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19 must-see photos capturing life in Wolverhampton in 1968

This nostalgic collection of pictures captures life across the city in 1968.

By Tania Taylor
Published

From bird's eye views to historic buildings, the gallery offers a glimpse of Wolverhampton’s streets 58 years ago.

Enjoy this trip down memory lane from the Express & Star archives, and share your own memories in the comments.

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Worcester Street junction, Wolverhampton, in July 1968
Worcester Street junction, Wolverhampton, in July 1968
March 2, 1968, another aerial view across Wolverhampton, the caption reads: 'Although the Mander Centre, Wolverhampton, was formally opened by the Mayor, Alderman E Y Fullwood today, and while the tower office block to the centre is partly occupied, the centre is still very much a shell plus much-needed parking for about 550 cars. Really what was opened today is a series of pedestrian walkways through the centre. Two or three shops are ready for business. Many more are to come, but for some time the centre will be a place of vacant boxes that one day will be shops. Among those to come include a 54,000 square feet department store for Owen Owen, a Tesco supermarket, and a Timothy White and Taylors shop, to name but a few.'
March 2, 1968, and aerial view across Wolverhampton, the caption reads: 'Although the Mander Centre, Wolverhampton, was formally opened by the Mayor, Alderman E Y Fullwood today, and while the tower office block to the centre is partly occupied, the centre is still very much a shell plus much-needed parking for about 550 cars. Really what was opened today is a series of pedestrian walkways through the centre. Two or three shops are ready for business. Many more are to come, but for some time the centre will be a place of vacant boxes that one day will be shops. Among those to come include a 54,000 square feet department store for Owen Owen, a Tesco supermarket, and a Timothy White and Taylors shop, to name but a few.'
This picture dates from June 1968 and shows the Sight and Sound Education touch-typing school in Broad Street, Wolverhampton. The accompanying caption said in part: 'The first batch of students passed out of a new touch-typing school in Wolverhampton today - only 12 days after the course started. The school teaches typing by a new method which can bring pupils up to the same level of proficiency after 12 daily lessons of one hour each, as they would reach by learning to type by other methods in 18 months.'
This picture dates from June 1968 and shows the Sight and Sound Education touch-typing school in Broad Street, Wolverhampton. The accompanying caption said in part: 'The first batch of students passed out of a new touch-typing school in Wolverhampton today - only 12 days after the course started. The school teaches typing by a new method which can bring pupils up to the same level of proficiency after 12 daily lessons of one hour each, as they would reach by learning to type by other methods in 18 months.'
The Queen's ballroom, Wolverhampton, when it closed, the original caption reads: 'Wolverhampton's only full time ballroom, the Queen's, closed on New Year's Eve and now the town's teenagers must travel elsewhere if they want to go dancing.' The poster on the right seems to read: 'Top Rank Dancing. Owing to unforeseen difficulties we regret to announce the closure of the Queens Ballroom effective from 30th Dec, 1968.'
The Queen's ballroom, Wolverhampton, when it closed, the original caption reads: 'Wolverhampton's only full time ballroom, the Queen's, closed on New Year's Eve and now the town's teenagers must travel elsewhere if they want to go dancing.' The poster on the right seems to read: 'Top Rank Dancing. Owing to unforeseen difficulties we regret to announce the closure of the Queens Ballroom effective from 30th Dec, 1968.'
Circa 1968, an aerial view of Wolverhampton, with the Beatties store lower left, and as work on the Mander Centre is under way.
Circa 1968, an aerial view of Wolverhampton, with the Beatties store lower left, and as work on the Mander Centre is under way.
February 7, 1986: 'Precautions against foot and mouth were being used at Wolverhampton cattle market yesterday which was opened for the first time since foot and mouth restrictions came into force in November.'
February 7, 1986: 'Precautions against foot and mouth were being used at Wolverhampton cattle market yesterday which was opened for the first time since foot and mouth restrictions came into force in November.'
The dismantling of Wolverhampton's historic first traffic lights in 1968.
The dismantling of Wolverhampton's historic first traffic lights in 1968.
Wightwick Manor, pictured in December 1968, showing the elaborate gables and timbers carved with patterns of Gothic design. The car is a Sunbeam Stiletto.
Wightwick Manor, pictured in December 1968, showing the elaborate gables and timbers carved with patterns of Gothic design. The car is a Sunbeam Stiletto.
