The 1970s was a stage for global, national and local change with the start Margaret Thatcher's Britain, the death Elvis Presley, the disbandment of the Beatles and the end of the Vietnam War. It was a time when faces were not yet glued to phones, the Ford Cortina dominated UK streets and, for some, a time sorely missed.
In Walsall, there were record-breaking trips to the beach, postponed Walsall FC matches and twinkling carnival queens being crowned.
Across Sandwell from 1970 to 1979 there were some pretty impressive snowballs and the beginning of a book-on-wheels service sweeping the area.
Wolverhampton was renowned for its prolific bicycle industry with hundreds of bike manufacturing companies setting up shop and, by 1975, the city had extended to take in most of the Borough of Bilston, the Urban Districts of Wednesfield and Tettenhall and parts of Willenhall, Sedgley and Coseley.
In Dudley, the future Sir Lenny Henry was already beginning to garner the laughs from classmates at school and in a very proud moment for the area only three years later, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit to Dudley in her jubilee year of 1977.
So, join us on a trip down memory lane with snapshots of the region in one of the most memorable decades of the 20th century.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Wanderers players with the trophy after beating Manchester City in the Football League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London, 23rd February 1974. Left to right: Derek Dougan, Mike Bailey (captain), John Richards and Gary Pierce. Wolves won the match 2-1 . (Photo by Blackbrow/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The wrecked car belonging to English musician Don Powell, the drummer for glam rock group Slade, after a road accident in Wolverhampton earlier that day, UK, 4th July 1973. Powell's fiancée Angela Morris was killed, and Powell himself sustained serious injuries. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Javelin thrower and future Olympic Gold medalist Tessa Sanderson undergoes training in preparation for the European and Commonwealth games on 1st May 1978 at a gym in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.(Photo by Tony Duffy/Getty Images)
Walsall
Walsall Wood Football Club in training, August 13, 1970: 'Fitness looks like being the keynote for Walsall Wood in the Midland Combination's first division, under the guidance of new manager Derek 'Doc' Pace, the former Aston Villa and Sheffield United centre forward. The players are put through press-ups watched by Pace (left) and trainer Albert Tomkinson.'
This photo from August 18, 1975, shows a trip to the Blackpool beach for Bloxwich Memorial Club. The caption reads: 'Mrs Janet Allen of Valley Road, Bloxwich, trying to make a sand castle, but every time down came the demolishing spade of John Jones, also of Valley Road, Bloxwich.'
A show of transport, both ancient and modern – at that time – was on show in Wolverhampton Street, Walsall on September 18, 1974, at the depot of Reginald Tildesley Ltd. Two steam-rollers attracted most attention from passers-by. Alongside the two rollers were models of steam engines. Pictured is Mr Dave Pucci of Braemar Road, Norton Canes, with his model of a steam organ, among the steam-operated exhibits.
The Wilfred Clarke School on Alumwell Road, Walsall, in May 1971. At the time, it was the largest school contract to be built in the area, and cost £750,000. It opened its doors in September 1971, taking on 1,800 pupils.
Dudley
Sandwell
Do you remember any of these Black Country moments from the 70s? Share your memories with us by email [email protected]
