128 Horseley Fields Wolverhampton WV1 3DD
Originally starting out as a Friendly Society in 1826, they invited many unions to join them, becoming the Amalgamated Society of Engineers.
By 1920, it was called the Amalgamated Engineering Union – AEU and a further nine unions merged with it. Mergers continued and, during World War II, the men voted to allow women members and the membership swelled to 825,000.
By the early 1970’s and with continuing mergers, they became the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers AUEW, but this was followed by some infighting by various factions, ending with Technical, Administrative and Supervisory TASS, becoming independent in the late 1980’s and the main union becoming known as the AEU once again.
Despite continuing new mergers, overall membership was in decline due to the huge drop in heavy industry in the UK.
In 2002 the union amalgamated with the Manufacturing, Science & Finance Union MSF to create Amicus.
But this was dissolved in 2007 when it merged with the Transport & General Workers Union to become what we know today as unite!
So, following a whirlwind of amalgamation, only the ghost memory of the AEU remains, in the form of the building on Horseley Fields.
The decline in manufacturing and reduction in trade union membership, is the story of C20/21 capitalism, this was no accident – it was a political act.
Photo: Lord-Ian Hughes
Horseley Fields is named after Horseley Field which was an old field dating back to at least Elizabethan times. It was then owned by Thomas Leveson and rented out to a tenant farmer. In the late 19th and early 20th century it became a prosperous shopping street. The shops catered for a large local population living in the area in between Horseley Fields and Bilston Street.
St James’ Square became a stopping place for local buses coming into town from Walsall and Willenhall, and so there was also a large passing trade. In the early 1970’s most of the local houses were demolished and the buses diverted into the town centre. With the local and passing trade gone, many of the shops closed or changed hands.
Emmanuel and Ivy are the lead pastors of International Life Church. They planted the church in 2001 in Wolverhampton. The church has since opened branches across the UK. Together they have an interest in Christian education, primarily training tomorrow’s leaders today in order to advance the Church in this ever changing world.
Their ministry reaches across countries in Southern Africa where they have oversight over a number of churches and church leaders.
They are now based at 128 Gough Street Wolverhampton WV1 3DD.
Paris Carpets is a trusted carpet shop in Wolverhampton, supplying and fitting quality flooring for homes, landlords, and businesses since 2016.
They are now based at Wolverhampton WV13 3SW.
The side entrance is adorned with sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe’s Trellis modular concrete panels.
Thanks again to good friend and fellow Modernist Rob Bishop for leading the way.
