When you think of the 1980s, lots of key moments spring to mind.
Whether that be the Royal Wedding of 1981, which saw a young Princess Diana join the Royal family. Michael Jackson and Madonna dominating global music or the Falklands War which saw British troops deployed in a sovereignty dispute with Argentina.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the 1980s was a transformational time for those living in the Black Country. This was a decade marked by the collapse of heavy industry in our region.
Here is a fascinating glimpse of life in the Black Country in a whooping 80 pictures from our archives.
If you have any pictures from the 1980s - I’d love to personally see and perhaps include for a future round-up.
These photographs are in no particular order.
Do message - [email protected].
Without further ado, let’s turn back the clock and reminisce on some simpler times:
17. Dudley actor: May 1982
21st May 1982 - Amateur actor Arthur Dunn has turned his thespian skills into a new career - as a hell-fire preacher for the Black Country Museum. Arthur, aged 59, who was laid off by P P Tools of Stourbridge last September, is also playing village doctor and chemist in the replica village in Tipton Road, Dudley. But his ranting preacher role is proving the biggest challenge for Arthur, a member of the Dudley Little Theatre for about 25 years. Arthur, who played the lead role in Habeas Corpus with the theatre in the spring, stepped on a new stage this week - the pulpit of the Darby Hand chapel, rebuilt brick-by-brick after demolition in Netherton. He preached hellfire and brimstone on the topic for a Wolverhampton school - and swotted up texts for future services. Museum Director Mr Ian Walden said all the guides would be dressed in period costume this summer, to add authenticity. | Local Library
18. Auctioneer at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre: July 1980
Auctioneer Chris Sidebotham took centre stage at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in July, 1980. He was selling off 644 lots of the theatre's contents after financial problems forced it to close earlier in the year. A campaign to reopen the theatre began immediately after, and the Grand was in business again by 1982 | Local Library
19. Guy Motors :January 1980
Guy Motors, Ltd., Park Lane, Fallings Park, Wolverhampton. The first of new super-tough Landtrain trucks, specially designed for the Middle and Far East, Africa and Latin America, being inspected by Jimmy Johnson and Brian Jones. January 1980 | Local Library
20. Christmas panto at Wolverhampton Civic Hall: 1982
Christmas fantasy pantomime at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall in 1982. L-R:Tony Surman, Bill Jones, Ray Morris, Jim Bridgewood, Ken Herman, Tony Guiness, Tony Westwood and Denis Grayson. | Local Library