Take a nostalgic journey through life in and around Cannock during the 1970s, a decade of change, community spirit and unforgettable moments.
From the coalfields and Cannock Chase to town centre scenes, royal visits and everyday life on local streets, these archive photographs, presented in no particular order, capture the people, places and stories that shaped the area.
Do you recognise familiar faces, old landmarks or places that have changed over the years? Share your memories of Cannock in the 1970s with us.
Relive memories of the Black Country and Staffordshire in 1984 in our archive gallery here.
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5. A changing Cannock seen from above
This view from the tower of St Luke’s Church captures Cannock in the middle of a period of major change in May 1971. The open land in the foreground was being cleared for the new ring road, while the Rumer Hill prefab estate was being transformed into permanent homes. On the skyline, the familiar pit shale mounds that had been part of the landscape for generations were waiting to be removed. Do you remember Cannock before these changes? Which landmarks or views from the town do you miss the most? | Express & Star archive
6. Learning new skills at Cannock Community Centre
Miss Cissie Watkins concentrates on a sawing task during the ladies’ woodwork classes at Cannock Community Centre in January 1973, with help from Miss Gillian Loftus. The weekly sessions offered local women the chance to learn practical skills, try something new and meet others in the community. Do you remember taking part in classes or activities at Cannock Community Centre? What skills did you learn in the 1970s? | Express & Star archive
7. Community singing brings Cannock together
Thousands of people gathered in the grounds of St Luke’s Church, Cannock, for a community singing event in July 1979, marking the second anniversary of the Cannock Festival of Flowers. The occasion brought residents together for an afternoon of music and celebration in the heart of the town. Do you remember taking part in community events at St Luke’s Church? Can you spot yourself or anyone you know among the crowds? | Express & Star archive
8. A new identity for Cannock Chase Council
Cannock Chase Council’s secretary John Freeman admires the authority’s new coat of arms in February 1977. The council had been formed just a few years earlier in 1974, following the merger of Cannock and Rugeley district councils, along with Brindley Heath, which had previously been part of Lichfield. The new emblem represented a new chapter for the area’s local government. Do you remember the changes when Cannock Chase Council was created? Have you got memories of the old councils or local authority buildings? | Express & Star archive