref> The 1960s buildings of the station are proposed for redevelopment, with the main station buildings being demolished in a project called Wolverhampton Interchange.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wolverhamptoninterchange.co.uk/ |title=Wolverhampton Interchange |publisher=Neptune Developments |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref> It was due to open in 2012,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expressandstar.com/2006/10/18/all-change-at-station/ |title=All change at station |work=[[Express & Star]] |author=Becky Sharpe |date=18 October 2006 |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> but work has been delayed whilst funding is sought.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/04/21/government-rejects-wolverhampton-station-funding-plea/ |title=Government Rejects Wolverhampton Station Funding Plea |work=[[Express & Star]] |author=Becky Sharpe |date=21 April 2011 |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref> ===Buses=== {{main article|Wolverhampton bus station}} Buses in the city are run commercially by a number of bus operators, the largest provider of services is [[National Express West Midlands]]. As well as serving suburbs of the city, buses from the centre of Wolverhampton also provide a direct link with the city of [[Birmingham]] and connections to [[Walsall]], [[Telford]], [[West Bromwich]], [[Stourbridge]], [[Cannock]], [[Stafford]], [[Sedgley]], [[Bilston]], [[Bloxwich]], [[Bridgnorth]] & [[Dudley]]. The city's bus station operated by [[Transport for West Midlands]] is situated at Piper's Row, near to the railway station, providing an interchange between the two modes of transport. The station has recently had a complete rebuild. Its previous Piper's Row incarnation opened on 26 October 1986, just six years after its predecessor of 1981.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wulfrun |first=Lady |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/8050359@N07/2497493714/ |title=Wolverhampton's second, but short-lived Bus Station (off Railway Drive), 1981. &#124; Flickr – Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |date=20 January 2012 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> The station underwent a further upgrade in 1990 which saw the grade II listed [[Queen's Building, Wolverhampton|Queen's Building]] incorporated into the bus station. A mild refurbishment took place in 2005/06 with new toilets and the addition of a coach stand. In July 2009 plans were unveiled for a complete rebuild of the bus station, which was part of Wolverhampton's Interchange Project. The bus station closed in April 2010 and was subsequently demolished. A £22.5 million station opened in July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lou&#039;s Women |url=http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/06/21/glowing-future-for-wolverhampton-bus-station/ |title=Glowing future for Wolverhampton bus station |work=Express & Star|date=21 June 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> ====Bilston Bus Station==== [[File:Bilston Bus Station - geograph.org.uk - 236260.jpg|thumb|right]] '''Bilston bus station''' is a small bus interchange located in Bilston Town Centre, Wolverhampton. It opened in 1991 as a new bus station to serve the town of Bilston and became an interchange on 31 May 1999 when the Midland Metro service opened on the adjacent railway line that had been disused since the end of 1982. Around 22 bus services operated by 11 operators serve the station which is a short, walkable distance from [[Bilston Central Metro Station|Bilston Central]] [[Midland Metro]] Station, which links the town to [[Birmingham]], [[West Bromwich]], [[Wednesbury]] and Wolverhampton. The station is built around a large square building which features a shop. ===Metro=== {{main article|Midland Metro}} [[File:Midland Metro tram no. 20 on display at St. Georges, Bilston Street, Wolverhampton, geograph-4028311-by-P-L-Chadwick.jpg|right|thumb|The new replacement Urbos 3 trams]] The Midland Metro, a [[light rail]] system, currently connects [[Wolverhampton St George's tram stop|Wolverhampton St. George's]] to [[Birmingham Snow Hill station]] via [[West Bromwich]] and [[Wednesbury]], mostly following the former [[Birmingham Snow Hill-Wolverhampton Low Level Line]]. There are plans for further lines within the city, with both a city centre loop and a line to [[Walsall]] via [[Wednesfield]] and [[Willenhall]], mostly following the route of the closed [[Wolverhampton and Walsall Railway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centro.org.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=1826&sID=4319 |title=The 5Ws Route |publisher=Centro |format=PDF |accessdate=17 June 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2014/15, Centro announced in a £40 million deal, they would be replacing the entire fleet of the 16 T69 trams with 21 [[Midland Metro rolling stock#Urbos 3|Urbos 3 trams]]. The new Urbos 3 trams are 9 metres longer; at 33 metres, with the ability of carrying 210 passengers, compared to the 156 from the T69.