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Looking back: 27 pictures from Walsall Leather Museum’s past and protests - a town proud to fight for its heritage

As any local will tell you, Walsall is famous for its leather trade. It has proudly manufactured saddles and leather goods for the royal family over the years, with Queen Elizabeth II famously said she "never felt fully dressed without her handbag", crafted by Launer London, based in Walsall.

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By Tania Taylor
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With recent protests against the decision to move Walsall's Leather Museum from its current location on Littleton Street West, we take a look in pictures at some of the past exhibits, events and faces, plus a previous protest following plans to move the museum in 2016.   

Walsall's Mayor Alderman J A Thompson opened a museum of leathercraft in the town's central library and art gallery. Included were items loaned by the Council of the Museum of Leathercraft in London. The photograph shows saddlemaker Frank Mumford of Bernard Street, Walsall
May 1968 - Walsall's Mayor Alderman J A Thompson opened a museum of leathercraft in the town's central library and art gallery. Included were items loaned by the Council of the Museum of Leathercraft in London. The photograph shows saddlemaker Frank Mumford of Bernard Street, Walsall. The workshop is a replica of the type in use when he was a boy at the turn of the century.
Part of Walsall Leather Museum exhibits at Walsall Library in January 1970
Part of Walsall Leather Museum exhibits at Walsall Library in January 1970
WALSALL ALAN EVANS COPYRIGHT EXPRESS & STAR 15/02/17with video . A new exhibition at Walsall Leather Museum of Stainless Steel wares produced in Bloxwich by William Wiggin. Factory staff from 1978
Walsall Leather Museum factory staff in 1978
Ready to play a new role in Walsall's historic leather trade, the building in Littleton Street, pictured in 1986, which was to be opened two years later by the Princess Royal as Walsall Leather Museum
Ready to play a new role in Walsall's historic leather trade, the building in Littleton Street, pictured in 1986, which was to be opened two years later by the Princess Royal as Walsall Leather Museum
The Princess Royal talks to Frank Egan, who demonstrated the craft of edging leather on 10 June 1988
The Princess Royal talks to Frank Egan, who demonstrated the craft of edging leather on 10 June 1988
February 2013 - Walsall Leather Museum have seen a big increase in visitor numbers. Pictured is Mike Glasson from the museum
February 2013 - Walsall Leather Museum saw a big increase in visitor numbers. Pictured is Mike Glasson from the museum
August 2015 - Pictures from a fun day event taking place at the Walsall Leather Museum. Badge maker Freya Cox is pictured with Paige Coley (9) and her brother Jacob Coley (11)
August 2015 - Pictures from a fun day event taking place at the Walsall Leather Museum. Badge maker Freya Cox is pictured with Paige Coley and her brother Jacob Coley
Moossaa Malik (left) celebrating his 10th birthday at the fun day event at the museum, pictured with his Maryam Malik aged-11.
2015 - Moossaa Malik (left) celebrating his 10th birthday at the fun day event at the museum, pictured with his Maryam Malik
Protestors outside Walsall Leather Museum in November 2016. They are against the plans to relocate the museum to the Central Library
Protestors outside Walsall Leather Museum in November 2016. They are against the plans to relocate the museum to the Central Library