Step back to 1962 and discover a fascinating snapshot of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country at a time of change, confidence and industrial strength. These photographs capture the people, places and moments that shaped the region more than 60 years ago.
From the roaring furnaces of Bilston Steelworks and busy press lines in Willenhall to the opening of new schools, factories and industrial centres, the pictures reveal a region at the heart of Britain's manufacturing might. But alongside the industry are the stories of everyday life that made these communities unique.
You'll find Wolverhampton's Caribbean community celebrating Jamaican Independence at Wulfrun Hall, the centuries-old tradition of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, community gatherings, familiar faces and moments that capture the character of the region in 1962.
Whether these scenes bring back memories or offer a glimpse into a bygone age, this gallery is a celebration of the people, traditions and industries that helped shape Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country. If these photographs spark a memory, we'd love to hear your stories in the comments.
- Explore these 59 nostalgic pictures capturing the workplaces and industries that shaped the Black Country and Staffordshire in the 1980s.
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1. Unlocking memories along Wood Street in Willenhall
Classic 1960s saloons line the kerb outside the bustling Yale Lockworks on Wood Street, Willenhall, in this 1962 industrial snapshot. Long celebrated as the lockmaking capital of the country, Willenhall was home to the world famous Yale brand, which operated massive manufacturing premises in the heart of the town. The photograph shows open loading bays, brick factory facades, and workers' cars parked along the street during the height of the region's manufacturing boom. Did you or anyone in your family work at the Yale Lockworks on Wood Street back in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive
2. Lined up and revving to go for opening night
Riders line up on their classic, brakeless bikes ahead of the first race of the new speedway season in April 1962. Dressed in their protective leathers, bibs, and neck guards, the squad poses trackside before hitting the shale for an action-packed night of high-speed racing. Monmore Green Stadium was renowned for its electric atmosphere, drawing passionate crowds of motorcycling fans who gathered every week to cheer on their local heroes under the stadium floodlights. Do you remember hearing the roar of the engines from the terraces at Monmore Green back in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive
3. Wolverhampton’s Guy Motors delivers luxury Jaguars for world export
A powerful Guy Warrior tractor unit stands loaded with four sleek Jaguar Mark X saloons in July 1962. Measuring nearly 17 feet long, Jaguar’s luxury flagship model posed a logistical challenge for standard car transporters moving vehicles between the factory and the docks for overseas orders. To solve the problem, a specially extended double-deck transporter was coupled to a lorry built by Guy Motors (Europe) Ltd of Wolverhampton, a company that had recently become a subsidiary of Jaguar itself. Do you remember seeing Guy Motors transporters loaded with shiny new export cars heading out on local roads in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive
4. Checking out the sharp new wheels built for motorway speed
HM Inspector of Constabulary Sir Charles Martin chats with the driver of a brand-new Jaguar patrol car at county police headquarters in Stafford in May 1962. Gathered alongside senior officers on the grounds, Sir Charles inspects the high-performance vehicles drafted in specifically for patrols on the newly developing M6. Equipped with roof lights and bold rear signage, these powerful Jaguars brought serious style and speed to motorway enforcement as Britain entered the modern highway era. Do you remember seeing these iconic Jaguar police cars cruising along the M6 during the early 1960s? | Express & Star archive