<ref name=TRE>{{cite news |title=CAF trams for Midland Metro Expansion Project |url= http://www.therailengineer.com/2013/05/03/caf-trams-for-midland-metro-expansion-project/ |work=The Rail Engineer |location= Coalville |date= 3 May 2013 |author= Rackley, Stuart |accessdate=19 November 2013}}</ref> Additionally with the upgraded trams, Wolverhampton's Metro Line will be expanded. As part of the Wolverhampton Interchange Project; the Metro line would be extended from [[Wolverhampton St George's tram stop|Wolverhampton St. George's]] to [[Wolverhampton railway station]], creating one stop at [[Wolverhampton bus station|Wolverhampton Bus Station]] and subsequently ending at the railway station. It is scheduled to be operational by 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://centro.org.uk/transport/metro/other-metro-extensions/wolverhampton-extension/wolverhampton-extension-may/the-details/|title=The Details|author=Centro|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> ===Air=== Wolverhampton's original airport was at [[Pendeford]], opened in 1938 and closed on 31 December 1970.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/Pendeford/Airport.htm |title=The Airport and Boulton Paul |work=The History of Pendeford |publisher=Wolverhampton History & Heritage Society |author=Phil Clayton |date=February 2004 |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> The current [[Wolverhampton Airport]], renamed from Halfpenny Green, is a small general aviation airfield located {{convert|8|mi|km|1}} southwest of the city. Expansion of the airport has been suggested, but this has been successfully resisted by local residents. The nearest major airport is [[Birmingham International Airport (UK)|Birmingham International Airport]], approximately {{convert|25|mi|km|1}} away. The airport is easy to reach by train, with a direct express service to it. By car, it can actually sometimes be quicker to reach [[Manchester Airport]] instead, due to traffic delays on the M6 eastbound motorway towards Birmingham International. ===Waterways=== {{main article|Birmingham Canal Navigations}} There are no navigable rivers within the city, but there are {{convert|17|mi|km|abbr=on}} of navigable canals. The [[BCN Main Line|Birmingham Canal Main Line]] passes through the city centre, connecting with the remaining portion of the [[Wednesbury Oak Loop]] at Deepfields Junction, and the [[Wyrley & Essington Canal]] at [[Horseley Fields Junction]], before passing between [[Wolverhampton railway station|the railway station]] and [[Wolverhampton bus station|the bus station]] in the city centre and then descending 132 feet (40m) through the 21 Wolverhampton Locks and terminating at [[Aldersley Junction]] where it meets the [[Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal]], which in turn connects with the [[Shropshire Union Canal]] at [[Autherley Junction]].<ref>[[Nicholson Guides|Nicholson Waterways Guide]], Volume 2 (2006), Harper Collins Publishing Ltd, {{ISBN|0-00-721110-4}}</ref> ===Cycling=== Most places in the borough and some of the neighbouring villages in South Staffordshire are within easy reach of the city centre by pedal cycle and terrain is moderately hilly. Climbs tend to be of two to three minutes duration. Cycling benefits from the {{convert|20|mph|km/h|0}} city centre within the Ring Road and a number of routes that use quieter roads and paths to avoid the ten 'A' roads that radiate from the Ring Road. Wolverhampton is on the Smethwick to Telford section of [[Sustrans]] [[National Cycle Network]] Route 81.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1099911816156 |title=strans Route 81 |publisher=Sustrans |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> This follows the [[BCN Main Line|Birmingham Main Line Canal]] towpath from [[Smethwick]] to Broad Street Basin, Wolverhampton where the route splits in two. The choice here is between riding the 21 locks section of the [[BCN Main Line|Birmingham Main Line Canal]] to Aldersley Junction or taking the Cross-City route braid to visit the city centre, [[West Park, Wolverhampton|West Park]] or [[Smestow Valley Leisure Ride]] before returning to Aldersley Junction. NCN81 continues to Autherley Junction along the towpath of the [[Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal]] and then along the east bank towpath of the [[Shropshire Union Canal]] as far as Pendeford Mill Lane before turning to [[Bilbrook, Staffordshire|Bilbrook]] in Staffordshire. The lanes of nearby South Staffordshire and east Shropshire provide ideal cycle touring conditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sRegion=The_Midlands&map.x=-2.12099658260843&map.y=52.5904259392369&bLarge=&nZoom=3 |title=Cycle routes in Wolverhampton |publisher=Sustrans |accessdate=24 July 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114154831/http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sRegion=The_Midlands&map.x=-2.12099658260843&map.y=52.5904259392369&bLarge=&nZoom=3 |archivedate=14 January 2009 }}</ref> ==Culture== ===Music=== The rock groups [[Slade]], [[Sahotas]], [[Cornershop (band)|Cornershop]], [[The Mighty Lemon Drops]] and [[Babylon Zoo]] came from Wolverhampton, as do [[electronic music]]ian [[Bibio]], [[soul music|soul]]/[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer [[Beverley Knight]], [[drum and bass]] guru [[Goldie]], [[roots reggae]] maestro [[Macka B]]. [[Kevin Rowland]] of [[Dexys Midnight Runners]] was born in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. [[Hip Hop]] music