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11 amazing pictures of Telford in 1977 - how many do you recognise?

Ade Blount was a silly idiot. A bit harsh, maybe, but they were his own words.

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By Mark Andrews
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Supporting image for story: 11 amazing pictures of Telford in 1977 - how many do you recognise?
nostalgia pic. Telford. nostalgia pic. Granville colliery. Picture by David Bagnall of 'lunch underground' at Granville Colliery. Date written on the back of print is November 29, 1977. This may be the publication date. Caption was: 'For the men underground there is no canteen, washroom or toilets. Taking their 'snap' break, from left: Ernest Lowe, John Marlow, Ray Watson and Stewart Braddock.' Granville miners. Shropshire miners. Mining. Granville mine. Granville pit. This picture is in our book Telford: Pictures From The Past, plate number240. Library code: Granville nostalgia 2004a. Telford nostalgia 2004a.

Complete with his comic hat and face mask, the 16-year-old sixth-former from Blakemore on Telford's Brookside estate decided in March 1977 that it would be a good idea to hire himself out to bring a bit of mirth to people's lives. Which wasn't that silly at all, really.

16-year-old Ade Blount, of Blakemore on the Brookside estate, had launched a 'silly idiot service' when pictured here on March 10, 1977
16-year-old Ade Blount, of Blakemore on the Brookside estate, had launched a 'silly idiot service' when pictured here on March 10, 1977

Explaining his reasoning, Ade added: "I was just thinking that people in Telford are so apathetic, spending all their time moaning and I thought it would be a good idea to do something constructive.

"I have always regarded myself as a silly idiot, always one for having a laugh, so I thought of setting up this service." 

Among his services, he was offering to become a target for wet sponges at charity events.