England was in party mood at the dawn of a new era and children from the Black Country joined the fun by dressing in red white and blue to celebrate.

Now a long-forgotten photograph of the youngsters proudly wearing their Union Jack hats and waistcoats has prompted old chums to organise a reunion to reminisce about their days at a Black Country school over 55 years ago.

The firm friends all attended Dudley Wood Junior school, in Dudley Wood Road, and lived within a stones’ throw of the school.

Michael Writtle, aged 70, spotted himself on a photograph on the front page celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 in the book called Netherton by historian Ned Williams.

He called old school pals Margaret and Paul Rorison, who both started at the school aged five and were married in 1962.

After successfully contacting another friend Olwen Chilton, aged 69, who has lived in the same house in Dudley Wood Road all her life, interest has soared.

“We have all tried to keep in touch over the years but now we get the chance to reminisce about life at the school and talk about the good old days,” Mr Writtle, who now lives in Elmwood Road, Wordsley with wife Sheila, said.

“Even Ned Williams himself is coming to the event as Olwen provided some of the pictures for the book herself. It’s amazing how even though it’s a long time ago, certain things just stay with you.”

Now a 50-strong turnout is expected for a special reunion of past pupils of the junior school in the 40s and 50s. Another prominant feature in the friends lives was St John the Evangelist church, also in Dudley Wood Road. The venue will play host to the event on Saturday, May 23.

Mr Rorison, aged 70, was in the choir at the church and was a big Cradley Heath Heathens speedway fan, visiting every week with Michael.

“It was an idyllic area in those days with loads of open space to play on,” he said.