producer S-X who has worked with [[T.I.]], [[J. Cole]], [[Birdman (rapper)|Birdman]] & [[Lil Wayne]] was born and raised and still lives in Wolverhampton. In 2010, Wolverhampton-born singer [[Liam Payne]] came third in the British television music show ''[[The X Factor (UK series 7)|The X Factor]]'' with his boy band [[One Direction]], who in March 2012 became the first British group to go straight to the top of the [[Billboard 200|US music charts]] with their debut album, ''[[Up All Night (One Direction album)|Up All Night]]''. Wolverhampton has a number of live music venues; the largest occasionally used being the [[Association football|football]] ground, [[Molineux Stadium]], which was used for a [[Bon Jovi]] concert in 2003,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/music/2003/06/bon_jovi/bon_jovi.shtml |title=BBC Black Country music |publisher=BBC |accessdate=3 November 2007}}</ref> but the biggest indoor venue regularly used is [[Wolverhampton Civic Hall]], with a standing capacity of 3,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolvescivic.co.uk/index.asp?loc=venues&venueid=1&subnav=tech |title=Wolves Civic details |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> Second to that is Wulfrun Hall (part of the same complex as the Civic Hall, which is owned and operated by the City Council) which has a standing capacity of just over 1,100.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safeconcerts.com/safe-concerts-venues-details.asp?vurn=128 |title=Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall Information |publisher=[[Safeconcerts]] |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> The Civic Halls complex also has a newer venue, The Slade Rooms (named after the 1970s rock band), which has a capacity of approximately 550 standing. There are also a number of smaller venues with capacities of between 100 and 250, although the longest-established of these, the Wolverhampton Varsity, is now closed, as is the Little Civic. Other venues include the Light Bar in Fryer Street, the 'Numa Bar' and the Dog & Doublet (next to the old Little Civic), although the situation in this area of entertainment remains fluid. The 18th-century [[St John's Church, Wolverhampton|St John's Church]] is a popular venue for smaller scale classical concerts. The city is also home to Regent Records, a choral and organ music recording company, and Wolf Town DIY, an independent record label that primarily releases punk and alternative music by underground artists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wolftowndiy.limitedrun.com/about |title=Wolf Town DIY website |accessdate=11 June 2015}}</ref> The Midland Box Office is the primary sales point for most of Wolverhampton's venues and is situated in Queen Square, it is manned by a small team of dedicated and enthusiastic staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regent-records.co.uk/contact_us.htm |title=Regent Records: Contact Us |accessdate=23 September 2008}}</ref> The city's main choral groups include the City of Wolverhampton Choir,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofwolverhamptonchoir.org.uk/ |title=City of Wolverhampton Choir |accessdate=23 September 2008}}</ref> (a choral society founded as the Wolverhampton Civic Choir in 1947) and the Choir of [[St. Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton|St. Peter's Collegiate Church]]. ===Arts and museums=== The City is currently hosting its largest ever arts event - "Wolves in Wolves". Between July and September 2017, the City has 30 huge wolf statues decorating its streets, parks and buildings along a "wolf Trail". Each Wolf has been uniquely decorated by both local and visiting international artists, the project being fully sponsored by local businesses, charities and public sponsors. The event is the brainchild of City of Wolverhampton Council employee Manor Singh who has also assisted in the project delivery. Visit the Wolves in Wolves website http://wolvesinwolves.co.uk/ The [[Wolverhampton Grand Theatre|Grand Theatre]] on Lichfield Street is Wolverhampton's largest theatre, opening on 10 December 1894. It was designed by [[Charles J. Phipps|C. J. Phipps]] and completed within six months. Included amongst the people to have appeared at the theatre are [[Henry Irving]], [[Charlie Chaplin]] and [[Sean Connery]]. It was also used by politicians including [[Winston Churchill]] and [[David Lloyd George]]. The theatre was closed between 1980 and 1982.<ref>[http://new.grandtheatre.info/default.asp?Id=308&sC=page48 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207145507/http://new.grandtheatre.info/default.asp?Id=308&sC=page48 |date=7 December 2008 }}</ref> The [[Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton|Arena Theatre]] on Wulfruna Street, within the [[University of Wolverhampton]] is the secondary theatre, seating 150. It hosts both professional and amateur performances.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arena.wlv.ac.uk/about.htm |title=About the Arena Theatre |publisher=University of Wolverhampton |accessdate=15 December 2008}}</ref> Cinema is catered for by a multiplex [[Cineworld]] located at [[Bentley Bridge]], [[Wednesfield]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/69/ |title=Cineworld Wolverhampton |publisher=Cineworld Cinemas |accessdate=15 December 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217214613/http://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/69 |archivedate=17 December 2008 }}</ref> and a smaller cinema, [[Light House Media Centre]], housed in the former [[Chubb Locks|Chubb Buildings]] on Fryer Street.