Record numbers see display of E&S photos

A record-breaking 3,500 people have visited an exhibition of photographs taken from the pages of the Express & Star.

The figure was announced at a special celebration marking the success of the Pictures of the Past exhibition held at Himley Hall last night.

Civic dignitaries from across the West Midlands and prominent members of the Black Country attended the event to see the collection of 300 photographs for themselves.

Among the guests were Dudley's Mayor Councillor Ray Burston, Walsall Mayor Councillor Tom Ansell, Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Christine Mills, Stafford Mayor Councillor Ann Edgeller, chairman of South Staffordshire Council Councillor Alan Hinton and Cannock Chase Council chairman Councillor Pat Ansell.

Also attending were Black Country comedians Alan 'Aynuk' Smith and 'Duchess of Dudley' Lizzie Wiggins along with Dudley Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock and special guest Professor Carl Chinn.

Those responsible for some of the photographs were also in attendance including former photographers Dave Bagnall, Jeff Millward, Geoff Wright, Dave Clapp and Graham Gough along with current photographer Dave Woodhall.

Addressing those gathered, Express & Star editor Adrian Faber paid tribute to the skill and dedication of those who had captured the images on display.

"The past 50 years has seen a great change in technology. From black and white pictures taken on film to colour photographs to the digital cameras that allow us to receive the photographs in seconds," he said.

"This exhibition has been made possible by the skills of generations of Express & Star photographers.

"It is not an easy job and they have to be out in all weathers during the day and night. Their skill and dedication is undeniable."

Professor Carl Chinn also addressed the celebration and said pictures like those on display would be vital in teaching young people about their heritage and roots in the future.

"The society we were brought up in was one of sounds and smells but this has now changed," he said.

"The society of today is visual and photos like these are valuable in teaching young people about their heritage.

"The young people of today need to see the past and exhibitions like this are crucial to this. It is vital for the future.

"If people do not know where they came from how can they know where they are going?"

Prof Chinn said it was also fitting the exhibition was being held in Dudley - traditionally the historic capital of the Black Country. "It is nice to see places like Himley Hall. I was thinking when I entered it was a shame our ancestors who lived in back-to-back houses could not have shared in this splendour.

"While it is good to see places like this we should never forget the blood, sweat and hard work of those who paid for buildings like this to be created."

Dudley's mayor Councillor Ray Burston said it was highly appropriate the Express & Star had been responsible for the exhibition as the newspaper was part of the very fabric of the Black Country.

Himley estate manager Sally Newall said the exhibition's success had been nothing short of phenomenal. "We have had 3,500 people come to see it in just four weeks. People absolutely love it and we have even had queues of people waiting to get into some parts of the exhibition.

"It is simply one of the most popular events to have been staged at the hall and there is still plenty of time to go. It has been brilliant."

Looking at the photographs on display Lizzie Wiggins said it was a wonderful nostalgic trip down Memory Lane.

"It has certainly jogged a few memories for me," she said. "One of the pictures which caught my eye was one of Dudley High Street. Although you can see the similarities to now there has certainly been a lot of changes. I was born in Dudley so it is particularly thought provoking for me."

Another guest, Ray Hingley, who founded the legendary Black Country Night Out, said he had been one of the first through the doors to see the exhibition.

"It brings back so many old memories for me. I didn't realise before but one of the pictures is of an old friend of mine who died many years ago."

l The Pictures from the Past exhibition is on view at Himley Hall until September 7.