Wilders Selection box

Richard Lane · Nov 24, 2020

Done Fettling said: ↑

I will ask my dad when i see him what brands were about in his youth as he grew up in the Stanfield's area by the Haywood Hospital .I know he liked Fireworks as he often tells me he and a group of lads got a boot up the behind off a policeman for making cannons with bangers and trying to sink boats on Tunstall park lake [/QUOTE

Absolutely love it!!
Click to expand...

Richard Lane · Nov 25, 2020

Here are a couple of my poster collection....treasure these....aaanndd I have a wooden box which originates from ...and is marked Wilders.
It’s over at my workshop and museum and I’ll snap it and post it when I’m next there.

Richard Lane · Nov 27, 2020

Repington said: ↑

Wilders Fireworks was founded by Joseph Wilder in the 1830’s. His son, also named Joseph, took over the business but died in 1871. In 1895 Joseph juniors son’s Joseph and William bought a firework factory and land in Greet, Birmingham from Adams Firework Company who probably closed down after a number of accidents. They also acquired land in Acocks Green.
In 1879 William Wilder (1851-1904) and his brother, John (1855-1924) recieved their explosives licence (above).
The firm Wilders was said to be one of the oldest and largest firework firms in the country. In the 1920’s Joseph’s son, Vernon, joined the company and after his father’s death in 1946, he took over the firm. The company prospered until the 1950’s when Vernon said that buildings were appearing all around his site and it would only be a matter of time before he had to move. Sadly, after Bonfire Night, in November 1957 he decided to sell to Brocks. His 200 employees, 90 separate huts and 13 acre site all had to go.
Vernon accepted an invitation to join the Board of Brocks and he and his Wife, Marjorie, moved to Hemel Hempstead - something he regretted. After appearing on Panorama with the manager of Standard Fireworks (the BBC having helped destroy the firework industry with this programme) Vernon and his wife retired to Wales and Vernon died there in 1976. His wife, Marjorie, moved to Devon where she died in 1979. They had no children.
I traced Vernon and Marjorie’s niece and although she didn’t have much of their possessions she did find me the original Explosives Licence, it’s accompanying letter and one Wilders/Brocks catalogue that Vernon had saved. Vernon was a very happy, humerus character and is remembered with great fondness.
Click to expand...

Great piece of research...well done ..excellente!!

Richard Lane · Dec 15, 2020

Richard Lane said: ↑

Here are a couple of my poster collection....treasure these....aaanndd I have a wooden box which originates from ...and is marked Wilders.
It’s over at my workshop and museum and I’ll snap it and post it when I’m next there. View attachment 56481 View attachment 56482
Click to expand...

Herewith photos of the Wilders Box..apparently it was used by the display team on site.

Log in or register for free!

Wilders Selection box

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Log in or register for free!

Wilders Selection box

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Richard Lane Supports UKFR

Useful Searches