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.light-house.co.uk/ |title=Light House |publisher=Light House Media Centre |accessdate=25 July 2008}}</ref> Cineworld caters mainly for popular tastes, showing [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] films and other big-budget films as well as some [[Bollywood]] films whilst Light House shows a range of older and subtitled films as well as some selected new releases. Light House has also played host to visual art shows, an [[Flip Animation Festival|International Animation Festival]] and incorporates a small café. [[File:Wolverhampton Art Gallery 2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Wolverhampton Art Gallery]] The City's Arts & Museums service, run by the council, covers three sites: [[Wolverhampton Art Gallery]], home to England's biggest [[Pop art]] collection after that held at the [[Tate]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/wolves/exhibitions/002876.html |title=Exhibitions at Wolverhampton Art Gallery |publisher=Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service |accessdate=3 November 2007}}</ref> [[Bantock House Museum and Park|Bantock House]], a fine historic house with Edwardian interior with a museum of Wolverhampton located within Bantock Park;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/bantock |title=Bantock House and Museum |publisher=Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> [[Bilston Craft Gallery]] with exhibitions of contemporary crafts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/bilston |title=Bilston Craft Gallery |publisher=Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> The [[Black Country Living Museum]], situated in nearby [[Dudley]], has a large collection of artefacts and buildings from across the [[Black Country]], including an extensive collection associated with the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bclm.co.uk/whatis.htm |title=What is the Black Country |publisher=Black Country Living Museum |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> [[Eagle Works Studios and Gallery]] situated in [[Chapel Ash]], is a self run artists' group. It provides studio accommodation for eighteen visual artists, mostly painters. Its small gallery holds a regular programme of exhibitions to show and promote contemporary art in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/content/articles/2005/12/07/eagle_works_1_introduction_feature.shtml |title=An Introduction to Eagle Works |publisher=BBC Black Country |accessdate=25 July 2008}}</ref> The [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] owns two properties on the edge of the city that are open to the public: [[Wightwick Manor]], which is a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[manor house]] and one of only a few surviving examples of a house built and furnished under the influence of the [[Arts and Crafts movement]],<ref name=greeves>{{cite book|last=Greeves |first=Lydia |title=History and Landscape: The Guide to National Trust Properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland |page=429 |publisher=National Trust Books |year=2005 |isbn=1-905400-13-6}}</ref> and [[Moseley Old Hall]], which is famous as one of the resting places of [[Charles II of England]] during his [[Escape of Charles II|escape to France]] following defeat at the [[Battle of Worcester]] in 1651.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-moseleyoldhall.htm |title=Moseley Old Hall |publisher=National Trust |accessdate=29 August 2008}}</ref> [[English Heritage]] owns [[Boscobel House]], within [[Shropshire]], another refuge of Charles II.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.16650 |title=Boscobel House |publisher=English Heritage |accessdate=9 December 2008}}</ref> Nearby museums also include the [[Royal Air Force Museum]], at [[DCAE Cosford|RAF Cosford]] and the RAF Fire Service Museum at [[Wolverhampton Airport]].,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf-fireservicemuseum.org/location.htm |title=Museum Location |publisher=RAF Fire Service Museum |accessdate=29 August 2008}}</ref> whilst [[Chillington Hall]], which boasts of grounds designed by [[Capability Brown]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chillingtonhall.co.uk/ |title=Chillington Hall |publisher=Chillington Hall |accessdate=9 December 2008}}</ref> and [[Himley Hall]] are nearby examples of houses open to the public. ===Libraries=== [[File:Wolverhampton Central Library.jpg|right|thumb|Wolverhampton Central Library]] Located on the corner of Garrick Street and St George's Parade, Wolverhampton Central Library is a [[listed building|Grade II listed building]], designed by architect Henry T. Hare and opened in 1902. It was originally commissioned to commemorate [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria's]] Diamond Jubilee using funds raised by the Mayor, Alderman S Craddock, and by a grant of £1,000 from [[Andrew Carnegie]]. This new library improved public access to information and reading material, replacing its cramped predecessor in the old Garrick Street Police Station.