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16 striking images from the early 1960s across the Black Country and Staffordshire that invite reflection

Take a moment to pause and reflect with this evocative gallery.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

These striking images from 1960 to 1965 offer glimpses of a bygone era, stirring nostalgia and inviting you to linger over the stories they tell...

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It's not exactly a bed of roses, but Dudley's Coronation Garden's proved an attractive spot for this man to take forty winks in the July sunshine in 1965
It's not exactly a bed of roses, but Dudley's Coronation Garden's proved an attractive spot for this man to take forty winks in the July sunshine in 1965.
Just the place to enjoy the sunny weather, in the paddling pool at Ravenhill recreation ground at Brereton near Rugeley, in July 1964.
A summer’s day in July 1964 at Ravenhill Recreation Ground, Brereton, near Rugeley, where the paddling pool offered simple joys beneath the shadow of the power station’s cooling towers.
August 1962 - Fred Abel, of 'the smallest show on Earth.' The caption said: 'Ringmaster and proprietor, Fred Abel, is seen preparing breakfast near Penkridge, surrounded by the principal 'actors' in his one man circus, the donkey, the border terrier, and the star of the show 'Towser, the wonder dog.' Fred, who advertises on the side of his caravan 'the smallest show on earth' has had, he says, 'a shocking season, the worst since the show went 'on tour' 13 years ago.'
August 1962 – Fred Abel of 'the smallest show on Earth.' The caption reads: 'Ringmaster and proprietor Fred Abel prepares breakfast near Penkridge, surrounded by the principal "actors" of his one-man circus: a donkey, a border terrier, and the star of the show, Towser the wonder dog. Fred, whose caravan proudly advertises "the smallest show on Earth," says he has had "a shocking season, the worst since the show went on tour 13 years ago."'
March 14, 1964 – members of the League Against Cruel Sports gathered at Chesterton, near Bridgnorth, campaigning for a cause close to their hearts, a snapshot of community spirit and activism from a bygone era.
March 14, 1964 – members of the League Against Cruel Sports gathered at Chesterton, near Bridgnorth, campaigning for a cause close to their hearts, a snapshot of community spirit and activism from a bygone era.