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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53. A candid moment on the playing fields of Ounsdale School
A group of pupils and teachers relax on the grass at Ounsdale School in Wombourne, captured in an informal, candid snapshot taken just after an official group photo was shot in 1962. Dressed in smart school blazers, ties, and summer dresses, the students share a lighthearted moment out in the sunshine, breaking character as the formal pose comes to an end. Opened in the mid-1950s, the modern comprehensive school quickly became a central landmark for the growing village community on the outskirts of the Black Country. Do you or someone in your family have memories of school days at Ounsdale in Wombourne during the 1960s? | Express & Star archive
54. Heading down the pit for another underground shift
Miners packed into underground manriding carriages head down the pit at Littleton Colliery in Huntington near Cannock around 1962. Fitted with helmets and cap lamps, the miners prepare for another long shift working the coal seams deep beneath Cannock Chase. As one of the largest and most prosperous collieries in the West Midlands coalfield, Littleton was a cornerstone of the local community, employing generations of miners who kept regional industry powered throughout the 20th century. Did you or any of your family work underground at Littleton Colliery or remember the coal mining era around Cannock? | Express & Star archive
55. Keeping an ancient Staffordshire ritual alive
Dressed in traditional breeches and caps, members of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance take to the streets early in the morning on September 10, 1962. Carrying heavy reindeer antlers mounted on wooden heads, the performers stepped out to recreate one of Britain's oldest surviving folk customs, believed to trace its origins back to pre-Norman times. The day-long procession sees the dancers cover miles around the village and countryside, preserving an extraordinary piece of local heritage that continues to draw spectators from across the region. Have you ever witnessed the historic Horn Dance in Abbots Bromley or taken part in local traditional customs? | Express & Star archive
56. A modern beat brings new life to church worship
Local curate the Rev Jo Martin gets "with it" on the drum kit during a lively youth service at Bushbury Parish Church in April 1962. Flanked by guitars and a tea-chest bass strumming along to the rhythm, the modern gospel session brought a fresh, contemporary sound to traditional hymn singing. Organised by the vicar, the Rev C A Chamberlain, to engage younger parishioners, the special post-service session proved a resounding success, drawing around 160 enthusiastic young people into the pews. Do you remember attending youth services or hearing modern music brought into local Black Country churches in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive