Close

Dudley in the '80s: 23 pictures to transport you back to an iconic era - see what you remember!

Today we take a look at life across Dudley in the 1980s.

Plus
By Tania Taylor
Published

From the latest trends in kitchen design to a wandering dog joining ambulance workers on the picket line, a Spitting Image–style Margaret Thatcher, a papier-mâché pig, and Dudley Council announcing a ‘no children’ policy in a pioneering plan, this collection provides a fascinating glimpse into the era. 

Step back in time with images from the Express & Star's archives.

  • You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country - all sent to your inbox every Friday. Sign up here

Worcester House, Halesowen, was the first to benefit from a pioneering Dudley Council plan to turn the flats into luxury apartments with a "no children" policy, to reduce vandalism and move families out of high rise blocks. The photograph shows Alice Fellows using a carpet sweeper in January 1980.
Worcester House, Halesowen, was the first to benefit from a pioneering Dudley Council plan to turn the flats into luxury apartments with a "no children" policy, to reduce vandalism and move families out of high rise blocks. The photograph shows Alice Fellows using a carpet sweeper in January 1980.
Paramedics from Bremen, Germany, visited their unofficial "twin" town of Dudley on a friendship visit. The photograph shows Hans-Juurgen Krusche (left) and Lars Kopmann comparing their ambulance (left) to the Dudley one with Bill Cody and Bob Cartwright in August 1987.
Paramedics from Bremen, Germany, visited their unofficial "twin" town of Dudley on a friendship visit. The photograph shows Hans-Juurgen Krusche (left) and Lars Kopmann comparing their ambulance (left) to the Dudley one with Bill Cody and Bob Cartwright in August 1987.
Pupils at Pensnett School took part in an afternoon of fundraising events, including a sponsored walk, sponsored spell, skating and computer games, to held leukaemia patients at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, and Norman Williams of Corbyns Close in Pensnett presented to pupils with two teddy bear mascots as a thank you. The photograph shows Stephen Lewis, Hardeep Bidi and Maxine Bagley with the bears in November 1986.
Pupils at Pensnett School took part in an afternoon of fundraising events, including a sponsored walk, sponsored spell, skating and computer games, to held leukaemia patients at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, and Norman Williams of Corbyns Close in Pensnett presented to pupils with two teddy bear mascots as a thank you. The photograph shows Stephen Lewis, Hardeep Bidi and Maxine Bagley with the bears in November 1986.
March 1982: Conservative councillors at a secret meeting of the Dudley policy committee had proposed evicting tenants from their flats in New Street, so that the council could turn them into offices. The residents formed an association and distributed protest letters.
March 1982: Conservative councillors at a secret meeting of the Dudley policy committee had proposed evicting tenants from their flats in New Street, so that the council could turn them into offices. The residents formed an association and distributed protest letters.
The two-day Dudley Show at Himely Hall had started with overnight and morning rain, after weeks of sunshine, which threatened to turn the grassy areas to mud. The photograph shows Ken Wilson polishing his 1966 E-Type Jaguar, with Alan Jones holding an umbrella, and Frank Lait (left) and Joe Flavell alongside in August 1984.
The two-day Dudley Show at Himely Hall had started with overnight and morning rain, after weeks of sunshine, which threatened to turn the grassy areas to mud. The photograph shows Ken Wilson polishing his 1966 E-Type Jaguar, with Alan Jones holding an umbrella, and Frank Lait (left) and Joe Flavell alongside in August 1984.
Dudley Action Sport Returns, Mons Hill School. The group had founded Dudley's first women's football team and was appealing for more players in order to enrol in the Women's Football League in the forthcoming season. The photograph shows (from left) Paula Smith, Karen Rowlinson, Tracy Wilkes, Ann Greenfield, Jane Richardson, Kerry Cooper, Tania Wishart and Karen Powell in February 1983.
Dudley Action Sport Returns, Mons Hill School. The group had founded Dudley's first women's football team and was appealing for more players in order to enrol in the Women's Football League in the forthcoming season. The photograph shows (from left) Paula Smith, Karen Rowlinson, Tracy Wilkes, Ann Greenfield, Jane Richardson, Kerry Cooper, Tania Wishart and Karen Powell in February 1983.