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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25. Pride of Pelsall ready for the TT
Brian Meeson and Tony O’Brian, of Walsall Wasp Racing, had high hopes for their new sidecar outfit as they prepared for the Isle of Man TT in 1977. The machine, named Pride of Pelsall, was powered by a Yamaha 700cc water-cooled engine and the pair were aiming for a top-six finish, with speeds expected to exceed 140mph. After struggling with their Imp-engined outfit the previous year, they had invested in a new machine in the hope of improving their fortunes. Can you imagine travelling to the Isle of Man to cheer them on? Do you remember following local riders and racers in the TT? | Express & Star archive
26. A royal visitor at the trade fair
The Queen Mother paid a visit to Yale Security Products at the International Spring Fair at the NEC in 1977. Among those pictured is 24-year-old Lynda Binnell, of Wolverhampton, on the right. For people working at the fair, a royal visit must have been quite a memorable interruption to an ordinary day at work. Can you imagine being in Lynda’s position? Did you ever meet a member of the Royal Family while at work or at a local event? | Express & Star archive
27. A tricky journey with a pram
Pavement resurfacing work in Halesowen Road, Old Hill, was making life difficult for pedestrians in February 1977. The temporary surface was described as dangerous for older people, while this photograph shows a mother carefully pushing her pram across the uneven stretch. A Sandwell highways official said the pavement would be improved once the work was finished the following week. Have you ever had to negotiate a pavement like this with a pram or pushchair? Do you remember how disruptive roadworks could be? | Express & Star archive
28. Taking a break from the Christmas shopping
Ten-year-old Jane Russell, of Dingle Street, Oldbury, takes a well-earned break while her mother browsed for furniture during the December sales in 1977. For children, a day of Christmas shopping could sometimes seem just as tiring as it was exciting, especially when there were shops to visit and queues to endure. Can you remember being dragged around the shops as a child while your parents did their Christmas shopping? Where did you go to escape the crowds? | Express & Star archive