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Wyre Forest retro: 23 nostalgic images from Bewdley, Kidderminster and nearby villages

Step back in time with this charming selection of pictures from the Express & Star archive.

By Tania Taylor
Published
Last updated

And what a mix for your enjoyment! Here, we’re reminded of the distinctive interior fashions of the 1970s, witness circus performers bringing traffic to a halt, see a one-man protest over horse muck unfold, and encounter the touching tale of an abandoned lion cub.

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Arley ferry on the River Severn in 1970.
Arley ferry on the River Severn in 1970.
Bert the Boatman, Arley Ferry, River Severn. Bert Evans operated the ferry across the river, but the building of a footbridge was due to make him redundant. The photograph shows Bert pushing off the boat, with a crane erecting the footbridge in the background. Pictures on October 5, 1971.
Bert the Boatman, Arley Ferry, River Severn. Bert Evans operated the ferry across the river, but the building of a footbridge was due to make him redundant. The photograph shows Bert pushing off the boat, with a crane erecting the footbridge in the background. Pictures on October 5, 1971.
Stourbridge Road, Wolverley - Walter Lawrence was calling on Wyre Forest Council to pass a bye-law forbidding horses from fouling on pavements, after having consistent problems outside his house. The photograph shows Walter outside his house holding a sign that reads 'Wolverley and Wyre Forest District 1st Prize for Horse Muck Paths.'
September, 1978: Stourbridge Road, Wolverley - Walter Lawrence was calling on Wyre Forest Council to pass a bye-law forbidding horses from fouling on pavements, after having consistent problems outside his house. The photograph shows Walter outside his house holding a sign that reads 'Wolverley and Wyre Forest District 1st Prize for Horse Muck Paths.'
Pat and Vicky Moule asked an architect friend to design them a house to stand beside their pig unit in Hartlebury. The photograph shows Vicky in the new kitchen in January, 1978.
The story reads: 'Have you ever seen a new farmhouse? Pat and Vicky Moule hadn't, so when they asked an architect friend to design them a house to stand beside their pig unit near Hartlebury, Kidderminster, they had no very clear idea of what they wanted. "We knew it had to fit in with the countryside and be easy to run - with four children that was essential," said Vicky. "We also wanted it to be simple, light and not waste space. And we wanted something modern, but not out of place set in fields." Pictured is Vicky in her new kitchen in January, 1978.
This 'fashionable' sitting room was designed by Living Magazine, it was taken at the Bovis Show Home on the Heronswood Park development in Kidderminster on September 29, 1978.
This 'fashionable' sitting room was designed by Living Magazine, it was taken at the Bovis Show Home on the Heronswood Park development in Kidderminster on September 29, 1978.
The demolition of St Michael's Church, Stourport, in July 1979. The church was being demolished to make way for a new building. The photograph shows David Beard working above the alter where the roof once was.
The demolition of St Michael's Church, Stourport, in July 1979. The church was being demolished to make way for a new building. The photograph shows David Beard working above the alter where the roof once was.
Sisters Jayne and Kim, of Arley Lane, Shatterford, were getting married on the same day at Arley Church, and then having their honeymoon together at Prestatyn, along with their pet Labrador, Goldie. The photograph shows Goldie with (left to right) Christopher Bunn, Kim Cooper, Jayne Cooper and David Mundie. May 5, 1981.
Sisters Jayne and Kim, of Arley Lane, Shatterford, were getting married on the same day at Arley Church, and then having their honeymoon together at Prestatyn, along with their pet Labrador, Goldie. The photograph shows Goldie with (left to right) Christopher Bunn, Kim Cooper, Jayne Cooper and David Mundie. May 5, 1981.
Eight-year-old Gavin Webb with part of the cowling of an Airspeed Oxford at Wassell Wood near Bewdley, found by his father in April 1981.
Eight-year-old Gavin Webb with part of the cowling of an Airspeed Oxford at Wassell Wood near Bewdley, found by his father in April 1981.
Nicola Taylor from Kidderminster was selected as a platoon pin-up girl 'Miss 3 Platoon' in December 1981. The story said: 'The town's Territorial Army wanted a pin-up so she could be photographed with members of the platoon and the picture used in army publications.' Here we see Nicola with Lance Corporal Bob Bateman (left) and Private Graham Jones.
Nicola Taylor from Kidderminster was selected as a platoon pin-up girl 'Miss 3 Platoon' in December 1981. The story said: 'The town's Territorial Army wanted a pin-up so she could be photographed with members of the platoon and the picture used in army publications.' Here we see Nicola with Lance Corporal Bob Bateman (left) and Private Graham Jones.
The official launch of a new airship from Hagley Hall was delayed because of high winds. The photograph shows Susan Doolittle from Stourport next to the gondola on April 16, 1981.
The official launch of a new airship from Hagley Hall was delayed because of high winds. The photograph shows Susan Doolittle from Stourport next to the gondola on April 16, 1981.
St George's Church, Radford Avenue, Kidderminster in July 1982.
St George's Church, Radford Avenue, Kidderminster in July 1982.
John Young of Aggborough Crescent, Kidderminster, could not make up his mind who to vote for in the 1983 General Election, so had put up posters for all three candidates in the windows of his home.
John Young of Aggborough Crescent, Kidderminster, could not make up his mind who to vote for in the 1983 General Election, so had put up posters for all three candidates in the windows of his home.
West Midlands Safari Park lion cub Joe was abandoned at birth by his mother, but a deputy warden at the Safari Park, Ian Dan-Netscher, brought him home to Newport in Shropshire and looked after him, as he had done previously for lioness Rosie and tigress Melody who featured on the BBC's Really Wild Show. The photograph shows Kathryn Dean-Netscher with the lion cub in January 1983.
West Midlands Safari Park lion cub Joe was abandoned at birth by his mother, but a deputy warden at the Safari Park, Ian Dan-Netscher, brought him home to Newport in Shropshire and looked after him, as he had done previously for lioness Rosie and tigress Melody who featured on the BBC's Really Wild Show. The photograph shows Kathryn Dean-Netscher with the lion cub in January 1983.
A 30 mile walk organised by employees of Brintons Carpets, Kidderminster, to celebrate the company bicentenary in April 1983.
A 30 mile walk organised by employees of Brintons Carpets, Kidderminster, to celebrate the company bicentenary in April 1983.
For the first time in several years, Kidderminster Art Gallery had a direct entrance to the street. Pictured on December 3, 1985, is Michael Dwight who was in charge of the gallery.
For the first time in several years, Kidderminster Art Gallery had a direct entrance to the street. Pictured on December 3, 1985, is Michael Dwight who was in charge of the gallery.
The No Fit State Circus Group, a Cardiff-based street theatre group, brought traffic to a standstill as they gave shows in Kidderminster and Bewdley as part of a programme of activities organised by Wyre Forest Council. The photograph shows Tom Rack, Rick Turner and Peter Gregory (on the unicycle) on a pelican crossing in Bewdley, on August 2, 1988.
The No Fit State Circus Group, a Cardiff-based street theatre group, brought traffic to a standstill as they gave shows in Kidderminster and Bewdley as part of a programme of activities organised by Wyre Forest Council. The photograph shows Tom Rack, Rick Turner and Peter Gregory (on the unicycle) on a pelican crossing in Bewdley, on August 2, 1988.
Putting up a new sign after expansion at Beakbane Ltd., Kidderminster. January 10, 1988.
Putting up a new sign after expansion at Beakbane Ltd., Kidderminster. January 10, 1988.
Hawkley Farm, Pensax, near Bewdley: Ramblers cut through barbed wire and ripped down illegal fencing to exercise their rights to walk on a public footpath crossing the land, after farmer Gerald Kincaid had blocked the path and threatened ramblers. The photograph shows Edgar Powell of the Hereford-Worcester branch of the Ramblers' Association and Kate Ashbrook cutting barbed wire on September 18, 1988.
Hawkley Farm, Pensax, near Bewdley: Ramblers cut through barbed wire and ripped down illegal fencing to exercise their rights to walk on a public footpath crossing the land, after farmer Gerald Kincaid had blocked the path and threatened ramblers. The photograph shows Edgar Powell of the Hereford-Worcester branch of the Ramblers' Association and Kate Ashbrook cutting barbed wire on September 18, 1988.
St John the Baptist Church, Wolverley. Church bells, which had been removed for renovation in October, had finally been rehung in the church tower. The photograph shows bell-hangers wheeling one of the bells through the churchyard on February 25, 1988.
St John the Baptist Church, Wolverley. Church bells, which had been removed for renovation in October, had finally been rehung in the church tower. The photograph shows bell-hangers wheeling one of the bells through the churchyard on February 25, 1988.
Stourport Methodist Church - the congregation was being evicted after the expiry of their lease on the building. The photograph shows Pauline Mothersdale with a plaque of John Wesley in the church in May 1989.
Stourport Methodist Church - the congregation was being evicted after the expiry of their lease on the building. The photograph shows Pauline Mothersdale with a plaque of John Wesley in the church in May 1989.
Margo Sadler selling tea towels to raise funds for the restoration of the church tower at St Peter's Church, Cookley, in February 1989.
Margo Sadler selling tea towels to raise funds for the restoration of the church tower at St Peter's Church, Cookley, in February 1989.
Brad Ostins, Sarah Owen, Dawn Stokes, Clare Stokes and Sarah Woolridge playing at Brinton Park, Kidderminster, on February 22, 1990.
Brad Ostins, Sarah Owen, Dawn Stokes, Clare Stokes and Sarah Woolridge playing at Brinton Park, Kidderminster, on February 22, 1990.
St Peter and St Paul Church, Rock, near Bewdley. Reverend Robin Mann was campaigning to raise money to repair the crumbling Norman church in September, 1992.
St Peter and St Paul Church, Rock, near Bewdley. Reverend Robin Mann was campaigning to raise money to repair the crumbling Norman church in September, 1992.

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