<ref name="library">{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/libraries/central_library/history.htm |title=History of Central Library |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> The terracotta exterior has a tripartite theme of related, but distinct façades. The entrance façade is the architect's centrepiece and is decorated with a frieze under the triple window which carries the Royal Coat of Arms and the Wolverhampton Coat of Arms. The other two façades celebrate English literary giants; [[Geoffrey Chaucer|Chaucer]], [[John Dryden|Dryden]], [[Alexander Pope|Pope]], [[Percy Bysshe Shelley|Shelley]], [[George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron|Byron]] and [[Edmund Spenser|Spenser]] on one side and [[John Milton|Milton]] and [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] on the other.<ref name="library"/> An extension for a newsroom and a students' room was added in 1936 followed by a small brick and concrete extension at the rear in the 1970s.<ref name="library"/> Wolverhampton City Council also operate 14 branch libraries within the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/libraries/branch/|title=Branch Libraries |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> ===Media=== Wolverhampton is home to the ''[[Express & Star]]'' newspaper, which boasts of having the largest circulation of any provincial daily evening newspaper in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expressandstar.com/about-us/|title=About Us |work=Express & Star |accessdate=9 September 2008}}</ref> Parent company [[Midland News Association]] is based in Wolverhampton. The city is home to three radio stations: the community radio station [[WCR FM]] which broadcasts solely to the city, whilst The Wolf and Beacon Radio have been absorbed into regional stations [[Signal 107]] and [[Free Radio Shropshire & Black Country|Free Radio]] respectively, though both still broadcast from their studios in the city. In December 2005, the BBC commissioned the poet [[Ian McMillan (poet)|Ian McMillan]] to write a poem about Wolverhampton, along with four other towns which apparently "had a reputation they didn't deserve".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/4528566.stm |title=Talk of the Town: And the winner is... |publisher=BBC News |date=19 December 2005 |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> ==Education== [[File:University of Wolverhampton.jpg|left|thumb|University of Wolverhampton]] {{See also|List of schools in Wolverhampton}} The [[University of Wolverhampton]] is the main provider of higher education in the city. The university currently has more than 23,000 students. In 1835, the Wolverhampton Mechanics' Institute was founded, and its lineage can be traced via the Wolverhampton and Staffordshire Technical College (1935), to The Polytechnic, Wolverhampton (1969) to today's [[University of Wolverhampton]], given university status in 1992. The main university campus is in the city centre, with other campuses at [[Compton, Wolverhampton|Compton]], and in the nearby towns of [[Walsall]] and [[Telford]]. [[Wolverhampton Grammar School]] was founded in 1512, making it one of the oldest active schools in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Wolverhampton Grammar School |url=http://www.wolverhamptongrammarschool.com/pages/prospective/history.aspx |publisher=Wolverhampton Grammar School |accessdate=25 July 2008}}</ref> Old boys include [[Mervyn King (economist)|Mervyn King]], Governor of the [[Bank of England]] since July 2003, and [[David Wright (diplomat)|Sir David Wright]], former British Ambassador to Japan. [[Wolverhampton Girls' High School]] is a well known selective school which has produced top of league table results within Wolverhampton.<ref>{{cite news |title=School League Tables, 2004 for Wolverhampton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/03/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/336.stm |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=25 July 2008}}</ref> Notable old girls include the former English Women's Cricket Captain [[Rachael Heyhoe-Flint]] and [[Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman|Baroness Hayman]], first [[Lord Speaker]] of the [[House of Lords]], as well as Georgia Elwiss, a member of the current 2015 women's cricket team. St Peter's Collegiate School was founded in 1847 in buildings adjacent to S. Peter's Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton town centre. It moved to the present extensive green site at Compton Park in 1965. S. Peter's is the oldest established educational institution currently in the state sector in Wolverhampton, with a tradition of academic, cultural and sporting excellence nourished by Christian spiritual and moral values. Previous students include record breaking goal scoring footballer [[Arthur Rowley]] and Ben Godfrey, a TV presenter and reporter on [[Midlands Today]]. Other notably historic schools include [[The Royal Wolverhampton School]] (founded in 1850),<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Wolverhampton School |url=http://www.isscc.com/detail.php?schoolid=895 |publisher=ISSCC |accessdate=25 July 2008}}</ref> and [[Tettenhall College]] (1863),<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the College |url=http://www.tettenhallcollege.co.uk/hist_about01.htm |publisher=Tettenhall College |accessdate=25 July 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080723225523/http://www.tettenhallcollege.co.uk/hist_about01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 23 July 2008}}</ref> which educated the winner of [[Nobel Prize for Chemistry]], Professor Sir [[Arthur Harden]]. [[City of Wolverhampton College]] is the main [[further education]] college in the city. Wolverhampton, unlike a number of nearby areas such as [[Dudley]] and [[South Staffordshire]], has always had traditional age range schools; 5–7 infants, 7–11 juniors and 11-16/18 secondary schools. Some secondary schools have sixth form facilities for children aged 16+. ==Sport== [[File:Molineux Ground, Wolverhampton.jpg|right|thumb|[[Molineux Stadium]], home of Wolverhampton Wanderers]] ===Football=== Wolverhampton is represented in the [[Football League Championship|Championship]], the second tier of English football, by [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.]] "Wolves", as they are known, are one of the oldest English football clubs, and were one of the 12 founder members of the [[Football League]]. Their most successful period was the 1950s, where they won three Football League Championships (then the highest division) and two [[FA Cup]]s, and were involved in the earliest European friendlies. They were hailed by the press as "The Unofficial World Champions" after one of their most famous victories, against [[Budapest Honvéd FC]] of Hungary. They were also the first English team to play in the Soviet Union. These victories instigated the birth of the European Cup competition which later evolved into the UEFA Champions' League (see [[European Cup and Champions League history]]). In total, they have won three Football League titles (prior to the top division becoming the [[Premier League]]), four FA Cups, have two [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] victories and many other minor honours, including reaching the [[UEFA Cup]] Final in 1972, and appearances in the last eight of both the [[UEFA Champions League|UEFA European Cup]], and the European [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]], but spent just one season in the top division between 1984 and 2009. They are also the only club to have won five different league titles; they have championed all four tiers of the professional English league, as well as the long-defunct northern section of the Third Division. Wolves have a long-established rivalry with [[West Bromwich Albion]]. Separated by {{convert|12|mi|km|abbr=on}}, the two clubs have faced each other over 160 times since 1886.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/head_to_head.sd?team_id=2744&team2_id=2848|title=Head to head West Brom vs. Wolves|author=soccerbase|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> [[Aston Villa]] and [[Birmingham City FC]] are also close rivals of Wolves, having played them 121<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/head_to_head.sd?team_id=2848&team2_id=154|title=Head to head Wolves vs. Aston Villa|author=soccerbase|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> and 136<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/head_to_head.sd?team_id=2848&team2_id=291|title=Head to head Wolves vs. Birmingham|author=soccerbase|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> times respectively. Geographically, [[Walsall FC]] are closest to Wolves, but rarely compete at the same level. Since 1886, the two clubs have only played 16 times against each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/head_to_head.sd?team_id=2848&team2_id=2737|title=Head to head Wolves vs. Walsall|author=soccerbase|accessdate=15 May 2016}}</ref> Several other Wolverhampton-based clubs play [[non-league]] football, notably [[AFC Wulfrunians]] in the [[Midland Football League]] Premier Division and [[Wolverhampton Casuals F.C.]], [[Wednesfield F.C.]], [[Wolverhampton Sporting Community F.C.]] and [[Bilston Town F.C.]] in the [[West Midlands (Regional) League]]. ===Athletics=== Wolverhampton's Aldersley Leisure Village is also home to [[Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club]], which was formed in 1967 with a merger between Wolverhampton Harriers and Bilston Town Athletic Club. They have won the National League Division One for men from 1975 to 1982, and the Men's National Cup finals in 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1980. It also represented Britain in the European Clubs Cup from 1976 to 1983 with the best finishing position of third.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolvesandbilstonac.co.uk/ |title=Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club |publisher=Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club |accessdate=18 June 2008}}</ref> Olympic Medallists in athletics [[Sonia Lannaman]] and [[Tessa Sanderson]] lived within the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/government_democracy/council/documents/news/press_releases/2006/october/301006d.htm |title=Newest Sporting Hall of Fame inductees |publisher=Wolverhampton City Council |date=30 October 2006 |accessdate=17 June 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404021514/http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/government_democracy/council/documents/news/press_releases/2006/october/301006d.htm|archivedate=4 April 2008}}</ref> ===Cycling=== Wolverhampton Wheelers is the city's oldest cycling club (formed in 1891), and was home to [[Hugh Porter]] who won four world championship pursuit titles; and [[Percy Stallard]] who has been credited with bringing cycle road racing to Britain when he held the Llangollen to Wolverhampton race on 7 June 1942.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/people/local/stallard_p |title=Percy Stallard |work=The History of Wolverhampton – The City and its People |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> Wolverhampton Wheelers make extensive use of the velodrome at Aldersley Stadium. Wolverhampton was also the home of [[Trevor Gadd]], who was a six time British National Cycle champion and two-time silver medallist at the [[1978 Commonwealth Games]], as well as a fifth-place finisher in the [[1977 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] in Venezuela. Wolverhampton has also hosted the [[Tour of Britain]], with a stage start in 2006, a stage finish in 2007 and a sprint finish in 2008. It is also home to Wednesfield Aces cycle speedway who are based on [[Ashmore Park]]. ===Horse and greyhound racing=== [[Wolverhampton Racecourse]] is located at Dunstall Park, just to the north of the city centre. This was one of the first all-weather [[horse racing]] courses in the UK and is Britain's only floodlit horse race track. There is also [[greyhound racing]] at Monmore Green. [[West Park, Wolverhampton|West Park]], a large park near the city centre, was converted from a racecourse. A horse by the name of [[1849 Grand National#Leading contenders|Wolverhampton]] was among the leading contenders for the [[1849 Grand National]] at [[Aintree]] but did not complete the course. ===Motor sports=== [[File:Sunbeam 1000HP.jpg|left|thumb|Sunbeam 1000HP at National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, UK]] [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company|Sunbeam]] built many early [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] cars and was the only British make to win a Grand Prix in the first half of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sunbeam.org.uk/Sunbeam.htm |title=Sunbeam – The Supreme Car |publisher=The Sunbeam Talbot Darracq Register |author=Colin Weyer |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> Sunbeam also built several holders of the [[Land speed record]], including the first vehicle to travel at over {{convert|200|mph|km/h|0}}, the [[Sunbeam 1000 hp]]. [[AJS]] was heavily involved in motorcycle racing either side of World War II, which included winning the [[1949 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1949 World Championship]] in the 500cc category. [[Kieft Cars]] built [[Formula Three]] cars in the early 1950s. Their best known driver was [[Stirling Moss]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/genealogy/Kieft/CyrilKieft.htm |title=Cyril Kieft |author=Jim Evans |publisher=Wolverhampton History & Heritage Society |accessdate=17 June 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828061758/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/genealogy/Kieft/CyrilKieft.htm |archivedate=28 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Wolverhampton Wolves]], one of the leading [[Motorcycle speedway|speedway]] clubs in the UK represents the city, participating in the [[Elite League (speedway)|Elite League]] at the Monmore Green stadium. Wolverhampton Speedway is one of the oldest speedway tracks in the world that is still in operation being first used, albeit briefly in 1928. The track re-opened in 1950 for a single meeting and in 1952 the Wasps competed in the Third Division on the National League. The track closed early in 1954 and did not re-open until 1961 when the Wolves were introduced to the Provincial League. The track has almost been an ever-present ever since and currently operates in the British Elite League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/content/articles/2005/03/29/wolverhampton_speedway_venue_feature.shtml |title=Wolverhampton Speedway |publisher=BBC Black Country |date=4 May 2005 |accessdate=17 June 2008}}</ref> [[Ole Olsen (speedway rider)|Ole Olsen]] (in 1971 and 1975), [[Sam Ermolenko]] (in 1993) and [[Tai Woffinden]] (in 2013) were riders for the club when they became [[Speedway World Championship|World Speedway Champions]]. The Wolves are defending Elite League champions, having defeated the Belle Vue Aces in the 2016 play off final.