For these three youngsters, the race home from school was probably just as much fun as the school day itself. David and Robert Round and Trevor Nicholls are pictured tackling the steep climb up New Street, Brierley Hill, in 1956. It's a scene that reminds us of a time when childhood adventures began the moment the school bell rang. Did you make the same journey, or do you remember playing on these streets?placeholder image
For these three youngsters, the race home from school was probably just as much fun as the school day itself. David and Robert Round and Trevor Nicholls are pictured tackling the steep climb up New Street, Brierley Hill, in 1956. It's a scene that reminds us of a time when childhood adventures began the moment the school bell rang. Did you make the same journey, or do you remember playing on these streets? | Express & Star archive

39 fascinating pictures of life across the Black Country and Staffordshire from the 1950s to the 1970s

By Tania Taylor
Published 27th Jul 2026, 13:30 GMT
Updated 28th Jul 2026, 11:09 GMT

Snapshots from the ‘50s to the ‘70s

Step back through the decades and discover what life was like across the Black Country and Staffordshire from the 1950s to the 1970s.

These photographs, presented in no particular order, capture the everyday moments that tell the story of the region - from work and shopping to celebrations, hobbies, community life and the characters who helped shape its towns and villages.

Alongside familiar sights are some wonderfully unusual snapshots that show just how much has changed over the years. How many places, faces and memories can you spot? Tell us in the comments.

Take a nostalgic trip back to 1972 with these archive pictures.

  • You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here.
A case of "which way now?" on the Dog-in-Tree Estate, Huntington, in February 1964. With street name plates still missing, visitors were finding it difficult to navigate the new development - as this puzzled motorist appears to discover. Do you remember the early days of the estate, or living somewhere that was still being built?

37. Dog-in-Tree Estate, Huntington, 1964

A case of "which way now?" on the Dog-in-Tree Estate, Huntington, in February 1964. With street name plates still missing, visitors were finding it difficult to navigate the new development - as this puzzled motorist appears to discover. Do you remember the early days of the estate, or living somewhere that was still being built? | Express & Star archive

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Step inside a Wednesfield wool shop in 1968 and you were surrounded by colour, texture and endless possibilities. Clarice Nicholls is pictured behind her counter in May that year, with shelves of wool reaching almost to the ceiling. Can you remember the local shops where you bought knitting supplies, and the people who always had time for a chat?

38. Wednesfield, 1968

Step inside a Wednesfield wool shop in 1968 and you were surrounded by colour, texture and endless possibilities. Clarice Nicholls is pictured behind her counter in May that year, with shelves of wool reaching almost to the ceiling. Can you remember the local shops where you bought knitting supplies, and the people who always had time for a chat? | Express & Star archive

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Summer fun at St Michael's Roman Catholic Primary School in Merry Hill in June 1976, where a welly-wanging competition was one of the highlights of the summer fair. Pictured are the New Cross Hospital theatre nurses' team - Valerie Burrows, Betty Pugh, Joan Bosworth and Sheron Higham -– who finished runners-up to The Bristols from Meynell Valves in Bushbury. Were you there to cheer them on?

39. St Michael's Roman Catholic Primary School, Merry Hill, 1976

Summer fun at St Michael's Roman Catholic Primary School in Merry Hill in June 1976, where a welly-wanging competition was one of the highlights of the summer fair. Pictured are the New Cross Hospital theatre nurses' team - Valerie Burrows, Betty Pugh, Joan Bosworth and Sheron Higham -– who finished runners-up to The Bristols from Meynell Valves in Bushbury. Were you there to cheer them on? | Express & Star archive

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