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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9. 40,000 people in one place
Around 40,000 people packed into West Park, Wolverhampton, for the town’s Fiesta carnival day in June 1977. Express & Star photographer Ken Wood captured this remarkable bird’s-eye view from Europa, giving a sense of just how huge the crowds were. It is difficult to imagine a local event attracting such numbers today. Do you remember going to the Fiesta? What do you remember most about the day? | Express & Star archive
10. Remembering those who never came home
Rachel Windsor, a Māori woman from New Zealand, is pictured in April 1977 laying a wreath during the Anzac Day service at Cannock Chase Military Cemetery. Wearing national dress, she joined the ceremony remembering Australian and New Zealand servicemen who died in the two World Wars. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and remains a place of remembrance for those who lost their lives far from home. Have you ever visited Cannock Chase Military Cemetery? Do you know of someone from your family or community remembered there? | Express & Star archive
11. A mountain of post
There was certainly plenty of paperwork to deal with in September 1977. Dudley Council electoral registration officials Gail Edwards, Margaret Currien and Karen Bailey were receiving up to 10,000 letters a day as a new voting register was being compiled. The photograph captures just how much work went into keeping the electoral roll up to date in the days before computers transformed office work. Can you imagine dealing with that volume of post by hand? Do you remember working in an office where paperwork seemed to take over every available surface? | Express & Star archive
12. First aid skills for Hill Top pupils
Thirteen girls from Hill Top High School, West Bromwich, celebrated in March 1977 after gaining adult St John Ambulance Brigade first aid certificates. They had completed a course at West Bromwich College of Commerce and Technology under the instruction of Mrs Christine Musgrove, and are pictured proudly showing their certificates to her and senior master Mr Eric Holt. First aid skills were already being encouraged in schools more than 40 years ago - did you ever take a first aid course at school, or learn skills that have stayed with you ever since? | Express & Star archive