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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53. Keeping the gardens tidy
Mr Philip Willets, superintendent at Yew Tree Gardens high-rise flats, and assistant superintendent Mr Eric Griffiths are pictured sweeping rubbish into a pile in October 1977. It is a simple snapshot of the work that went into keeping communal areas clean and tidy for residents. How different do you think the grounds look today? Do you remember caretakers or superintendents looking after the flats where you lived? | Express & Star archive
54. Young engineers with big ideas
Innovation and determination were on display in Wednesbury in July 1977 as finalists in the Young Engineer for Britain competition showcased ideas designed to improve people’s lives. West Midlands winners Christine Potter and Andy Horsfall, from Hall Green Technical College, are pictured alongside fellow finalist Tom Phillips of Christ’s Hospital School, Lincoln. Their projects included a ski walking aid for disabled children and a redesigned hospital trolley, showing the practical thinking and ambition of a new generation of young engineers. What did you dream of inventing when you were young? Did you ever have an idea that you thought could make everyday life easier? | Express & Star archive
55. A local firm with a global reach
Industrial Automated Systems at Trent Valley, Lichfield, had secured a major export order when this photograph was taken in October 1977. David Scrimgeour is pictured working on circuitry at the factory, offering a glimpse of the technical work behind the company’s growing success. It is easy to forget how many local firms were producing equipment for customers overseas. Do you remember Industrial Automated Systems? Did anyone you know work in electronics or engineering in the 1970s? | Express & Star archive