The most dangerous motorcycle race in the world is the Isle of Man T.T.Races. Very brave or quite mad riders, depends how you look at it, racing around a near 38 mile course in under 17 minutes at an average speed of 131 m.p.h. have always earned my admiration as a mere motor cyclist. 

  However, it was not always like this as when it all started in 1907 the course was only 15 miles long and the first winner was Charlie Collier on his Matchless at a breath-taking average speed of just 38 m.p.h. One can understand that the engine and cycle parts that went into these machines were crude and fragile unlike today's computer designed 'missiles'. So what has this got to do with Willenhall you may ask.

   Well, you will probably know that our neighbour town of Wolverhampton had quite a reputation for making motor vehicles of all kinds and some of the famous names of motor cycling manufacturing such as H.R.D., A.J.S., and Sunbeam all entered the T.T.Races with distinction, not to mention the lesser manufactures like Villiers that produced a large range of engines that powered a many thousands of 'tiddlers' that many folk used to get to work (leaving a cloud of blue smoke behind us) in the 50's and 60's, but did you know that a Willenhall company also produced an engine for fitting to motor cycles and at times more obscure vehicles?    

I didn't until  2 or 3 years ago when I met Terry Tranter of Fibbersley at the Willenhall Heritage Day.  Before his retirement Terry was the chief project engineer with Josiah Parkes and he explained to me that Parkes's had produced a motor cycle engine during the period from 1919 to 1921. This was a single cyclinder two-stroke of 292 c.c. designed by a Ralph Whaley and like their locks was called the 'Union' engine and aimed at supplying motor cycle manufactures with a ready made power unit for their machines. During the 70's and 80's Terry had assisted the Vintage Motor Cycle Club by providing information on the engine from their works records and very kindly passed over his file of information to me for safe-keeping in our archive. Thank you again Terry. 

  Looking through the file  revealed that the Union engine had been used in a variety of early machines some of these being the Autoglide scooter, Carfield, Sirrah, Priory, P.&S. and O.K. motor cycles who seem to have been the main user. The production run of the Union is in some doubt and by 1921 Parkes's seem to have lost interest and the design was passed to a Birmingham company so actual numbers produced at the Willenhall factory is not known, though it was heavily advertised and exhibited at the 1919 Olympia motor cycle show.    

The Union engine can at least claim one sporting success, though not a T.T. winner, on the August Bank Holiday in 1920, a Mrs. Lowry, riding her Autoglide scooter Reg.No.AJ4739 won a 3 mile race at the Harrogate & District  Friendly Society Fete. Jolly good show. Can I say that as these engines are quite rare now so if any of you men are being dragged around  any motor cycle shows or museums by your wives just stop sulking  and get details or photo's of anything Union that we can put in our archives and finally we know that Parkes's had a lawn mower powered by one of their engines so get cleaning out that old shed and see if you have it hidden under all that rubbish. 

Next we have our appeal section. Back in Feb/March'19 we asked for information about Waterglade Lane on behalf of Ken Robinson and are pleased to say that Ken has been contacted by another former resident of Waterglade Lane, Jack Parsons. So another success.  

Only last night did I get a request from Jason and Steve Cheetham who are looking for information on their grandfather Tom Cheetam (1906-1952) who lived in Summer St, Willenhall. He was a milkman and also a driver for Ely's undertakers and the family have reason to think Tom put up for election to the Council in 1934  as a Labour Party candidate. The family would like to know more about this so if you can help please let me know.    

Finally, I need to tell you that there is no society meeting in on the 11th June as we shall be meeting up for our annual day trip on Saturday 15th.June but its back to normal in July with a talk on the 9th.July by John Mobberley entitled 'Life in Post War Britain'. On the 13th.August it is our open night when you can have a rummage through our extensive and interesting archive and 'meet the team'. Usual 7.15pm at the Chart Centre, Gomer St.

  Bye for now, Bob.