Letters

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: This aerial view of Shrewsbury, believed to date from around 1963, takes in Abbey Foregate, English Bridge and Gay Meadow. Also visible are the site of the former Wakeman School, Abbey railway station and the railway tracks running through the town.

Nanny State, flooding and winter health – letters, plus an aerial view

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Determined youngsters bound towards the finish line in burlap sacks during sports day at the Longmynd Adventure Camp in the summer of 1983. Captured in a field at Minton, the scene shows the simple, timeless joys of the tented summer getaway that provided a countryside escape for generations of children. Loaned by Alan Scriven, author of The Longmynd Adventure Camp and Me, the photograph reflects a deep personal history: Alan first arrived at the camp as a boy in 1965 and went on to spend 33 years there, eventually taking charge as 'Skipper'. Were you one of the youngsters who spent summer under canvas at the Longmynd Adventure Camp, or do you remember sports days at Minton back in 1983?

Politicians and NHS concerns – your letters, plus sports day memories

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: A sea of flat caps, bowlers, and bonnets fills the centre of Ludlow as a massive crowd gathers outside the historic Buttercross to welcome newlywed Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles on June 6, 1922. The photograph, published in David Evans’s book Dawdling in the Dale, captures the town’s jubilant celebrations framed by the landmark Bodenhams drapery store in the background.

NHS praise, wind farms – your letters and Ludlow’s royal visit in 1922

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Lovebirds Angela Lloyd and Wayne Boycott gave their big day a spine-chilling twist when they tied the knot in full fancy dress on Halloween. The Burntwood couple traded traditional wedding attire for ghoulish makeup and macabre outfits as they signed the register back on October 31, 2017. Friends and family also got into the spooky spirit, joining the bride and groom in full costume for the hauntingly unique ceremony.

Letters: Halloween meets Christmas, plus a spooky wedding picture

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Office staff at Alveley Colliery took a well-earned break in the summer sunshine when they gathered outside the pithead for this group snapshot back in 1948. The 11-strong team, captured smiling on the colliery grounds, traded their paperwork and ledgers for a brief pause in front of the lens. Pictured in the back row are (from left) Tom Cadwallader, Olive Link, Dennis Bache, Doreen Giles, Ted Warrington, and possibly Joan Childs. Taking a seat at the front are (from left) Harold Powell, Wilbur Lloyd, Marie Price (née Robinson), Denise Davies, and Keith Holford.

Political debate and EU ties – your letters, plus colliery memories

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: In 1990, sixth-formers at the Royal Wolverhampton School gave their charity appeal a supersonic boost by pitting their strength against a Jaguar jet. More than 20 pupils joined forces to haul the aircraft 500 yards across the tarmac at RAF Cosford in a strongman stunt. The sponsored challenge was the latest in a series of events being held as part of the teenagers’ annual Lenten Appeal.

Your letters on Halloween and e-bikes, plus pupils take on a jet

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Prime Minister Tony Blair chats with Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto as world leaders take a stroll down the stone steps at Weston Park on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border in 1998. The distinguished group gathering for the G8 retreat included US President Bill Clinton, French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and Russia’s Boris Yeltsin.

Letters: Nato and High Streets, plus world leaders at Weston Park

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: The Mayor of the French town of Thiers, Mr Maurice Adevah-Pœuf (left), joins Bridgnorth Mayor Councillor Mike McCarthy to display the official scrolls marking the twinning of their two towns on October 1, 1978. A large crowd gathered in Bridgnorth's High Street to celebrate the civic ceremony cementing the international partnership. Were you among the crowds on the High Street that day, or have you ever taken part in a Bridgnorth-Thiers twinning exchange?

River dredging, wildlife, EU debate and Bridgnorth twinning in 1978

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Members of England’s 1966 World Cup squad - Peter Thompson, Ron Flowers, Martin Peters, and Bobby Charlton, weave through slalom poles with footballs during an intensive training session at Lilleshall Hall in Shropshire. The national sports centre served as the quiet, secluded base where manager Sir Alf Ramsey put his squad through their paces ahead of their historic World Cup victory later that summer.

Readers’ views on the 1970s and Thatcher, plus England’s 1966 heroes

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: England manager Walter Winterbottom (right) shares a quiet moment in conversation with Wolverhampton Wanderers inside-right Peter Broadbent during an international squad gathering in 1960. The pair were pictured at Lilleshall, the national sports centre on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border that served as the primary training base for the England national team for many years. Do you remember Peter Broadbent playing during Wolves' golden era, or visiting Lilleshall Hall during its years as an elite sporting hub? We’ll have another Lilleshall picture on Monday.

Fire stations, Crooked House and a football legend in 1960

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: A barber wearing a protective visor works on a client wearing a face mask inside a Bridgnorth barbershop as coronavirus lockdown restrictions eased across England in July 2020. After months of closure, the summer respite allowed locals to finally replace questionable home DIY haircuts with a professional trim. Did you queue up for a professional haircut as soon as barbers reopened, or did you stick with a lockdown DIY trim?

Letters: Loneliness, school trips and a 2020 barbershop scene

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Dora Mayall slices a loaf of homemade bread at Lea Hall in Harmer Hill, captured in a photograph published on July 23, 1960. Married to local farmer Sam Mayall, Dora baked her own loaves using wheat grown right on their farm—a true picture of self-sufficiency and natural living long before it became a modern trend. Do you or your family bake your own bread using traditional methods, or does this slice of 1960s farm life bring back fond memories?

Letters: EU U-turn, loud music and loneliness, plus 1960s farm life

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Former classmates gathered at Idsall School in Shifnal in 2020 for a memorable school reunion. Event organisers Dr Anne Woolridge (née Baston) from Albrighton (far left) and Nick Billingham from Shifnal (far right) led the group as the old friends reconnected and caught up on their lives since leaving school. Were you part of the Class of '78 at Idsall School, or do you recognise any familiar faces in the crowd?

Your letters: EU, Brexit and prisons, plus Shifnal's class of '78

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: The Mayor of the French town of Thiers, Mr Maurice Adevah-Pœuf (left), and Bridgnorth Mayor Councillor Mike McCarthy pose proudly in Bridgnorth High Street on October 1, 1978. The pair held up the official scrolls commemorating the civic ceremony that formally united Bridgnorth and Thiers as twin towns. Were you in the High Street crowd to watch this historic moment in Bridgnorth's history?

Letters: Wildlife, Europe and Strictly, plus a 1978 twinning ceremony

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: This aerial photograph captures the changing skyline of Whitchurch in 1978. Key landmarks of the Shropshire market town stand out clearly across the townscape: the historic St Alkmund's Church dominates the top left, the bustling Smithfield market occupies the top right, and the town's local dairy site is visible in the bottom left. Do you recognise any of your favourite streets or buildings in this 1970s view of the town?

Pensions, transport and the Budget - letters, plus a 1978 aerial view

Nigel Hadlow, who was assistant general manager of the Chasewater Light Railway, near Cannock, was sprucing up some old signs ready for the new season when this picture was taken in February, 1978. Old railway signs continue to be in high demand from collectors.

'What's going on with the Royal Mail?' - Your letters

Dorothy Croxton was a cobbler in the village of Penkridge, Staffordshire, and is pictured here at her workshop in May 1970. She took over the job when her husband left the business to work for the council. This image comes from the national archives of the Press Association.

'Was I brainwashed on Brexit?' - Your letters Pictures from the Past
Your letters and two Pictures from the Past
By The Newsroom

An elephant named ‘Five’, aged 13, paints a portrait of Lottie and Adam Smith at the West Midlands Safari Park in a picture from April 2009 . Five arrived at the park as an orphan from South Africa
when she was around six years old and is one of a group of elephants popular with visitors.

'Why Andy Burnham should leave rural life alone' - Your Letters

A Buccaneer bomber making its last journey by transporter from RAF Shawbury to its final resting place at Cosford Museum on January 20, 1993. It came from RAF Lossiemouth and operated from Bahrain during the Gulf War. The journey brought many logistical challenges.

‘Why choose October 7 for pro-Palestinian marches?’ - Your letters

Goalkeeper Bert Williams, pictured at his Shifnal home in 2010 when he was given an MBE in
the Queen's Birthday Honours. He played 381 times for Wolves and had 24 England caps and
is widely rated one of the best keepers England has produced. He died in 2014 aged 93.

'We love our child's school' - Your letters

Chaplain of the Fleet Rev. Simon Golding, right, discusses the forthcoming international Military Chiefs of Chaplains conference with US Col. John W Stefero, Command Chaplain for the
United States European Command at the RAF Museum, Cosford in February 2002.

'Zionism belief is not racist' - Your letters

Pop star Meat Loaf is greeted at Stafford railway station by Prince Edward for rehearsals of charity event, the Grand Knockout Tournament at Alton Towers Theme Park. The show featured members of the Royal Family along with celebrities compete on obstacle courses.

‘We were misled on NHS spending’ - Your letters

Fire at COD Donnington, Telford. The blaze in a massive stores building was on June 24, 1983, and this picture dates from that day. The fire, believed to be arson, caused damage worth over £150 million. Asbestos from the building’s roof went into the atmosphere and landed around the area.

Bumper letters postbag - and two pictures from the past

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Member of Parliament Andrew Bonar Law in conversation with General MacKinnon during a visit to Shrewsbury School in January 1915. Standing directly behind Law is E T Page, former master at Charterhouse School. Following this visit, Bonar Law joined the wartime coalition cabinet in May 1915 and later served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from October 1922 to May 1923.

Letters: Pension debate, and Bonar Law pictured at Shrewsbury School

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: A major road project takes shape as construction gets underway on the new Midlands Expressway, later known as the M6 Toll. The privately funded £485 million road was built to relieve congestion on the M6 and opened to traffic in January 2004. The project attracted criticism from environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, over its impact on the local landscape, while campaigners also questioned the decision to use traditional toll booths rather than electronic payment systems. Do you remember the M6 Toll being built – and what did you think of the new road when it opened?

Your letters: Proms debate, royal security and memories of the M6 Toll

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Members of 3rd Wombourne Methodist Scout Group launch their new "Squirrels" section for 4 and 5-year-olds. Front to back: Finley (5), Ayanna (5), George (5), and Ben (4), with Scout Leader Tania Timmins. Back (L-R): Henry Cleaver (Scout Leader) and Darryl Poultney (Group Scout Leader & District Commissioner). The group is currently seeking additional volunteers so they can welcome even more young members.

Letters: Road safety concerns and Squirrels memories from the archive

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Miller Chris Narburgh carries a heavy sack across the cobbled courtyard at Milford Mill, near Baschurch, on January 11, 1961. He is pictured beneath the timber supports of an old archway, with winter sunlight casting long shadows across the courtyard and surrounding brick buildings. The picture offers a glimpse of working life at the mill, where traditional milling was still part of the rural landscape of Shropshire in the early 1960s. Do you remember seeing Milford Mill in operation or visiting the area around Baschurch in the 1960s? What other traditional mills or country trades bring back memories?

Your letters: Migrant returns, tax and a look back at Milford Mill

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Eager runners surge forward beneath a soaring canopy of multi-coloured smoke as the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Colour Chaos run gets underway at RAF Cosford in 2018. Participants of all ages, clad in white t-shirts, dash across the airfield grass as clouds of blue, yellow, and pink powder launch into the air. Organised to raise vital funds for service personnel, veterans, and their families, the charity fun run transformed the historic airfield into a spectacle of vivid colour, energetic enthusiasm, and community spirit. Did you or anyone in your family take part in the Colour Chaos run or other charity events at RAF Cosford?

Readers have their say - plus a colourful RAF Cosford memory
Today’s letters focus on a dispute over hospital history, concerns about road safety in Shrewsbury and complaints about pothole repairs
Tania Taylor

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Spectators scurry away from the water's edge as a dramatic wave from the Severn Bore crashes over the riverbank at Stonebench in Gloucestershire in 1953. Known as one of the most popular vantage points along the river, Stonebench offers a front-row view of the impressive natural phenomenon, where a heaving wall of water surges upstream during spring tides. Funnelled by the unusual shape of the estuary, the powerful surge often catches onlookers off guard as it sweeps violently past the grassy banks. The dramatic photograph captures a thrilling moment of surprise and retreat as spectators scramble uphill to escape the cold, muddy spray. Have you ever witnessed the incredible power of the Severn Bore in person? Do you remember travelling to watch high spring tides or dramatic natural sights during the 1950s?

From bus fares to school plans: Your views - plus an archive memory

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Greeting two young fundraisers and their four-legged companions at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II chats warmly with Rachel Dancer from Telford (centre), and Holly Smith from Sheffield. The dedicated pair completed an extraordinary walk all the way from Balmoral in Scotland to London to raise funds for the Michael Elliott Trust animal sanctuary. Pictured alongside their donkeys, Joshua and Tinker, the young women earned a memorable royal reception following their gruelling cross-country journey. The heartwarming moment captures the spirit of charity endurance and a unique royal encounter outside the palace grounds.

Letters: From moonlit wonder, AI and football - plus a royal welcome

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Memories of Blue School, Ironbridge (c. 1950–1951). Paper party hats, festive bunting, and smiling faces - this nostalgic image captures the pupils of the Blue School on St Luke’s Road during a Christmas gathering over 70 years ago. Shared from the family collection of Peter Fletcher, whose father, Joe Fletcher, was a tireless local organiser for youth sports and clubs in Ironbridge. The photo holds special personal significance as it includes Peter's late sister, Rosemary Fletcher, pictured on the back row in a striped top.

GP struggles, tax changes and memories from an Ironbridge school

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Captured from high above the River Severn around 2008, an aerial view looks down over Frankwell, showing the Guildhall complex to the right and the new Theatre Severn taking shape on the left. The impressive venue officially opened its doors in March 2009 following a three-year building project, swiftly growing into a cornerstone of the town's night-time leisure economy and arts scene. Nestled along the waterfront near Welsh Bridge, the development transformed the former riverside site into a major contemporary landmark for Shrewsbury. The prospective bird's-eye photo offers a fascinating snapshot of the town's architectural evolution and urban regeneration during the late 2000s.

Letters: Royal revelations, derby day and a changing Shrewsbury

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Posing proudly alongside a classic wooden scoreboard bearing those legendary magic digits, local snooker player Matthew Davies celebrates the ultimate potting achievement at Shifnal War Memorial Club in 2016. Ever since Steve Davis made history with the first televised maximum back in 1982, reaching a 147 break has been the absolute holy grail for snooker players everywhere. Clearing the table red-by-red and black-by-black is a rare feat at any level, making Matthew's incredible local club milestone a moment of pure potting perfection! Have you ever witnessed a maximum 147 break in person at your local club, or what is your own highest snooker break?

Letters: Burnham, defence, Shifnal's 20mph limit – plus a 147 break

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: This fascinating picture takes us back to Spencer’s blacksmith’s shop in the Broadway, Shifnal, although the exact date of the photograph is unknown. The business later moved to Church Street, but the premises pictured here have since been demolished.

Buses, football, security and more: Readers have their say

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Spitting Image puppet of Eric Cantona goes under the hammer in local auction: Davina York from auctioneers Mullock Madeley carefully adjusts the collar on the iconic Spitting Image puppet of French football star Eric Cantona in Cosford in 2001. Complete with his signature turned-up collar, the satirical latex figure was one of many standout items put up for sale during a major football memorabilia auction in the area. The quirky display brought a touch of 1990s television nostalgia and sporting history to local collectors. Did you ever tune in to watch Spitting Image poke fun at football's biggest stars back in the '90s?

Readers have their say on wartime memories, Farage and grass cutting

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Seated inside the instrument-packed cockpit of a Heron aircraft, 72-year-old Mrs Bobby Davies from Stanton enjoys a special flight down memory lane in 1966. A veteran who served in the Women's Royal Air Force during the First World War, Mrs Davies was treated to an exclusive tour of the controls alongside pilot Wing Commander Bob Nicholl. The sentimental trip allowed her to revisit RAF Shawbury, the very base where she had served decades earlier.

Your views on Reform UK and rising bills - plus a 1966 memory

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: A stylishly dressed couple enjoy a meal and cigarettes with an elevated view over the newly constructed M6 motorway ahead of the grand opening of Keele Services in Staffordshire in 1963. Operated by Forte’s & Co. Ltd, the £500,000 service station featured a striking bridge restaurant spanning the carriageway, with seating for nearly 300 diners. The complex also included snack bars, transport cafés, extensive parking and a dedicated mothers’ room staffed by trained stewardesses. It was due to open in autumn 1963 alongside the Birmingham–Preston stretch of the motorway. Do you remember visiting the bridge restaurant at Keele Services when the M6 first opened?

Readers' memories of life before mobiles and the M6's early days

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Midlands Air Ambulance Charity chief executive Hanna Sebright (left) and air crew supervisor Karen Baker smile alongside a striking new sculpture in March 2017. Created by artist Richard Thornton to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary, the stainless steel artwork was unveiled at the Roadchef Norton Canes services on the M6 Toll. The monument stands as a lasting tribute to a quarter-century of vital rapid-response missions delivered across the region by the charity's dedicated crew members and supporters.

Your letters: Debate on politics and immigration, plus a 2017 tribute

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Salop Caravans was flying the flag for Shropshire at the Earls Court Caravan Show in London in 1968. