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Cosford and Albrighton memories: 17 pictures of faces from the past - see who you remember!

Here’s a fantastic gallery of familiar faces spanning the late 1950s through to the mid-1990s.

By Tania Taylor
Published
Last updated

From ’60s mums with prams after the baby boom, to ’70s hairstyles, a ‘mammoth’ exhibition in the ’80s, and even Howards' Way TV stars in the ’90s — this collection captures decades of local life. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane from the Star’s archive.

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Albrighton ladies football team in 1959. This picture was shared by John Gunnell, whose father, James Gunnell, used to be a photographer and took the photo. John's mother Mollie Gunnell is on the picture. It was a novelty or charity event. John names them as back row: Reenie Francis (sic), Joyce Polak, Annie Millward, Dot Humphreys, Jean Davies, Eva Medlyn. Front, Mollie Gunnell, Marg Millward, Joyce Bevan, Jean Churm, Doreen Hookey, Bill Crutchley and Jack Weston.
Albrighton ladies football team in 1959. This picture was shared by John Gunnell, whose father, James Gunnell, used to be a photographer and took the photo. John's mother Mollie Gunnell is on the picture. It was a novelty or charity event. John names them as back row: Reenie Francis, Joyce Polak, Annie Millward, Dot Humphreys, Jean Davies, Eva Medlyn. Front, Mollie Gunnell, Marg Millward, Joyce Bevan, Jean Churm, Doreen Hookey, Bill Crutchley and Jack Weston.
Albrighton Football Club players and officials in 1963. The caption reads: 'Albrighton Football Club players and officials have good reason to look happy on this picture, which shows them with the Wellington League first division trophy. Last season they won the trophy for the first time after a remarkable season in which they did not lose a single match. Out of 43 games they won 42, drawing one. The season before last they were runners up. Albrighton's league luck did not, however, extend to cup competitions. They were quickly eliminated from the Bridgnorth Infirmary Cup, the Shropshire Junior Cup, and the J W Hunt Cup. Maybe this season will be their cup season.'
Albrighton Football Club players and officials in 1963. The caption reads: 'Albrighton Football Club players and officials have good reason to look happy on this picture, which shows them with the Wellington League first division trophy. Last season they won the trophy for the first time after a remarkable season in which they did not lose a single match. Out of 43 games they won 42, drawing one. The season before last they were runners up. Albrighton's league luck did not, however, extend to cup competitions. They were quickly eliminated from the Bridgnorth Infirmary Cup, the Shropshire Junior Cup, and the J W Hunt Cup. Maybe this season will be their cup season.'
St Mary Magdalene, Albrighton, January 15, 1965. Part of the caption reads: 'Mothers collect their prams at the parish church doorway after a service. .... population boom and a baby boom to cope with Albrighton... the vicar hopes the services will help village newcomers get to know the established residents.'
St Mary Magdalene, Albrighton, January 15, 1965. Some parts of the caption are unreadable, but we can make out the following: 'Mothers collect their prams at the parish church doorway after a service. .... population boom and a baby boom to cope with Albrighton... the vicar hopes the services will help village newcomers get to know the established residents.'
February 1, 1971. The caption reads: 'Signalman Mr Cecil Evans, of Pitchford Road, Albrighton, who retires on March 27 after 48 years on the railways. He has been at Cosford for 12 years. Before that he worked at Codsall for 13 years.'
February 1, 1971. The caption reads: 'Signalman Mr Cecil Evans, of Pitchford Road, Albrighton, who retires on March 27 after 48 years on the railways. He has been at Cosford for 12 years. Before that he worked at Codsall for 13 years.'
'Kathleen Perks puts the finishing touches to Barbara Toovey's hairstyle at last night's hair and fashion show at Albrighton County Junior School in aid of Albrighton's playgroup.' The picture was taken on November 9, 1971.
'Kathleen Perks puts the finishing touches to Barbara Toovey's hairstyle at last night's hair and fashion show at Albrighton County Junior School in aid of Albrighton's playgroup.' The picture was taken on November 9, 1971.
A picture from July 1975, with a caption: 'Outside the hall... some of Albrighton’s ‘sacked’ soccer kids'. It related to a story about 60 youngsters aged four to 10 who were controversially being forced to leave their practice centre at the Fellowship Hall at Albrighton.
A picture from July 1975, with a caption: 'Outside the hall... some of Albrighton’s ‘sacked’ soccer kids'. It related to a story about 60 youngsters aged four to 10 who were controversially being forced to leave their practice centre at the Fellowship Hall at Albrighton.
RAF Cosford Hospital. A bazaar was held to raise funds for the League of Friends. The photograph shows (left) Christine Heginbotham and Jane Milk selling cakes in November 1976.
