From royal visits and Silver Jubilee celebrations to factory floors and everyday moments, these photographs offer a fascinating glimpse of life across the Black Country and Staffordshire in 1977.
It was a year of big occasions and ordinary routines, with plenty of characters and stories captured along the way. We’ve delved into the archives to bring you a collection of pictures that show how much has changed - and how much remains familiar.
Some scenes may bring back memories of places you knew, people you remember or jobs you once did, while others offer a glimpse into a world that has almost disappeared. Take a look through the gallery and see which pictures spark a memory.
Do you recognise anyone? Where were you in 1977? And what do you remember most about the year? Share your memories in the comments.
Take a look back at 1990 in our previous gallery here.
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49. Learning and teaching side by side
Martin Mugwagwa, of Portobello Road, Hill Top, West Bromwich, was a tutor at Walsall School of Nursing when this photograph was taken in January 1977. Alongside teaching, he was also studying for an Open University degree - balancing his own studies with helping to train the next generation of nurses. He is pictured with student nurses at the school. Do you remember studying while working? Or perhaps being taught by someone whose enthusiasm for learning stayed with you? | Express & Star archive
50. A royal glimpse from the crowds
The Queen travelled through Queen Square during her visit to Wolverhampton in July 1977, with crowds gathering for a glimpse of Her Majesty as she passed in her car. For many people, a royal visit was a rare chance to see the Queen in person and became a memorable event for the town. Were you among the crowds that day? Do you remember where you stood or who you went with? | Express & Star archive
51. A Jubilee gift to remember
There was a real sense of community spirit in Wolverhampton in June 1977 when the Inner Wheel presented a local children’s home with toys and book tokens to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Anita Davenport is pictured receiving the gift from Grace Edwards, surrounded by children happily exploring their new toys. It captures a lovely moment of generosity during the Jubilee celebrations. Do you remember community groups raising money or collecting gifts for local causes in 1977? Were you ever the lucky recipient of a similar surprise? | Express & Star archive
52. Watching the machinery at work
A worker is pictured watching the machinery at Precision Shearing Ltd, the steel service centre within the Hulbert of Dudley Group at Cinderbank, in November 1977. The company was planning an expansion at the time, offering a glimpse of a local industry looking towards the future. The machinery itself is a reminder of the scale and noise of the steel-working businesses that once employed so many people across the area. Did anyone in your family work in the steel industry? Can you remember the sound and bustle of factories like this? | Express & Star archive