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Wolverhampton retro: 27 pictures from across the city in 1969 that may bring back memories

This collection of photos show our city more than half a century ago.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

Featuring iconic buildings dominating the streets, and the familiar faces who walked beneath them - join us as we look back at some of these memorable scenes from the Express & Star picture archive: snapshots of the past we hope you’ll enjoy.

A scheme to convert the former Drill Hall on Stafford Street, Wolverhampton, into a multi-sports centre was going before the Town Council for approval in January 1969
A scheme to convert the former Drill Hall on Stafford Street, Wolverhampton, into a multi-sports centre was going before the Town Council for approval in January 1969
Reference: MMNAMMGLPICT000001458590It might be Budget day, but it is unlikely the Chancellor will be able to turn back the clock to the time when shoppers could snap up suits for \u00a36 each, as the crowds at Wolverhampton\u2019s Beatties store did in January, 1969Used for letters page September 25 2004.Used for letters page again March 12 2008. Loaded LETTERS1 12MAR.jpg from Images/weslocal/scans/ on 11/03/2008 colour print
'It might be Budget day, but it is unlikely the Chancellor will be able to turn back the clock to the time when shoppers could snap up suits for £6 each, as the crowds at Wolverhampton's Beatties store did in January, 1969.'
Gerry Fowler, Wrekin MP and Joint Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Technology, arrived at Wolverhampton College of Technology yesterday to give a talk and found only a handful of students waiting for him. But Mr Fowler went on with his speech on 'Education for the technologist of the future.' And at the end, the student who organised the forum said he would resign from the organising committee because of the poor support. Tony Miller, a fourth year student on a business studies course, told Mr Fowler at the end of the forum: 'I am sorry about the small audience. I don't know how to apologise... When Enoch Powell and Mary Whitehouse were here, we had a packed hall...' The event was held on Friday, January 10, 1969.
Gerry Fowler, Wrekin MP and Joint Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Technology, arrived at Wolverhampton College of Technology on January 10, 1969, to give a talk and found only a handful of students waiting for him. But Mr Fowler went on with his speech on 'Education for the technologist of the future.' And at the end, the student who organised the forum said he would resign from the organising committee because of the poor support. Tony Miller, a fourth year student on a business studies course, told Mr Fowler at the end of the forum: 'I am sorry about the small audience. I don't know how to apologise... When Enoch Powell and Mary Whitehouse were here, we had a packed hall...'
Four Wolverhampton firms in use: a Guy lorry, fitted with a Thompson trailer, carrying Chubb safes and cabinets for France and Switzerland, using the haulier Cartwright Transport. January 1969
Four Wolverhampton firms in use: a Guy lorry, fitted with a Thompson trailer, carrying Chubb safes and cabinets for France and Switzerland, using the haulier Cartwright Transport. January 1969
An external view of Wolverhampton Art Gallery, taken close to the main entrance in January 1969
An external view of Wolverhampton Art Gallery, taken close to the main entrance in January 1969
... . .. The bank holiday seemed to have passed David Rathbone of Blakenhall by when pictured in April, 1969. Unsuspecting motorists were feeding Wolverhampton's parking meters, not realising chargeds had been lifted. LETTS AUG 27
The bank holiday seemed to have passed David Rathbone of Blakenhall by when pictured in April, 1969. Unsuspecting motorists were feeding Wolverhampton's parking meters, not realising charges had been lifted
Thornley Street, Wolverhampton, May 1969. The council were accused of wasting money to improve a bus terminus where no buses stopped, but there were plans to use the site for car parking bays
Thornley Street, Wolverhampton, May 1969. The council were accused of wasting money to improve a bus terminus where no buses stopped, but there were plans to use the site for car parking bays
The exterior of the Woolpack Restaurant in Salop Street, Wolverhampton
The exterior of the Woolpack Restaurant in Salop Street, Wolverhampton, June 1969