'I'm mourning our lost communities' - Your letters plus three nostalgic pictures from the past in the West Midlands

Here are 10 letters from our readers and three pictures from the past for you to enjoy.

A bumper letters special today, with three pictures from the past to enjoy. It is safe to say many of you are fed up with modern life and would like simpler times to return.

Young people travelled around the Midlands on March 31 1972, visiting churches as part of a Methodist Church mission. Pictured at the start in Shrewsbury are Peter Roberts of Dudley, Ann Lebeder,
of St Martins, Gareth Large, of Dudley, Jayne Roe of Dudley, and David Barnsley of Rugeley — Young people travelled around the Midlands on March 31 1972, visiting churches as part of a Methodist Church mission. Pictured at the start in Shrewsbury are Peter Roberts of Dudley, Ann Lebeder, of St Martins, Gareth Large, of Dudley, Jayne Roe of Dudley, and David Barnsley of Rugeley

Dawley High Street in April 1967. The caption reads: ‘The road roller and workmen moved in
to begin their task of resurfacing the road. The closure of the road caused a storm of protest
from Dawley Urban District Council’s highways and public works committee.’ — Dawley High Street in April 1967. The caption reads: ‘The road roller and workmen moved in to begin their task of resurfacing the road. The closure of the road caused a storm of protest from Dawley Urban District Council’s highways and public works committee.’

A Guy Motors bus pictured in 1956 - location not stated at the time but outside a park. It was speculated in the Express & Star in subsequent articles that it was West Park in Wolverhampton, but the location is clearly Himley Park as the building and gates have barely changed.

Mourning our lost communities

Once upon a time our communities were made better by local services and small business, often family run 'services' that added value to the community. Improving our lifestyle and were easily accessible.

Look around the Black Country. What’s missing today?

Pubs - closed, neglected or HMO.

Post Office - closed or, centralised miles away or, in a superstore.

Chip Shop - sweet shop or kebabed, Deliveroo or, bust.

Cafe - closed, no full English or, one you can't afford, or Costa.

Police Station closed and, centralised miles away.

Newspaper 'corner' shop...closed, no papers, sold out or, Vape shop.

Banks with ATM - closed, centralised miles away.

High Streets - empty, litter filled and dull.

Public toilets - closed or vandalised and filthy.

How many local community assets and resources do you have that are employing local people or run by families?

Superstores have eaten up local small business and services. The cost of food has risen 37 per cent over five years. For example, Tesco profits have risen £1.8 bn in 2021 to £3.1bn in 2024/25. A 72 per cent increase - ‘greedinflation’.

Is your shopping any cheaper or services any better locally?

Now, how much extra have you been paying in council tax for poorer services and where are your services located in your area? Has your lifestyle been improved with easy access to local services?

Think on. A thriving local community offering both local services and long term local jobs is rare these days in our vanishing lifestyle, not just locally but across the Black Country in 2025.

Distance, isolation, centralisation and cost has damaged communities and their quality of life. This is not modernisation it is loss and, social decay across our local towns and neighbourhoods.

While millions of tax payers hard earned money goes on overspend, debt and unaccountable boards and quangos short term projects. We will not regain our traditional lifestyles.

Vanishing communities.

Doug James, Darlaston