RAF Cosford Hospital. A bazaar was held to raise funds for the League of Friends. The photograph shows (left) Christine Heginbotham and Jane Milk selling cakes in November 1976.
Dan Wright (right) of the Albrighton Scout Unit displayed a model of a Solent class lifeboat, the City of Birmingham, outside his house, alongside an inshore lifeboat, both of which were to be displayed at the Albrighton Scout and Guides' summer fair. Pictured left is Malcolm Pate, chairman of the parents supporters association, June 16, 1977.
Dan Wright (right) of the Albrighton Scout Unit displayed a model of a Solent class lifeboat, the City of Birmingham, outside his house, alongside an inshore lifeboat, both of which were to be displayed at the Albrighton Scout and Guides' summer fair. Pictured left is Malcolm Pate, chairman of the parents supporters association, June 16, 1977.
Members of Albrighton Wives Club presented a shield to Albrighton Fire Service to show appreciation of their work. The photograph includes Linda Hodgkiss, Doug Head and Dorothy Mack.
Members of Albrighton Wives Club presented a shield to Albrighton Fire Service to show appreciation of their work. The photograph includes Linda Hodgkiss, Doug Head and Dorothy Mack on May 12, 1978.
Civilian workers at RAF Cosford staged a one-day strike as part of a national protest in support of a pay claim on July 19, 1978.
Civilian workers at RAF Cosford staged a one-day strike as part of a national protest in support of a pay claim on July 19, 1978.
In May 1980, Julie and Steve Harris of High Street in Pensnett won a flight on board the Goodyear airship Europa at a recent Wolverhampton Press Ball which raised money for local charities, and they took off from RAF Cosford.
In May 1980, Julie and Steve Harris of High Street in Pensnett won a flight on board the Goodyear airship Europa at a recent Wolverhampton Press Ball which raised money for local charities, and they took off from RAF Cosford.
Training at the Joint School of Photography, RAF Cosford, in May 1983. The WRENs in the photograph are (from left) Julie Scholes, Leslie Hyder, Gillian Chance, Jane Robertson and Sally Howard.
Training at the Joint School of Photography, RAF Cosford, in May 1983. The WRENs in the photograph are (from left) Julie Scholes, Leslie Hyder, Gillian Chance, Jane Robertson and Sally Howard.
March 25, 1988: 'A mammoth task... the centrepieces of the Shropshire Mammoth exhibition arrived at the Aerospace Museum at Cosford with the help of airmen yesterday. The life size models, inspired by the mammoth bones found at Condover, have been built from plastic and steel and will form part of the display due to be officially opened on April 1.'
March 25, 1988, the caption reads: 'A mammoth task... the centrepieces of the Shropshire Mammoth exhibition arrived at the Aerospace Museum at Cosford with the help of airmen yesterday. The life size models, inspired by the mammoth bones found at Condover, have been built from plastic and steel and will form part of the display due to be officially opened on April 1.'
Antique Artillery, Albrighton. The firm completed an order for bronze cannons to be fitted to a large schooner in the Balearic Isles. A. Fryer and Son of Willenhall and Summit Engineering of Wolverhampton are mentioned. The photograph shows Mike Burke (right) and Andy Melia (left) with Jim Bowen (centre). June 7, 1990.
Antique Artillery, Albrighton. The firm completed an order for bronze cannons to be fitted to a large schooner in the Balearic Isles. A. Fryer and Son of Willenhall and Summit Engineering of Wolverhampton are mentioned. The photograph shows Mike Burke (right) and Andy Melia (left) with Jim Bowen (centre). June 7, 1990.
Joan Ash of Codsall, visited the West Midlands Air Ambulance at RAF Cosford after they rescued her from her car after a crash on the A449 at Coven, as part of a fundraising drive. The photograph shows Joan Ash with (left to right) Dave Goodwin, Nick Broad and Garry Evans on July 28, 1992.
Joan Ash of Codsall, visited the West Midlands Air Ambulance at RAF Cosford after they rescued her from her car after a crash on the A449 at Coven, as part of a fundraising drive. The photograph shows Joan Ash with (left to right) Dave Goodwin, Nick Broad and Garry Evans on July 28, 1992.
Jan Harvey and Stephen Yardley from television series Howard's Way presenting money to Nick Richards, the winner of a prize draw organised to support the air ambulance. Jeremy Penn-Ashman is also in the photograph taken on May 4, 1993.
Jan Harvey and Stephen Yardley from television series Howards' Way presenting money to Nick Richards, the winner of a prize draw organised to support the air ambulance. Jeremy Penn-Ashman is also in the photograph taken on May 4, 1993.
A charity football match was arranged between trainees at RAF Cosford and Wolverhampton's Beacon Radio staff, to raise money for the West Midlands air ambulance. The photograph shows (from left) Nigel Dolman, Bob Chandler and Stan Ahmed. March 16, 1994.
A charity football match was arranged between trainees at RAF Cosford and Wolverhampton's Beacon Radio staff, to raise money for the West Midlands air ambulance. The photograph shows (from left) Nigel Dolman, Bob Chandler and Stan Ahmed. March 16, 1994.

Let us know if you recognise anyone in the comments below...