Letters: Vine Island, TV licences, bank closures and 1973 politics

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Village politics under the rafters, February 1973. A winter’s evening over half a century ago, when local democracy found a rather cosy refuge. Driven out of the Old School on Station Road by the resounding rehearsals of the local choir, members of Albrighton Parish Council decamped to the drafty, charming loft of Councillor Keith Worthington’s home on the High Street. Perched on mismatched chairs beneath bare brickwork and exposed timber beams, the councillors pressed ahead with their village agenda—stoically resisting the siren call of a miniature electric train layout set up just inches from the debate. | Express & Star archive

placeholder image — PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Village politics under the rafters, February 1973. A winter’s evening over half a century ago, when local democracy found a rather cosy refuge. Driven out of the Old School on Station Road by the resounding rehearsals of the local choir, members of Albrighton Parish Council decamped to the drafty, charming loft of Councillor Keith Worthington’s home on the High Street. Perched on mismatched chairs beneath bare brickwork and exposed timber beams, the councillors pressed ahead with their village agenda—stoically resisting the siren call of a miniature electric train layout set up just inches from the debate. | Express & Star archive

From memories of a familiar Black Country landmark to concerns over TV licences and the closure of local banks, readers share their views

Memories of Vine Island

In the Express & Star Pictures from the Past on the letters page on November 6, you show in an image of Five Ways Island.

The caption below the picture described the area as also being known as Vine Island.

When this picture was taken I lived locally and the Vine Island was named after the Vine pub.

With Turner manufacturing opposite with the Wobaston Road leading off. I also worked at Stanhope foundry in Fox’s Lane off the Fiveways Island.

When the Stafford Road was made into a dual carriageway more islands were needed so came the three tons. Next island is Goodyears island, then Bushbury Lane, and Gorsbrook Road Island.

Sheila Dean, Pendeford

Make everyone get a licence

I was talking to a lady on the bus about her daughter. She’s got a mobile phone and watches TV, but hasn't got a TV licence to watch items on the TV. It’s people like that who get away with not paying. I worry if I’ve not paid my TV licence.

The BBC should send the detector van round to see if they are using the mobile or TV in the house. Even the children watch their TVs in their room. It’s all wrong when decent people like me have to pay.

Mrs Wilcox, Norton

Why are all our banks closing?

If cash is not dying out, why are banks closing?

My bank was Barclays Hagley, Kinver and Stourbridge. They closed, and a few more have since closed. Not everybody has online banking or even a computer or smartphone.

Most of the building societies have also closed down. You go into Lloyds to use the cash machine and the queues are out of the door.

It is same at the Post Office; you wait ages to get a bit of money out to do shopping.

I’m nearly 96 years old and I can’t stand in there to get money out as my legs give way.

We do need more banks, or even put two or four banks in one area so you can use them.

The Barclays hub is OK, but you can’t get money out.

I changed over to NatWest and my friend goes with me to the bank to help me get a few pounds out to pay my bills.

Everything I do is done with cash, not credit card, and never Direct Debit as they take more than they should.

Mrs Davies, Oldswinford

You can enjoy other pictures from the past 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

Have an opinion? We want to hear from you.

Share your views by writing to Readers’ Letters at [email protected]

Letters to the editor must include the writer’s name and address. Letters will only be published anonymously in exceptional circumstances. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity or style.

Do you have a picture from the past to share?

We would love to hear from you. Whether you have an old photograph, need help identifying a street or recognise a familiar face, send your images to [email protected]

Please include your name, where you are from and as much information as possible about the photograph. We will publish as many as we can online and in print.