Wafflers of Wolverham

This information was displayed on the Wolverhampton History and Heritage Web Site. It was put together by Derek Bateman of Chester (my Cousin) Derek is currently the Leader of The Labour Party on Cheshire County Council.

It is information first requested by historians in Wolverhampton concerning an area of Chester and how it took its name. Some people may raise an eye brow to know that yet another Bateman is involved in local politics! (Derek bateman is pictured here)

This is the report that was written and placed on the Wolverhampton History and Heritage web site.

" More about Wafflers and Wolverham

Avid readers of these pages will remember that I mentioned the interesting case of the Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron Co. moving, with all its employees, to Ellesmere Port, where those who had been Wulfrunians became known as Wafflers and there still exists an area of the town called Wolverham. I asked for further information. I am pleased to say that Phil Bateman, the local councillor, immediate past mayor and local travel supremo, took the matter up with his cousin, Derek Bateman who is the Labour Group Leader on Cheshire County Council.

Derek has very kindly sent the following information in an email to Phil:

Yes, it all makes sense. The Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron Works built a rolling mill in Cromwell Road and renamed it the Mersey Corrugated Iron Works in circa 1919. This later became Robertson Thain Corrugated Iron Works circa 1952 which went broke in the late 80s and was bought by British Steel (whatever its new name was). The site is now partly demolished but some of the original buildings are still standing.
Oldfield Road does exist, in fact its map reference is 53 Degrees 16'' 45.25" North by 2 Degrees 54'' 09.46" West.

Wolverham is where I live. Wolverham Road is at the end of Cambridge Road where I live. Wolverham County Primary School is at the back of my house, two rows of streets south.

I can recall Wafflers being used as an expression of the management staff (mainly foreman and above) who moved up from Wolverhampton to the iron works when it opened. Also my Grandfather Bateman was one! He used to refer to himself as being one when I was 10 and visited him at Shotwick Park Old Peoples Home, Shotwick, near Chester where he died.

Phil thinks that this is a really interesting story. I agree. Now: does anyone know of any other such Wulfrunian outposts?"