Step back in time and discover some wonderful memories from Wolverhampton and the Black Country.
From local pubs and workplaces to schools, celebrations and everyday life, this gallery brings together snapshots from the 1940s through to the turn of the millennium. The pictures are in no particular order, so settle in and enjoy the journey through the decades.
There are plenty of faces, memorable moments and fascinating glimpses of how the region looked and lived over the years - from school days and busy factories to jubilee parades and much-loved local pubs.
Do you recognise anyone or remember any of these places? Take a look through the pictures and share your memories with us.
- Remember these? 47 brilliant pictures of school days across Staffordshire and the Black Country in the 1980s.
- 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.

17. Stitching schoolyard memories as master leatherworkers craft built-to-last satchels
Crafting the quintessential classroom accessory of the 1960s, skilled leatherworkers hard at work on September 13, 1966, assemble ultra-sturdy leather satchels. Inside the busy workshop of Butler Brothers in Walsall, sewing machines whir alongside piles of freshly buckled bags waiting to be sent off for the new school term. Renowned far and wide for its legendary leather trade, the local area produced durable, top-quality craftsmanship that carried generations of schoolchildren's books and packed lunches. Did you carry a sturdy leather satchel like these on your walk to school in the '60s or '70s. | ©PA

18. Galloping home as school bell rings on the steepest street in town
Boundless post-school energy takes over as three young lads charge up a formidable incline in May 1956! Brierley Hill youngsters David and Robert Round, alongside pal Trevor Nicholls, make light work of galloping up steep New Street after the bell rings for home. This striking prospective view looks out over terraced rooftops and distant gasometers, showcasing both the energetic freedom of 1950s childhood and the famously hilly Black Country landscape. Do you remember tackling steep hills like New Street on your energetic walk home from school back in the day? | Express & Star archive

19. Forging the links that built the region as expert inspectors check heavy duty chain
Checking every single link with practiced precision, works manager Mr. W. Lee (right) and chain examiner Bernard Harrison inspect a massive length of polished chain in April 1965. Dressed in classic workshop coats and flat caps, the expert pair give the heavy-duty metalwork a thorough final look before it is dispatched to its destination. Chainmaking was the very lifeblood of Black Country manufacturing for centuries, and this striking factory floor shot showcases the quality, skill, and industrial strength that made the region world-famous. Did anyone in your family work in the famous local chain, cable, or heavy ironworks industries back in the '60s? | Express & Star archive

20. Harnessing horsepower and nostalgic street calls on the recycling rounds
Stepping straight out of a bygone era, a local rag and bone man pauses along a terraced street in Brierley Hill on August 23, 1963. Stood patiently on the pavement beside his trusty working horse and wooden cart, he keeps a watchful eye out for householders trading old clothes, scrap metal, and unwanted household items. Complete with cobblestone charm, traditional brick terraces, and the familiar clip-clop of hooves on tarmac, this wonderful atmospheric scene captures the original pioneer of Black Country recycling in action. Do you remember hearing the distinct call of the rag and bone man echoing down your street back in the 1960s? | Express & Star archive

