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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33. Chadsmoor pupils learn about lifesavers
Children from Chadsmoor Infants School, Cannock, get a closer look at the work of ambulance crews during a visit to ambulance headquarters in Stafford on January 30, 1974. As part of a “people who help us” project, the pupils were shown oxygen equipment by Deputy Station Officer Nevil Haughton, giving them an insight into the important role of emergency workers. Do you remember taking part in school visits or projects like this? Which local heroes inspired you when you were young? | Express & Star archive
34. Restoring a piece of Cannock’s heritage
Glaziers Eric Darby and Arthur Steventon prepare to fit one of two new leaded windows at St Luke’s Church, Cannock, in 1976. Holding the carefully crafted window before it was installed, the pair helped preserve one of the town’s best-known historic buildings for future generations. Do you remember seeing work taking place at St Luke’s Church? What are your memories of this familiar Cannock landmark? | Express & Star archive
35. From cinema screens to bingo nights in Cannock
Plans for a new bingo hall at the former Danilo cinema site in High Green were taking shape in February 1970, with the building set to include a supermarket on the ground floor and space for around 1,000 players. The old cinema, which had opened in 1939, was about to disappear, making way for a new entertainment venue featuring the latest electronic bingo equipment — nicknamed the “monster”. Do you remember the Danilo cinema? Did you spend evenings there watching films, or later enjoy a game of bingo at the new hall? | Express & Star archive
36. Keeping watch over Cannock Chase after the fires
PC Dick Jarvis is pictured on horseback during an early morning patrol on Cannock Chase near Springfield House in September 1976. Just days earlier, a forest fire had swept through part of the Chase during the summer heatwave, and police were urging people to stay away while the risk of further outbreaks remained high. The photograph captures a quiet moment as officers helped protect one of the area's best-loved landscapes. Do you remember the long, hot summer of 1976 and the fires on Cannock Chase? Were you among those asked to keep away from the heathland? | Express & Star archive