Get ready for a little nostalgia with a smile as we look back at life across the Black Country, Wolverhampton and Staffordshire.
From cheeky high-street pranks and summer jubilee parades to hen nights, garden windmills and some wonderfully unexpected moments, these archive pictures capture local life at its most uplifting.
Which ones make you chuckle or bring back a happy memory? Share your thoughts in the comments!
- Remember when Walsall drew the crowds? Step back into its bustling past here
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13. Giggling along with classic seaside antics in the shopping centre
Pure giggles and wide smiles take over as four-year-old Rachel Ward covers her eyes while her six-year-old brother Stewart grins beside her during a lively Punch and Judy show on May 29, 1985. The young duo from Bushbury were swept up in the absolute excitement at the Mander Centre as the venue kicked off its festive Millennium Shop 'n' Fun fortnight. Packed with daily entertainment ranging from Morris dancers to youth brass bands, the action-packed event brought non-stop laughter and pure childhood delight straight to the heart of town! | Express & Star archive
14. A hilarious highlight for a pre-wedding bash
Bringing down the house! A group of cheerful friends share uncontrollable giggles during a lively November 1986 hen party at an unknown location, as a fedora-wearing entertainer strikes a dramatic pose right in the middle of the lounge. Surrounded by pints of Banks's Mild and a room full of roaring laughter, the fun-loving partygoers make sure the bride-to-be gets a send-off to remember! | Express & Star archive
15. Making a splash at the local reservoir
The perfect way to beat the summer heat! On August 6, 1964, a lively group of boys leap into Netherton reservoir, turning the local water ski ramp into their very own makeshift diving board. While the adventurous lads dive mid-air into the cooling waters, a hesitant four-legged friend decides to stay safely perched on the wooden ramp to wait for his master to return. | Express & Star archive
16. Cracking a smile over a giant egg balancing act
An egg-straordinary piece of modern art. In April 1993, Wolverhampton Art Gallery attendant Vernon Wilson, from Parkfield, strikes a thoughtful pose as he contemplates a striking, life-size sculpture by artist Malcolm Poynter. Featuring a figure balancing a massive egg on its head, the eye-catching installation added a wonderfully surreal and playful buzz to the gallery during its spring exhibition. | Express & Star archive