The scout HQ 1968 at the 1st Bilston Scout Group, Bilston, Wolverhampton.
The scout HQ 1968 at the 1st Bilston Scout Group, Bilston, Wolverhampton.
Sainsbury?s opened a store in September 1968 in the Wulfrun Centre and in January 1988 opened on a site in St George?s Parade which incorporated the preservation of the church within it.As shopping in Wolverhampton continues to thrive and still change, two of the biggest projects in the pipeline are the \u00a318 million refurbishment of the Mander Centre and plans by Sainsbury?s to build a new store in Raglan Street.l Information for this Memory Lane came from What?s Happened to Wolverhampton, by Ned Williams. It is no longer in print but copies can be found in public libraries......The Mander Centre in 1968, open to the elements, with empty shops and featuring Barbara Hepworth's statue Rock Form-Portcurno colour print
The Mander Centre in 1968, open to the elements, with empty shops and featuring Barbara Hepworth's statue Rock Form-Porthcurno.
The Express Cafe on Queen Street, Wolverhampton, pictured in 1986. It was due to close and turn into a Spar shop.
The Express Cafe on Queen Street, Wolverhampton, pictured in 1986. It was due to close and turn into a Spar shop.
The only information with this print is 'New ambulance Headquarters in Wolverhampton, October 1968.'
The only information with this print is 'New ambulance Headquarters in Wolverhampton, October 1968.'
The Saron Chapel, a Welsh speaking church in Wolverhampton, at its opening service in 1968.
The Saron Chapel, a Welsh speaking church in Wolverhampton, at its opening service in 1968.
July 12, 1968: 'The remainder of section three of the Wolverhampton Ring Road 'between Darlington Street and Waterloo Road' came smoothly into operation this morning. Only minutes after the last workmen left the road, traffic wardens stepped out into the middle of the Waterloo Road/Bath Road junction and transformed the former two-way section of the ring road into a one way carriageway, and opened the new section to traffic coming up from the Chapel Ash direction to Waterloo Road.'
July 12, 1968: 'The remainder of section three of the Wolverhampton Ring Road 'between Darlington Street and Waterloo Road' came smoothly into operation this morning. Only minutes after the last workmen left the road, traffic wardens stepped out into the middle of the Waterloo Road/Bath Road junction and transformed the former two-way section of the ring road into a one way carriageway, and opened the new section to traffic coming up from the Chapel Ash direction to Waterloo Road.'
A march for Britain and for Freedom of Speech. Protesters backing Enoch Powell's right to voice his concerns over mass immigration take to the streets in April 1968. They are pictured walking down the Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, after leaving the town's St Peter's Gardens, bound for Dudley.
A march for Britain and for Freedom of Speech. Protesters backing Enoch Powell's right to voice his concerns over mass immigration take to the streets in April 1968. They are pictured walking down the Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, after leaving the town's St Peter's Gardens, bound for Dudley.
June 6, 1968. Demolition work has been completed on the former Palais de Danse, in Temple Street, Wolverhampton, behind Clarkson's store. Mr G A Long, store manager and accountant, has discovered that the building was erected in 1782 as a place of worship. Originally the chapel had a burial ground surrounding it - but this is now the main car park for the store. Around 1840, the Temple Street congregation merged with Cleveland Street Congregational Church and raised funds to build the Congregational Church at Snowhill.
June 6, 1968. Demolition work has been completed on the former Palais de Danse, in Temple Street, Wolverhampton, behind Clarkson's store. Mr G A Long, store manager and accountant, has discovered that the building was erected in 1782 as a place of worship. Originally the chapel had a burial ground surrounding it - but this is now the main car park for the store. Around 1840, the Temple Street congregation merged with Cleveland Street Congregational Church and raised funds to build the Congregational Church at Snowhill.
The Duke of Edinburgh on the shop floor at Wolverhampton's Chubb and Sons Safe and Lock Co Ltd, in February 1968, with Jack Leighton, of Old Fallings Lane, Wolverhampton.
The Duke of Edinburgh on the shop floor at Wolverhampton's Chubb and Sons Safe and Lock Co Ltd, in February 1968, with Jack Leighton, of Old Fallings Lane, Wolverhampton.
February 6, 1968 - snow bound traffic in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton.
February 6, 1968 - snow bound traffic in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton.
July 3, 1968: 'Students relax in the new library.'
July 3, 1968: 'Students relax in the new library.'