Graham Dudley is pictured tending the Bushbury Road graveyard in Heath Town after Holy Trinity Church launched a £10,000 appeal in 1989 to keep him in his job as gravedigger and gardener. The church said he had transformed the large graveyard and feared it would return to an almost derelict state if his post was lost. Do you remember Graham Dudley or the Bushbury Road graveyard as it looked in the 1980s?placeholder image
Graham Dudley is pictured tending the Bushbury Road graveyard in Heath Town after Holy Trinity Church launched a £10,000 appeal in 1989 to keep him in his job as gravedigger and gardener. The church said he had transformed the large graveyard and feared it would return to an almost derelict state if his post was lost. Do you remember Graham Dudley or the Bushbury Road graveyard as it looked in the 1980s? | Express & Star archive

Can you remember 1989? 55 nostalgic pictures from the Black Country and Staffordshire

By Tania Taylor
Published 28th Aug 2026, 02:00 GMT

How the region looked more than 35 years ago

1989 was a year of change, character and plenty of memorable moments across Wolverhampton, the Black Country and Staffordshire.

From busy factories and striking workers to high street scenes, community campaigns, local celebrations and everyday moments, these archive pictures offer a glimpse of how the region looked more than 35 years ago.

There are familiar faces, places that have changed and even a few intriguing mysteries along the way. Take a trip back to 1989 and see how many people, businesses and landmarks you can remember.

  • Missed our gallery of Wolverhampton in 1980? See the pictures here.
  • 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.
Ron Bullock, Larry Pluck, Paul Millard, Robert Carless and Martin Smith load a metal beam at RMD on Stubbers Green Road, Aldridge, in February 1989. The team was marking a landmark production achievement for the company, a proud moment for the workforce. Do you remember RMD, or anyone who worked there?

49. A milestone for a busy Aldridge factory

Ron Bullock, Larry Pluck, Paul Millard, Robert Carless and Martin Smith load a metal beam at RMD on Stubbers Green Road, Aldridge, in February 1989. The team was marking a landmark production achievement for the company, a proud moment for the workforce. Do you remember RMD, or anyone who worked there? | Express & Star archive

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Walhouse Junior School pupils Chloe Altham and Jenny Harper show off altar vessels they made from plastic pop bottles during a visit to St Luke's Church, Cannock, in September 1989. The girls were taking part in Open Door Week, which gave local children the chance to explore the church. Do you remember Open Door Week, or school visits to St Luke's?

50. A creative idea turns pop bottles into altar vessels

Walhouse Junior School pupils Chloe Altham and Jenny Harper show off altar vessels they made from plastic pop bottles during a visit to St Luke's Church, Cannock, in September 1989. The girls were taking part in Open Door Week, which gave local children the chance to explore the church. Do you remember Open Door Week, or school visits to St Luke's? | Express & Star archive

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Sophia Wilson and Alison Cox prepare a rug exhibition at Walsall Art Gallery in October 1989, where visitors could also have a go at making their own rag rugs. The hands-on exhibition offered a chance to try a traditional craft for themselves. Have you ever had a go at rag rug-making, or remember this exhibition?

51. Getting creative with rugs in Walsall

Sophia Wilson and Alison Cox prepare a rug exhibition at Walsall Art Gallery in October 1989, where visitors could also have a go at making their own rag rugs. The hands-on exhibition offered a chance to try a traditional craft for themselves. Have you ever had a go at rag rug-making, or remember this exhibition? | Express & Star archive

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Smestow Gate is pictured in March 1989, with a couple of cars at the junction and a man standing beside the cottage. A peaceful snapshot of a familiar Wolverhampton scene before the pace of the modern day took hold. Do you remember this view of Smestow Gate?

52. A quiet corner of Wolverhampton

Smestow Gate is pictured in March 1989, with a couple of cars at the junction and a man standing beside the cottage. A peaceful snapshot of a familiar Wolverhampton scene before the pace of the modern day took hold. Do you remember this view of Smestow Gate? | Express & Star archive

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