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Nine amazing pictures of Stafford in 1977 - how many do you remember?

Stafford was a town seeing dramatic changes in 1977.

By Mark Andrews
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The Royal Brine baths, a staple in the town since 1892, were unceremoniously demolished, having been declared to be structurally unsafe. The new Civic Centre was about to spring up in their place.

As a crane driver on the new construction site, Frank Simpson had a better view than most into the changing face of the town, and one of our photographers was invited to join in him in his view from the sky as the building work took place.

Frank Simpson was the man with a view of the changing face of Stafford back in 1977. He was one of the crane drivers on the new civic centre site when it was being built in the heart of the town.
Frank Simpson was the man with a view of the changing face of Stafford back in 1977. He was one of the crane drivers on the new civic centre site when it was being built in the heart of the town.

Like most towns, Stafford got into the party mood as it marked the Queen's silver jubilee. Yet it was a very different Queen that was making history up the road at Bingley Hall, when Freddie Mercury's rock band put in an unforgettable performance.

Gearing up for the encore, the audience began singing You'll Never Walk Alone, giving guitarist Brian May the idea or writing a song purely for audience participation. He came up with a ditty entitled We Will Rock You, and it is fair to say that captured the imagination of the fans.

Changes were also taking place at the former US Army Camp in Yarnfield, which was being redeveloped by its new owner, the Post Office training school. Sadly., it meant the loss of some murals painted by Sergeant Lew Sahilka of the American 8th Army Air Force, who painted them to raise morale during the Second World War. Our picture shows Bill Wellings of the Post Office taking a last look at them. 

These distinctive murals painted by Sergeant Lew Sahilka of the American 8th Army Air Force during the Second World War were about to disappear in February as am bungalow used by US forces was set to be demolished. The bungalow formed part of the US base at Yarnfield, which was by the 1970s being used by the Post Office as a training centre. Pictured in front of the murals was Bill Wellings of the training school.
These distinctive murals painted by Sergeant Lew Sahilka of the American 8th Army Air Force during the Second World War were about to disappear in February as am bungalow used by US forces was set to be demolished. The bungalow formed part of the US base at Yarnfield, which was by the 1970s being used by the Post Office as a training centre. Pictured in front of the murals was Bill Wellings of the training school.

Meanwhile Stafford teenager David Oakley was also showing a talent for making things disappear when he won an award for young magicians at the tender age of 18.

David had only been a member of the Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians for six months, but already had several specialities including the Chinese linking-rings trick

'There's more to magic than pulling rabbits out of a hat and David Oakley proved this when he won a competition for young members of Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians. David, aged 18, of Stafford, is pictured showing the other competitors a sample of the act which won him the William Stevens Shield last night. David has only been a member of the circle for about six months but already has several specialities including the Chinese linking-rings trick. Also pictured, from left, are: Tony Salmon, of Wolverhampton; Mark Fletcher, of Sedgley; Linda Blount, of Coven; Leigh Stanley, of Cannock; and Lawson Siviter, of Kingswinford.\
David Oakley, 18, shows other fellow young magicians a sample of the act which won him the William Stevens Shield. Also pictured, from left, are: Tony Salmon, of Wolverhampton; Mark Fletcher, of Sedgley; Linda Blount, of Coven; Leigh Stanley, of Cannock; and Lawson Siviter, of Kingswinford.

Also needing major building work was the 18th century Walk Mill in Eccleshall, where damaged caused by a falling beech tree had been estimated at £310,000,

The mill, built in 1792 and owned by the Sugnall Hall Estate, was still being used to grind corn. The miller, Mr Edmund Howell, rented the building from the estate and delivers corn in the Eccleshall area.

This picture, taken in April, shows damaged to the 18th century Walk Mill, caused by a falling beech tree. It was estimated that the repairs could cost £310,000.
This picture, taken in April, shows damaged to the 18th century Walk Mill, in Eccleshall, caused by a falling beech tree. It was estimated that the repairs could cost £310,000.

Storms had also left their mark on Eccleshall's Holy Trinity Church, requiring half the pinnacles to be removed from the tower. Fortunately, parishioners had raised thousands of pounds for the work, 

Parishioners at Eccleshall, near Stafford, raised thousands of pounds to repair storm damage to their church. Work on the tower would involve the removal of half of its pinnacles.
Parishioners at Eccleshall, near Stafford, raised thousands of pounds to repair storm damage to their church. Work on the tower would involve the removal of half of its pinnacles.

The church was still able to host a service attended by 120 members of the 206 Coy Royal Pioneers in September, which followed a march along the village high street.

The Army helped pack Eccleshall parish church following a march down the village high street. A detachment of 120 members of 206 Coy Royal Pioneers were joined by other organisations for the parade after the service in September 1977.
The Army helped pack Eccleshall parish church following a march down the village high street. A detachment of 120 members of 206 Coy Royal Pioneers were joined by other organisations for the parade after the service in September 1977.

Meanwhile, Eccleshall antique dealer Thomas Timmins had tapped into a thriving market selling pub signs in Australia. His assistant Bill Lindop was pictured with some of the signs in September.

Stafford antique dealer Thomas Timmins had tapped into a thriving market selling pub signs to Australia from his antique shop in Eccleshall in 1977. Pictured with some of the signs was Bill Lindop, aged 65, who had been helping out in the shop since he retired.
Stafford antique dealer Thomas Timmins had tapped into a thriving market selling pub signs to Australia from his antique shop in Eccleshall in 1977. Pictured with some of the signs was Bill Lindop, aged 65, who had been helping out in the shop since he retired.

RAF Stafford had been a major part in the town since it opened in 1939, and its personnel marked Battle of Britain Day in September with a march through Greengate Street into Market Square. Squadron Leader Alliston and the mayor of Stafford took the salute.

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The men of RAF Stafford marching through Greengate Street into Market Square during the Battle of Britain Parade. Taking the Salute on the platform on the right are Squadron Leader Alliston and the Mayor of Stafford.
The men of RAF Stafford marching through Greengate Street into Market Square during the Battle of Britain Parade. Taking the salute on the platform on the right are Squadron Leader Alliston and the Mayor of Stafford.

Meanwhile, Wilf Mather of Great Bridgeford was presented with an electric drill as he marked his retirement from the RAF base. He was presented with the gift by Air Vice-Marshall Jimmy Gill.

... . .. .Wilf Mather, of Whitgreave Lane, Great Bridgeford, is presented with an electric drill, a gift from colleague, by Air vice-marshal Jimmy Gill, to mark his retirement from RAF Stafford in August 1977. Pictures from the Past are available, at 10x8ins and cost \u00a311.50, Copyright Express & Star. Call 01902 313131.. sep9staoldpic | 07 Sep 2016 MS ssep8staoldpic
... . .. .Wilf Mather, of Whitgreave Lane, Great Bridgeford, is presented with an electric drill, a gift from colleague, by Air vice-marshal Jimmy Gill, to mark his retirement from RAF Stafford in August 1977. Pictures from the Past are available, at 10x8ins and cost \u00a311.50, Copyright Express & Star. Call 01902 313131.. sep9staoldpic | 07 Sep 2016 MS ssep8staoldpic