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.
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.
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
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
The Princess Royal talks to Frank Egan, who demonstrated the craft of edging leather on 10 June 1988
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 and her brother Jacob Coley
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
The New Art Gallery Walsall protest against the proposed closure of the art gallery, libraries and leather museum in 2016
2016 - The New Art Gallery Walsall protest against the proposed closure of the art gallery, libraries and leather museum. Left to right we have: Peter Vigurs, Bob / Roberta Smith, and Gavin Wade
An exhibition at Walsall Leather Museum of Stainless Steel wares produced in Bloxwich by William Wiggin opened in 2017. Pictured is Mike Glasson with part of a Balmoral tea set
One of the old pictures on display at the 2017 Stainless Steel wares exhibition. Pictured is a factory worker with lots of tea pots
Another picture on display at the 2017 Stainless Steel wares exhibition. Pictured is Charlie Teppin polishing a pot
Official unveiling of the William James Thompson plaque at Walsall Leather Museum. Mayor Marco Longhi and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Walsall Colonel Tom Lloyd next to the newly unveiled William James Thompson plaque on 17 November 2017
The William James Thompson plaque at Walsall Leather Museum unveiled on 17 November 2017
Easter event at Walsall Leather Museum in 2017. Kris Katchitt welcomed the visitors
Sarah Carrot of Moon Carrot puppet show at the 2017 Easter event at the museum
Celebrating 30 years of Walsall Leather Museum in 2018. Pictured is Francesca Cox from the museum with bunting and a cake as she prepares for the open day celebrations
Afternoon Stitchers and Scivers craft club looking for more members in 2019. Pictured at the museum is Francesca Cox with back left, Lynne Moran and Louise Platt
Walsall Leather Museum reopened its doors to visitors on 6 August 2020 for the first time since March that year. Promoting the reopening of Walsall Leather Museum, and in particular the temporary exhibition Town of a Hundred Trades, championing local companies from the past. Cllr Garry Perry and collections officer Catherine Lister at the museum
Cllr Garry Perry next to a sign dating between 1965 and 1973 for Job Wheway and Son, a Walsall chain making company
One youngster gets hands-on at Walsall Leather Museum in 2018
Creative visitors to a 2018 event
Do you have any pictures from the past you would like to share with us?
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