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.
Before clothes reached the shops, they passed through the hands of skilled workers like those at Town Mills in Cannock. In September 1961, garments moved along the production line for pressing, inspection and packing, as this photograph captures the steady rhythm of factory life. Do you remember working in a clothing factory, or the sounds and sights of the old production floors?

25. Town Mills, Cannock, 1961

Before clothes reached the shops, they passed through the hands of skilled workers like those at Town Mills in Cannock. In September 1961, garments moved along the production line for pressing, inspection and packing, as this photograph captures the steady rhythm of factory life. Do you remember working in a clothing factory, or the sounds and sights of the old production floors? | Express & Star archive

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A frying pan, an election poster and a touch of Stourbridge humour. In April 1979, chef Jerry Croft posed beside a Labour campaign poster featuring Dr Richard Etheridge and Tony Cook, joining in with the jokes that surrounded the display. Do you remember the characters and moments that made local election campaigns memorable?

26. Stourbridge, 1979

A frying pan, an election poster and a touch of Stourbridge humour. In April 1979, chef Jerry Croft posed beside a Labour campaign poster featuring Dr Richard Etheridge and Tony Cook, joining in with the jokes that surrounded the display. Do you remember the characters and moments that made local election campaigns memorable? | Express & Star archive

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Long before keyboards and laptops became part of everyday life, typing was a skill that could open doors to new careers. In June 1968, students at the Sight and Sound Education touch-typing school in Broad Street, Wolverhampton, completed a new intensive course designed to teach the basics in just 12 lessons. Did you ever learn to type, and what memories do you have of office life in the 1960s?

27. Sight and Sound Education, Wolverhampton, 1968

Long before keyboards and laptops became part of everyday life, typing was a skill that could open doors to new careers. In June 1968, students at the Sight and Sound Education touch-typing school in Broad Street, Wolverhampton, completed a new intensive course designed to teach the basics in just 12 lessons. Did you ever learn to type, and what memories do you have of office life in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive

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Friendship, laughter and a little friendly competition were all part of this Bilston Townswomen's Guild jubilee meeting in 1977. Members celebrated the occasion with competitions for the best hats and garters, reflecting the community spirit that made the Guild such an important part of local life. Pictured are Mrs E. James, Kath Dunn, Dot Lees and Mrs E Tershull. Did you attend Guild meetings, or can you put names to any more of the faces in this photograph?

28. Bilston Townswomen's Guild, 1977

Friendship, laughter and a little friendly competition were all part of this Bilston Townswomen's Guild jubilee meeting in 1977. Members celebrated the occasion with competitions for the best hats and garters, reflecting the community spirit that made the Guild such an important part of local life. Pictured are Mrs E. James, Kath Dunn, Dot Lees and Mrs E Tershull. Did you attend Guild meetings, or can you put names to any more of the faces in this photograph? | Express & Star archive

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