Close

Step back to 1971: 19 pictures of Staffordshire and the Black Country - see how many you remember

Join us as we take a trip back to 1971 with 19 unforgettable photos from the Express & Star archives, showcasing the region as you may remember - or have maybe forgotten!

Plus
By Tania Taylor
Published

These photos capture the people and moments that made the headlines across our pages - from the mystery of a disappearing-and-reappearing traffic island to the charm of ‘Bert the Boatman’. Let’s take a look…  

May 22, 1971. The floral display in the grounds of Dudley Guest Hospital, designed by the hospital group gardening superintendent, Mr Alan Hanslip, which has been made to mark the centenary of the hospital. The display, which contains about 10,000 plants, took six men a day and a half to lay out. The display depicts the hospital's opening in 1871 and its growth to the present day.
May 22, 1971. The floral display in the grounds of Dudley Guest Hospital, designed by the hospital group gardening superintendent, Mr Alan Hanslip, which has been made to mark the centenary of the hospital. The display, which contains about 10,000 plants, took six men a day and a half to lay out. The display depicts the hospital's opening in 1871 and its growth to the present day.
February 22, 1971. For 10 years the Queens stood depressingly empty and unused - the treasure house for memories of several generations, as letters on this and the next page prove.PIC STORY: Still no decision on old ballroomNo decision has yet been made on the future of the old Queen's ballroom in Wolverhampton, which was closed just over two years ago.Rank sold the property, which used to be a cinema, to Marks & Spencer Ltd.The firm was expected to use it as a warehouse, but later decided it would not be of practical use.Marks & Spencer have disposed of it to Hortons Estates Ltd, Colmore Row, Birmingham, which has extensive property interests in Wolverhampton.A spokesman for the company said today: \We intend to let or develop the property in the best possible way as soon as possible.\There have been several inquiries and we are considering various possibilities short-term or long-term.\The position is under review. We don't want to leave it empty in the centre of Wolverhampton for an indefinite period.
February 22, 1971. No decision had yet been made on the future of the old Queen's ballroom in Wolverhampton, which was closed just over two years ago. Rank sold the property, which used to be a cinema, to Marks & Spencer Ltd. The firm was expected to use it as a warehouse, but later decided it would not be of practical use. Marks & Spencer have disposed of it to Hortons Estates Ltd, Colmore Row, Birmingham, which has extensive property interests in Wolverhampton. A spokesman for the company said: 'We intend to let or develop the property in the best possible way as soon as possible.'
January 28, 1971 - 'Wolverhampton is a toytown. Look at its new High Level station and its 'pathetic' little car park...' read the caption.
January 28, 1971 - 'Wolverhampton is a toytown. Look at its new High Level station and its 'pathetic' little car park...' read the caption.
Staffordshire County Council workmen arrived in the centre of Brewood, and quietly and efficiently removed a traffic island. The island (pictured) - which some residents considered a pleasant landmark - has disappeared from under the villagers' noses. But now, almost as mysteriously as it vanished, the island has suddenly re-appeared.' It has changed to a pear-shape, and is about six feet away from its original position,' said Mr Bill Burns, landlord of The Lion public house.' Workmen arrived on Monday, and now the work is almost complete,\ he added.But some people travelling through the village still seem to be unaware the island is back - until they are almost on it.Said Mr Burns: \While the island was being rebuilt, as many as three out of five cars seemed to drive straight over it until bollards were erected.' A spokesman for Stafforshire Council said the parish council asked for an investigation into traffic problems, because heavy vehicles could not negotiate the island. The county council decided to remove the island altogether.' This produced a traffic hazard, and people living nearby asked us to have another look.'
February 4, 1971. Staffordshire County Council workmen arrived in the centre of Brewood, and quietly and efficiently removed a traffic island. The island (pictured) - which some residents considered a pleasant landmark - has disappeared from under the villagers' noses. But now, almost as mysteriously as it vanished, the island has suddenly re-appeared.' It has changed to a pear-shape, and is about six feet away from its original position,' said Mr Bill Burns, landlord of The Lion public house.'
Lichfield Arts Centre, based at the old Post Office, in March 1971
Lichfield Arts Centre, based at the old Post Office, in March 1971
A three-year plan to bring Wolverhampton Art Gallery "into the 20th century" was making progress, with the installation of a new storage unit in the basement to house the collection of paintings, water colours and drawings. The photograph shows John Davies hanging pictures in the new unit on March 9, 1971.
A three-year plan to bring Wolverhampton Art Gallery "into the 20th century" was making progress, with the installation of a new storage unit in the basement to house the collection of paintings, water colours and drawings. The photograph shows John Davies hanging pictures in the new unit on March 9, 1971.