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Pictures from the past: 28 charming snapshots of home deliveries and services in the West Midlands from a bygone era

The Covid-19 pandemic reminded us just how vital home deliveries can be, especially for those less able to get out. Driven by convenience, technology, and post-pandemic habits, many of us now see them as essential.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

Looking back over the decades, we remember the friendly faces who once brought goods to our doorsteps, offered services and collected unwanted items, come rain or shine. 

From the transport and effort involved, these snapshots from the archives offer a charming glimpse into a bygone era of deliveries across the region, some still familiar today.

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Postman Charlie Williams with some young boys in Churchstoke. Dick Williams says he was given the photograph of his father by Malcolm Jones, it was taken by his mother in 1932. It is believed he is handing over stamps to a young boy who was holding out some money for them. The boy on the left is Mr Jones, and the other lad was Os Francis. The location is Cwm Cae, Pentre, Churchstoke.
Postman Charlie Williams with some young boys in Churchstoke. Dick Williams says he was given the photograph of his postman father by Malcolm Jones, it was taken by his mother in 1932. It is believed Charlie Williams is handing over stamps to a young boy who was holding out some money for them. The boy on the left is Mr Jones, and the other lad was Os Francis. The location is Cwm Cae, Pentre, Churchstoke.
May 6, 1968. Mr Vin Sneyd of Wolverhampton, an employee of Midland Counties Dairy.
May 6, 1968. Mr Vin Sneyd of Wolverhampton, an employee of Midland Counties Dairy.
A rag and bone man at Brierley Hill on August 23, 1963.
A rag and bone man at Brierley Hill on August 23, 1963.
October 27, 1948: 'Shrewsbury postman William Edward Mullock is here pictured busily making the 4 o'clock collection yesterday afternoon from a hexagonal pillar box.' Picture: Frank Gortony. The picture was likely taken in The Square, Shrewsbury.
October 27, 1948: 'Shrewsbury postman William Edward Mullock is here pictured busily making the 4 o'clock collection yesterday afternoon from a hexagonal pillar box.' Picture: Frank Gortony. The picture was likely taken in The Square, Shrewsbury.
'Mr Kitson poses for a picture that will be just a memory soon in Lye where once seven bakers flourished.' March 1960.
'Mr Kitson poses for a picture that will be just a memory soon in Lye where once seven bakers flourished.' March 1960.
Dennis Foxall of Bridgnorth about to make a delivery, believed to be of a mattress and wardrobe, carried on top of his car, circa 1950s. The picture is from the late Dennis's son Frank Foxall, who said: 'My dad was Dennis Foxall and the business included furniture, wallpaper, paints, home decoration, and fishing tackle. He used to sell furniture and I reckon that that's a mattress, and that that on top is a single wardrobe. He didn't have a van. He always bought a car that could take the load. I can vaguely remember it. I think it was blue. This was the last car before he bought an Austin. I can't tell you what sort of car this one is. A Wolseley? In the background is my dad's house, where I was born. That's West Grove, on The Grove at Bridgnorth.' The business was just on the right at the junction with Cartway when coming over Bridgnorth bridge towards High Town.
Dennis Foxall of Bridgnorth about to make a delivery, believed to be of a mattress and wardrobe, carried on top of his car, circa 1950s. The picture is from the late Dennis's son Frank Foxall, who said: 'My dad was Dennis Foxall and the business included furniture, wallpaper, paints, home decoration, and fishing tackle. He used to sell furniture and I reckon that that's a mattress, and that that on top is a single wardrobe. He didn't have a van. He always bought a car that could take the load. I can vaguely remember it. I think it was blue. This was the last car before he bought an Austin. I can't tell you what sort of car this one is. A Wolseley? In the background is my dad's house, where I was born. That's West Grove, on The Grove at Bridgnorth.' The business was just on the right at the junction with Cartway when coming over Bridgnorth bridge towards High Town.
nostalgia pic. Shrewsbury.Rare, damaged pic of ice cream horse and cart belonging to Mr Humphreys of the Mountfields Dairy. Shrewsbury. His horse and cart was very popular.Picture taken outside the Bricklayers Arms, at the top of Copthorne Bank. Date is probably around the 1930s. People on the picture are unknown but it is thought to be Mr Humphreys in the cart.Picture: David Trumper.AFTER PUBLICATION FOLLOWING FOLLOW UP WAS USED: He said: \u201cA lady by the name of Diane Galliers rang me up and told me the lady on the left is Mrs Pugh, and that\u2019s her son Tony Pugh sitting on the ice cream van. The lady on the right is Mrs Howells. They all lived in the cottages just to the right of the van, although you can\u2019t see them on the picture.\u201cMr Pugh was on the railway and Mr and Mrs Pugh took over the Rock and Fountain pub in Castle Foregate afterwards.\u201cThe date of the photo is about 1938 as the little boy was born in 1936 and looks about two.\u201cI believe Mrs Pugh is some relation to Diane Galliers. She is also some relation to the Pughs who were the landlords of the Bricklayers Arms \u2014 that\u2019s the old \u2018Brick\u2019, not the new one.\u201dFurther confirmation of the names of the ladies came from an unexpected source \u2014 Mr Trumper\u2019s mother.\u201cWhen she saw the picture in the paper she said: \u2018I could have told you!\u2019 She recognised them.\u201cI\u2019m really pleased. This photo will be used in my talks now. A lot of people in Frankwell will know those people.\u201dLibrary code: Shrewsbury nostalgia 2000.
An ice cream horse and cart belonging to Mr Humphreys of the Mountfields Dairy, Shrewsbury. His horse and cart was very popular. Picture taken outside the Bricklayers Arms, at the top of Copthorne Bank. It is thought to be Mr Humphreys in the cart. David Trumper says: ‘Diane Galliers identifies the lady on the left is Mrs Pugh, and that’s her son Tony Pugh sitting on the ice cream van. The lady on the right is Mrs Howells. The date of the photo is about 1938 as the little boy was born in 1936 and looks about two.
'Minsterley, Postal Staff, Xmas Morning.' A Park of Newtown postcard franked on October 25, 1907. The building in the background is likely Minsterley post office. Picture loaned by postcard collector Ray Farlow.
'Minsterley, Postal Staff, Xmas Morning.' A Park of Newtown postcard franked on October 25, 1907. The building in the background is likely Minsterley post office. Picture loaned by postcard collector Ray Farlow.