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South Staffordshire’s History Deserves to Be Seen

Across South Staffordshire, every village, street, and landscape holds a story. From innovators and artists to sports legends, civic leaders, and everyday heroes — our district’s heritage deserves to be celebrated, not forgotten.

A Blue Plaque Scheme will shine a light on the people, places, and events that shaped South Staffordshire — permanently commemorated where history actually happened.

Why Blue Plaques?

 

  • A visible celebration of our shared history — connecting past and present

  • A way to educate, inspire, and engage residents and visitors

  • A community-led project that brings local pride and identity

  • A lasting record of the people, places and events that made a difference right here in South Staffordshire

A Heritage Scheme for Everyone

South Staffordshire’s stories are wonderfully diverse. Here’s just a glimpse of the range a plaque scheme could celebrate.

Sport

Ted Jarman lived in Wombourne and was a Ryder Cup golfer, Pip Harris, also of Wombourne, was an international sidecar racer. And of course, Peter Broadbent (pictured) resided in Codsall and was a Wolves and England football legend (and George Best’s favourite player).

Arts & Culture

Nancy Price of Kinver was an acclaimed actress and theatre reformer, Mark Speight (pictured) of Seisdon was a beloved children’s TV presenter and artist and Martin Gilks grew up in Brewood and was the drummer on the Wonder Stuff’s number 1 hit, Dizzy.

Industry, Innovation and Social History

Ashwood Marina was once a vital coal distribution hub for the Earl of Dudley’s railway; The Stewponey and Foley Arms was a sorely-missed public house and home to a fondly-remembered lido.

Politics and Law

Seisdon Union Workhouse was a building that cared for the poor of South Staffordshire in the 19th century and held the first ever meeting of Seisdon Rural Council and Sir Edward Littleton of Penkridge was the speaker of the House of Commons.

Medicine & Public Service

Bratch Isolation Hospital protected public health in Wombourne and surrounding areas, whilst Dr Ernest Arthur Freeman was a pioneering orthopaedic surgeon and teacher.

This is just a small taste of our local heritage that could be commemorated. Below is a map showing even more entries that could potentially be considered, and even this list is not exhaustive.

Want To Get Involved?

 

We’re looking for volunteers, researchers, plaque sponsors, and local champions to help bring the South Staffordshire Blue Plaque Scheme to life.

If you’re passionate about history, community, or storytelling — we’d love to hear from you.

Help us give South Staffordshire’s past the recognition it deserves — one plaque at a time.

Visit our contact page here and get in touch with us.

What About Wolverhampton?

 

Wolverhampton already has a successful blue plaque scheme, established in 1983 by Rudi Herbert, Richard Rhodes and Pat Reidy, of the Wolverhampton Civic Society. The scheme has installed in excess of 100 plaques to date, although some are presently missing or in storage. The map on the right shows an up to date list of all plaques in Wolverhampton.

 

The scheme continues to be run by the successor organisation to the Civic Society, now known as The Wolverhampton Society. Details of criteria and how to nominate submissions can be found on their website.