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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13. Paddling into summer fun on the newly opened boating pool
Families and children take to the water in small paddle boats at Chasewater in 1962, enjoying the newly built boating lake. Transformed into a booming leisure destination by Brownhills Urban District Council during the post-war era, the reservoir area quickly became a local seaside alternative for Black Country and Staffordshire residents. With fairground rides, a funfair canopy, and sun-baked promenades in the background, this cheerful scene captures the peak of summer holiday excitement close to home. Do you have fond memories of riding the paddle boats or visiting the fairground at Chasewater back in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive
14. Calling last orders by the forgotten canal locks
A narrowboat named Victory, operated by Tipton coal merchant C W Mitchard, glides past the iconic Beehive public house at Tipton Green Canal Junction in 1962. The Mitchells & Butlers pub stood alongside the Tipton Green Locks Branch, a historic waterway originally opened in 1805 to serve the region's bustling heavy industries. By the time this photo was taken, commercial traffic was rapidly fading, with the branch having been officially abandoned in 1960. The beloved local pub eventually closed its doors in 1978 before the entire site was redeveloped, leaving this quiet snapshot as a rare reminder of the area's industrial past. Do you remember enjoying a pint at The Beehive, or seeing the old coal boats working these waterways back in the day? | Express & Star archive
15. Old school days and classic cars in the summer term
A classic Morris Minor sits parked outside the imposing Victorian facade of Dudley Grammar School on St James's Road in July 1962. First opened in June 1899 to replace older premises in the town, the grand red-brick building featured ornate turrets, large arched windows, and a prominent flagpole flying the Union Jack. The historic school educated generations of local boys before merging to become a comprehensive in 1975, making this quiet summertime snapshot a nostalgic tribute to the town's educational history. Were you a pupil at Dudley Grammar School back in the 1960s, or do you remember the old building on St James's Road? | Express & Star archive
16. Honouring Walsall’s beloved ‘Lady of the Lamp’
Miss A M Libbey, hospital matron, leans over the railings to lay a floral wreath at the base of the Sister Dora statue on January 16, 1962. A quiet crowd of onlookers bundled up against the winter cold gathered at The Bridge in Walsall to mark the birthday anniversary of the town’s legendary nurse. Known as Walsall’s own ‘Lady of the Lamp,’ Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison (Sister Dora) won the hearts of the Black Country for her selfless devotion to caring for injured industrial workers and smallpox victims during the 19th century. Do you remember seeing the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Sister Dora statue back in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive