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Telford in the mid-1980s: 18 pictures that take you back

This nostalgic collection of pictures captures life in and around the town between 1984 and 1986.

By Tania Taylor
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From the opening of the first nightclub in Telford town centre, to team celebrations as Telford United reached the fourth round of the FA Cup following their victory over Darlington, and even Lionel Blair leading locals in dance, enjoy this trip down memory lane from the Shropshire Star archives - and feel free to share your own memories in the comments.

Telford Society volunteer John Saunders puts the finishing touches to one of a series of Telford Show signboards going up around Telford for the 1986 Telford Show being held at Telford town park on September 13 that year. It was the second year running that the show was being run by volunteers from the Telford Society - previously the event was called Telford Super Saturday and run by Telford Development Corporation.
Telford Society volunteer John Saunders puts the finishing touches to one of a series of Telford Show signboards going up around Telford for the 1986 Telford Show being held at Telford town park on September 13 that year. It was the second year running that the show was being run by volunteers from the Telford Society - previously the event was called Telford Super Saturday and run by Telford Development Corporation.
A fire eater in Telford town centre in August 1985. The caption reads: 'The Falcon Mini Circus, which has been thrilling shoppers in the Telford Town Centre all week, will be making its final appearance at the centre today. It will go out with a roar and a flash as the youngest fire-eating act in the country, 15-year-old Carl Dent from Madeley, lights up the centre with an act which can throw fire over 30ft. Carl, now a professional, comes from a circus family and first learned his skill from his father when he was only 10 years old. Watching closely is another member of the circus, Jane Kirby, Carl's mum.'
A fire eater in Telford town centre in August 1985. The caption reads: 'The Falcon Mini Circus, which has been thrilling shoppers in the Telford Town Centre all week, will be making its final appearance at the centre today. It will go out with a roar and a flash as the youngest fire-eating act in the country, 15-year-old Carl Dent from Madeley, lights up the centre with an act which can throw fire over 30ft. Carl, now a professional, comes from a circus family and first learned his skill from his father when he was only 10 years old. Watching closely is another member of the circus, Jane Kirby, Carl's mum.'
Pigeon fancier John Preece from Red Lake is seen with his youngest son Glyn Preece, circa 1986.
Pigeon fancier John Preece from Red Lake is seen with his youngest son Glyn Preece, circa 1986.
Cascades nightclub, it was the first nightclub in Telford town centre. It opened in February 1985.
Cascades nightclub, it was the first nightclub in Telford town centre. It opened in February 1985.
Dancer and television personality Lionel Blair leads locals in some aerobic dancing on Saturday, May 5, 1984. The caption reads: 'Twelve year old Tracey-Jane Pooler (striped top) of Horton, near Wellington, joins TV personality Lionel Blair in some open air aerobic dancing at the official opening of the Bradford and Bingley Building Society Telford and Country Property Centre in Wellington today.'
Dancer and television personality Lionel Blair leads locals in some aerobic dancing on Saturday, May 5, 1984. The caption reads: 'Twelve year old Tracey-Jane Pooler (striped top) of Horton, near Wellington, joins TV personality Lionel Blair in some open air aerobic dancing at the official opening of the Bradford and Bingley Building Society Telford and Country Property Centre in Wellington today.'
Artillery guns being installed at the Donnington Garrison roundabout on Thursday, January 10, 1985. The caption was: 'The Army at COD Donnington yesterday handed over three 5.5in field guns to Telford Development Corporation to be positioned on the traffic island opposite the depot entrance. The guns have been refurbished and made safe by the garrison and were presented to the corporation by Brigadier H R Higgins...'
Artillery guns being installed at the Donnington Garrison roundabout on Thursday, January 10, 1985. The caption was: 'The Army at COD Donnington yesterday handed over three 5.5in field guns to Telford Development Corporation to be positioned on the traffic island opposite the depot entrance. The guns have been refurbished and made safe by the garrison and were presented to the corporation by Brigadier H R Higgins...'
Len Murray, former general secretary of the TUC, opens Telford railway station on May 12, 1986. Len Murray was born in Hadley. The original caption was: 'Lord Murray flags away the first train from Telford Central today.'
Len Murray, former general secretary of the TUC, opens Telford railway station on May 12, 1986. Len Murray was born in Hadley. The original caption was: 'Lord Murray flags away the first train from Telford Central today.'
Ken Jones, from Little Wenlock, was one of the earliest Friends of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. This picture dates from December 18, 1984, at which time Mr Jones was chairman of the Friends.
Ken Jones, from Little Wenlock, was one of the earliest Friends of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. This picture dates from December 18, 1984, at which time Mr Jones was chairman of the Friends.
Princess Anne opens Telford Ice Rink on October 10, 1984. Lord Northfield provides a helping hand for Clare Bennett as presents Princess Anne with a bouquet.
Princess Anne opens Telford Ice Rink on October 10, 1984. Lord Northfield provides a helping hand for Clare Bennett as presents Princess Anne with a bouquet.
Telford United players celebrate after victory in the FA Cup fourth round against Darlington. This picture was taken on February 4, 1985. The caption read: 'Raising a glass - and the roof. Telford United's victorious Cup fighters obviously in good voice as they celebrate the historic win over Darlington.' The 3-0 win set up a historic Fifth Round FA Cup tie against Everton.
Telford United players celebrate after victory in the FA Cup fourth round against Darlington. This picture was taken on February 4, 1985. The caption read: 'Raising a glass - and the roof. Telford United's victorious Cup fighters obviously in good voice as they celebrate the historic win over Darlington.' The 3-0 win set up a historic Fifth Round FA Cup tie against Everton.
August 1985: One of a series of pictures showing the scientifically monitored demolition of an 150-year-old canal bridge at Preston-on-the-Weald-Moors as part of destructive load testing research. The bridge was pulled downwards by jacks against ground anchors in destructive load testing.
August 1985: One of a series of pictures showing the scientifically monitored demolition of an 150-year-old canal bridge at Preston-on-the-Weald-Moors as part of destructive load testing research. The bridge was pulled downwards by jacks against ground anchors in destructive load testing.
Another picture of the bridge demolition in August 1985.
Another view of the bridge demolition in August 1985.
Originally published on September 12, 1985: 'A mass walk was held last night on Nedge Hill, Stirchley, Telford, as a protest against plans for silicon valley style development there. The walkers were given a quick talk before the start by Mr David Morgan, vice-chairman of the preservation committee.'
Originally published on September 12, 1985: 'A mass walk was held last night on Nedge Hill, Stirchley, Telford, as a protest against plans for silicon valley style development there. The walkers were given a quick talk before the start by Mr David Morgan, vice-chairman of the preservation committee.'
October 10, 1985, the caption reads: 'Dr Edith Marion Metcalfe, who is retiring at the end of the month, in her surgery at Sutton Hill Medical Practice. Dr Metcalfe has been closely involved in Telford affairs and has been a magistrate in the area for 24 years.'
October 10, 1985, the caption reads: 'Dr Edith Marion Metcalfe, who is retiring at the end of the month, in her surgery at Sutton Hill Medical Practice. Dr Metcalfe has been closely involved in Telford affairs and has been a magistrate in the area for 24 years.'
A July 1985 picture of a topping out ceremony at the old Brookhill Crescent, Ketley: 'Drinks on the house... A barrel of beer was hoisted to the top of a residential block in Telford to mark the completion to roof level of one of the phases of a big housing facelift scheme. Wrekin Council are converting the old flats in Brookhill Crescent, Ketley, into smart new two-storey houses and yesterday men from the contractors, Frank Galliers of Shrewsbury, lined the rooftop to toast their success in a traditional topping-out ceremony.' The new houses were renamed Wedgewood Crescent.
A July 1985 picture of a topping out ceremony at the old Brookhill Crescent, Ketley: 'Drinks on the house... A barrel of beer was hoisted to the top of a residential block in Telford to mark the completion to roof level of one of the phases of a big housing facelift scheme. Wrekin Council are converting the old flats in Brookhill Crescent, Ketley, into smart new two-storey houses and yesterday men from the contractors, Frank Galliers of Shrewsbury, lined the rooftop to toast their success in a traditional topping-out ceremony.' The new houses were renamed Wedgewood Crescent.
'Michael McLafferty of Donnington ambulance team makes quite a splash in the marathon team event at the Shropshire Fire Service It's a Knockout competition held at Telford Town Park on Saturday' reads the caption pasted on the back of this print in the Shropshire Star picture archive. It was taken on July 26, 1986.
'Michael McLafferty of Donnington ambulance team makes quite a splash in the marathon team event at the Shropshire Fire Service It's a Knockout competition held at Telford Town Park on Saturday' reads the caption pasted on the back of this print in the Shropshire Star picture archive. It was taken on July 26, 1986.
Thousands of plastic ducks take to the River Severn at Ironbridge, kicking off the annual Ironbridge Duck Race on May 6, 1985.
This picture is a little grainy, but this is thousands of plastic ducks on the River Severn at Ironbridge, kicking off the annual Ironbridge Duck Race on May 6, 1985.
'Pupils from the John Hunt School, Trench, will be the stars of a Granada TV programme. The pupils were taken to Blists Hill Museum where they discussed programmes on television, talking about their likes and dislikes. From left, front: Sean Bayley, Steven Hutchings, Mark Taylor, (back) Lynn Cawley, Tracey Robinson, Elisabeth Rimmer, Wanda Oakey, Jason Lloyd, John Medlicott and Kristina Thompson.' The picture was taken on March 12, 1985. The school later merged with Hadley Manor School to become the Sutherland School, which closed July 2015, being amalgamated with Wrockwardine Wood school on a new site in Oakengates
'Pupils from the John Hunt School, Trench, will be the stars of a Granada TV programme. The pupils were taken to Blists Hill Museum where they discussed programmes on television, talking about their likes and dislikes. From left, front: Sean Bayley, Steven Hutchings, Mark Taylor, (back) Lynn Cawley, Tracey Robinson, Elisabeth Rimmer, Wanda Oakey, Jason Lloyd, John Medlicott and Kristina Thompson.' The picture was taken on March 12, 1985. The school later merged with Hadley Manor School to become the Sutherland School, which closed July 2015, being amalgamated with Wrockwardine Wood school on a new site in Oakengates.