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July, 2010
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
hosts exhibition on the city's rich transport heritage
Mohan Singh,
member of the Blakenhall and Graiseley local history groups that keep an eye
on the city's historic motor manufacturing quarter, sent a copy of a local
newspaper article about an exciting exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
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9 June, 2010
George Peck, former Sunbeamland employee, celebrates his 100th
birthday
George Peck, who
worked at Sunbeamland in its heyday, celebrated his 100th birthday and made
the local newspaper. Gill Hammond sent a copy of the article to the
web-site.
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21 January, 2010
Jan and Cora Gordon's 1931
exploits on a Sunbeam
Motorised travel
has had a profound influence on our modern culture and behaviour. Alongside their
competitive use on road, hills and track, motorcycles offered an independent means to pursue travel, adventure and to explore the world.
The freedom offered by the motorcycle appealed to the adventurous,
free-thinking and free spirits of
the new twentieth century's Modern Age - with the motorcycle eventually
coming to be the very symbol of the rebellious 'outsider'.
In the early era of motorised travel such
exploits were the preserve of the well-to-do but artists often feature
amongst their number. Modern art was fascinated by concepts of speed and the
cultural exchanges associated with travel. Ken Bryant has produced an
evocative re-telling of the adventures in the early 1930s of artists Jan and
Cora Gordon travelling on a Sunbeam combination through France. Not much
bike content but an interesting insight into the spirit of the age. (Photo opposite
courtesy of Ken).
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24 November, 2009
Sunbeam T.T Rider Tom
Sheard - 'the modest Manxman'
The
Sunbeam's reputation, in common with that
of its rivals, was gained through sporting success. Success was not ,
however, simply a question of a machine's capabilities. The hard-earned
victories for the manufacturers were in no small part the result of the
effort put in by a tough breed of racing motorcyclist who pushed themselves
to exhaustion. One such T.T. rider was Tom Sheard whose story is told in 'T
M Sheard - the Modest Manxman' by his grand-daughter Ruth Sheard.
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Monday 15
September, 2009
Wolverhampton's Motoring
History Makes for Successful Heritage Tour
The weekend’s walking tour of
Wolverhampton’s historic motor manufacturing quarter as part of this year’s
Heritage Open Days events was a resounding success. In no small part this
was thanks to an enthusiastic turn-out, hard-working volunteers and not
forgetting the great weather we had.
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| An extract from the
Birmingham Post of 12 August 2009 by Anna Blackaby
Monday 10 August, 2009
Developer 'Urban Splash'
purchases Sunbeamland
It has been reported in the local and
property development press that Urban Splash, a developer renowned for its
projects involving the rescue and adaptation of historic buildings, has
purchased the Sunbeamland factory from Mucklows who held the freehold title.
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| An extract from
'the Sloper' - the magazine of the Panther Owners' Club
July,
2009
Terrot factory
at Dijon, France is 'listed'
The Panther Owners' Club, having lost
the remains of their Cleckheaton factory, included this article in their
club magazine to show this need not always be the way. The Terrot factory in
Dijon, France fared much better having been 'listed' on the French Inventory
of Historic Monuments. Hope yet for Wolverhampton's Sunbeamland, AJS works,
etc.
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| Central Youth Theatre Presents Friday 20 - Sunday 21 September, 2007
'The Supreme
Sunbeam' at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Let Wolverhampton's finest young
talent take you on a laughter-filled, nostalgic trip through time, from
elegant Victorian Wolverhampton and the busy works of the glorious Sunbeam
Company to the heart of Daytona Beach, Florida.
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| An extract from the
Wolverhampton Chronicle by Mark Walsh
Thursday 23 November, 2006
Sleek Sunbeam is shining example of
craftsmanship
Looking like an extra on a wartime
film set, the Black Country Living Museum's unique Sunbeam motorcycle is the
oldest surviving example of its kind. MARK WALSH talks to the man restoring
the antique machine and hitches a ride back to the glory days of Black
Country motor manufacture
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| An extract from the
Wolverhampton Express & Star newspaper
Saturday 31 August, 1996
Speed
kings remembered in supermarket sculpture
The golden age of motoring and
Wolverhampton's part in it was commemorated today with the unveiling of a
new statue.
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Return to: SUNBEAMLAND -
the Sunbeam Motorcycle Works
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