<ref>http://www.skysports.com/speedway/news/12268/10606983/wolverhampton-repel-belle-vue-to-be-crowned-elite-league-champions</ref> [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans 24 Hours]] winner [[Richard Attwood]] is from the city. ===Marathon=== Wolverhampton is home to the [[Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon]]. The marathon is part of a series of events whose main goal is to raise money for charity. {{Clear}} ==Places of interest== {{EngPlacesKey|align=right}} {{columns-list|colwidth=40em| *[[Wolves in Wolves]] http://wolvesinwolves.co.uk/ *[[Bantock House Museum and Park]] [[File:HH icon.svg|Historic house]] *[[Bilston Craft Gallery]] [[File:Museum icon.svg|Museum (free)]] *[[Mander Centre]] *[[Molineux Stadium]] ([[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.]]) *[[Moseley Old Hall]] [[File:HH icon.svg|Historic house]][[File:NTE icon.svg|National Trust]] *[[St Peter's Collegiate Church]] [[File:AP Icon.svg]] *[[West Park, Wolverhampton|West Park]] [[File:UKAL icon.svg|Accessible open space]] *[[Wightwick Manor]] [[File:HH icon.svg|Historic house]][[File:NTE icon.svg|National Trust]] *[[Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies|Wolverhampton City Archives]] *[[Wolverhampton Art Gallery]] [[File:Museum icon.svg|Museum (free)]] *[[Wolverhampton Civic Hall]] *[[Wolverhampton Grand Theatre]] [[File:Drama-icon.svg|18px]] *[[Wolverhampton Racecourse]] }} {{Clear}} ==Notable people== [[File:BillyWrightStatue.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Statue of [[Billy Wright (footballer born 1924)|Billy Wright]] outside [[Molineux Stadium]]]] {{main article|List of people from Wolverhampton}} <!-- #### Please keep this section short; add new material to the sub-article #### --> There are a number of notable people who are associated with Wolverhampton. Political figures include [[Enoch Powell]] MP, Sir [[Charles Pelham Villiers]] MP – who holds the record for the longest serving MP, [[Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman]] who was the first [[Lord Speaker]] within the [[House of Lords]], former Cabinet minister [[Stephen Byers]], [[Boris Johnson]] who briefly worked as a writer for the ''[[Express & Star]]'', [[David Wright (diplomat)|David Wright]], a former UK Ambassador to Japan and [[Button Gwinnett]], who was a signatory of the US [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and briefly served as [[Governor of Georgia]]. There are many sportspeople associated with the city, with footballers such as [[Billy Wright (footballer born 1924)|Billy Wright]], [[Steve Bull]], [[Bert Williams (footballer, born 1920)|Bert Williams]] and [[Jimmy Mullen (footballer born 1923)|Jimmy Mullen]]; along with [[Percy Stallard]] and [[Hugh Porter]] within the world of cycling, the Olympic medallist swimmer [[Anita Lonsbrough]], professional darts player [[Wayne Jones (darts player)|Wayne Jones]], racing driver and winner of the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] [[Richard Attwood]] as well as athletes such as [[Tessa Sanderson]] and [[Denise Lewis]] and [[cricketer]] [[Vikram Solanki]] who grew up here and played for Wolverhampton Cricket Club before joining [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcestershire]]. Entertainers include actors [[Nigel Bennett]], [[Goldie]], [[Frances Barber]], [[Meera Syal]] and [[Eric Idle]]; and musicians [[Noddy Holder]], [[Dave Hill]], [[Beverley Knight]], [[Dave Holland]], [[Maggie Teyte]], [[Edward Elgar]], [[Mitch Harris]], [[Robert Plant]], [[Paul Raven (musician)|Paul Raven]], and [[Liam Payne]] of the group [[One Direction]]; and television presenters [[Suzi Perry]], [[Mark Rhodes]] and [[Mark Speight]]. Within the area of commerce and industry, Sir [[Sir Alfred Hickman, 1st Baronet|Alfred Hickman]] (first Chairman of [[Tarmac Limited|Tarmac]]), Sir [[Geoffrey Le Mesurier Mander|Geoffrey Mander]], [[John Marston (industrialist)|John Marston]] founder of [[Sunbeam Cycles]] and [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company]], [[John Wilkinson (industrialist)|John 'Iron Mad' Wilkinson]] (pioneer of [[Cast iron]]) and [[Mervyn King (economist)|Mervyn King]] Governor of the [[Bank of England]] are amongst the most notable. Prof [[Ernest Geoffrey Cullwick]], a specialist in electromagnetism and its effects on atomic particles, was born and raised in Wolverhampton. {{Clear}} ==See also== * [[1835 Wolverhampton riot]] ==Notes== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikivoyage}} * [http://www.cityofwolverhampton.com Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society] * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/ BBC Black Country] * [http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk Wolverhampton City Council] * [http://www.wulfruna.org.uk The Parish Of Central Wolverhampton] * [http://www.the-archive.co.uk/wolverhampton-photographs-page-01.html The Archive of Hart Photography Ltd. Website – Images of Wolverhampton City Center under development during the 1960s] * {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/West_Midlands/Wolverhampton}} * [http://www.wolves-beat.co.uk The Wolves Beat website – Famous Wolverhampton people] {{Wards of Wolverhampton}} {{West Midlands County}} {{West Midlands}} {{UK cities}} {{Metropolitan districts of England}} {{Culture places Wolverhampton}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Wolverhampton| ]] [[Category:Articles including recorded pronunciations (UK English)]] [[Category:Cities in the West Midlands (region)]] [[Category:Local government districts of the West Midlands (region)]] [[Category:Metropolitan boroughs]] [[Category:NUTS 3 statistical regions of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Populated places established in the 10th century]] [[Category:History of Staffordshire]] [[Category:985 establishments in Europe]] [[Category:Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership]] [[Category:10th-century establishments in England]]'