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29 pictures of Shropshire schools and faces from the early 1980s - reliving the memories when all you needed was an exercise book and plimsolls

School photos have featured in our newspaper titles for generations capturing landmark moments.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

From the first day of school to the last, and all the important events and celebrations in between, we take a look at a selection of pictures from our archives between 1980 and 1985...

Picture caption: 'Oldbury School at Bridgnorth held an It's A Knockout competition. Teachers also took part.' the picture shows cheerleaders in action on 8 July 1980.
Picture caption: 'Oldbury School at Bridgnorth held an It's A Knockout competition. Teachers also took part.' the picture shows cheerleaders in action on 8 July 1980.
Girls from Newport Girls High School in March 1980. The caption reads: 'These girls from Newport High School won a shield for their school in competition against other sixth-formers in Shropshire organised by the British Institute of Management. From left: Susan Jennings, Susan Hodgkiss, Ruth Mary Howe, Siriol James, Diane Hinks and Gillian Tellwright. They were the only girls' team in the finals for six.'
Girls from Newport Girls High School in March 1980. The caption reads: 'These girls from Newport High School won a shield for their school in competition against other sixth-formers in Shropshire organised by the British Institute of Management. From left: Susan Jennings, Susan Hodgkiss, Ruth Mary Howe, Siriol James, Diane Hinks and Gillian Tellwright. They were the only girls' team in the finals for six.'
'Members of the Alexandra Road School choir get into good voice ready for their broadcast and church service.' The accompanying story began 'The choir at Market Drayton's Alexandra Road Junior School is to take part in a church service to be broadcast by Radio Stoke. A recording of the service is to be made in the Shrewsbury Road Methodist Church on Thursday, January 31 (1980). It is to be broadcast on Sunday, February 3.' The story says the 70-strong choir was led by Mrs Betty Lyon - presumably she is at the piano, although she is not specifically identified.
'Members of the Alexandra Road School choir get into good voice ready for their broadcast and church service.' The accompanying story began 'The choir at Market Drayton's Alexandra Road Junior School is to take part in a church service to be broadcast by Radio Stoke. A recording of the service is to be made in the Shrewsbury Road Methodist Church on Thursday, January 31 (1980). It is to be broadcast on Sunday, February 3.' The story says the 70-strong choir was led by Mrs Betty Lyon - presumably she is at the piano, although she is not specifically identified.
Rushbury School in September 1980. It was used with a story which began: 'Rushbury parents were defiant last night after a county vote to close their village school. For they are determined that the school will not close. The parents were celebrating 'UDI' and the message came through loud and clear at the impromptu meeting in a pub - Rushbury School will remain open even if the parents have to finance running it themselves.' The picture was taken on September 11, 1980
The story began 'Rushbury parents were defiant last night after a county vote to close their village school. For they are determined that the school will not close. The parents were celebrating 'UDI' and the message came through loud and clear at the impromptu meeting in a pub - Rushbury School will remain open even if the parents have to finance running it themselves.' The picture was taken on September 11, 1980
A film crew came to Telford to film for the Nurse of the Year Show. Seven Midlands' nurses competing were filmed in Telford locations, including the tramway at Telford Town Park. Children from the dance and drama club of Holmer Lake First School, Brookside, who were called in by Telford Development Corporation to provide a 'crowd' met television personality Leslie Crowther there. This picture was taken during filming of the tramway. The tram was driven by John Mason
A film crew came to Telford on 13 March 1980 to film for the Nurse of the Year Show. Seven Midlands' nurses competing were filmed in Telford locations, including the tramway at Telford Town Park. Children from the dance and drama club of Holmer Lake First School, Brookside, who were called in by Telford Development Corporation to provide a 'crowd' met television personality Leslie Crowther there. This picture was taken during filming of the tramway. The tram was driven by John Mason
'Children queue for their new-style lunch at Wrockwardine Wood School today' reads the caption on the back of this print taken on 2 September 1980. The accompanying story explained that a new school cafeteria system had started, one of five being tried throughout Shropshire.
'Children queue for their new-style lunch at Wrockwardine Wood School today' reads the caption on the back of this print taken on 2 September 1980. The accompanying story explained that a new school cafeteria system had started, one of five being tried throughout Shropshire.
October 1980 - 'Mr Norman Pickering, deputy head of John Hunt School, Trench, showing the new hand-painted coat of arms to, from left, fourth formers Jonathan Webster, Wendy Freeman and Jaqueline Urquhart.' John Hunt School merged with Hadley Manor School later to become Sutherland School, which closed July 2015, being amalgamated with Wrockwardine Wood school on a new site in Oakengates
October 1980 - 'Mr Norman Pickering, deputy head of John Hunt School, Trench, showing the new hand-painted coat of arms to, from left, fourth formers Jonathan Webster, Wendy Freeman and Jaqueline Urquhart.' John Hunt School merged with Hadley Manor School later to become Sutherland School, which closed July 2015, being amalgamated with Wrockwardine Wood school on a new site in Oakengates
6 March 1980: 'Mayor of Shrewsbury and Atcham, Councillor Bernard Lingen, was a guest at Condover Hall last night to receive another donation for the Cobalt Unit Fund. The guides of Condover Hall School for the Blind raised funds from a sponsored silence.'
6 March 1980: 'Mayor of Shrewsbury and Atcham, Councillor Bernard Lingen, was a guest at Condover Hall last night to receive another donation for the Cobalt Unit Fund. The guides of Condover Hall School for the Blind raised funds from a sponsored silence.'
7 November 1980: 'A mini computer has been brought into use for instructional purposes at Hadley Manor School, Telford, and both members of the staff and pupils are engaged in learning the use of the computer keyboard. From left: Mr Ralph Palmer, head of English and librarian, Andrew Mulcuck, 16, of Ketley, Peter Pearing, 15, of Hadley, and Mrs Doris Morris, library assistant, with teacher Mrs Vida Pearce at the keyboard.'
7 November 1980: 'A mini computer has been brought into use for instructional purposes at Hadley Manor School, Telford, and both members of the staff and pupils are engaged in learning the use of the computer keyboard. From left: Mr Ralph Palmer, head of English and librarian, Andrew Mulcuck, 16, of Ketley, Peter Pearing, 15, of Hadley, and Mrs Doris Morris, library assistant, with teacher Mrs Vida Pearce at the keyboard.'