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.

13. Hubbal Grange, 1963
A forgotten corner of history captured in August 1963 - the ruins of Hubbal Grange, near Tong. Hidden among these ageing walls was a link to one of the most famous escapes in British history, when King Charles II stopped here for supper after fleeing defeat at the Battle of Worcester. The two men pictured remain unidentified. Do you remember this old building or know what happened to it? | Express & Star archive

14. Malcolm X visits Smethwick, 1965
A quiet footpath, rows of terraced houses and a visitor who would become part of Smethwick’s history. This 1965 photograph shows Malcolm X during his visit to the town, where he met residents and saw first-hand the community at the centre of national conversations about race and housing. Do you remember this period in Smethwick’s history, or the changes the town was experiencing? | Express & Star archive

15. Whittington Barracks, 1963
Not every Christmas memory is about presents and celebrations. This 1963 photograph from Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, shows servicemen being served food during the festive period, offering a glimpse into the everyday routines of military life. Can you recognise anyone in this scene, or share memories of the barracks? | Express & Star archive

16. Harold Thompson, 1961
A snapshot of Black Country life in 1961 - Harold Thompson, the violin-playing tramp and former Brierley Hill Orchestra member, stands with his violin as the familiar shape of a mine shaft elevator rises in the distance. A photograph that captures two sides of the region’s heritage: its musical traditions and its industrial roots. What memories does this scene bring back? | Express & Star archive

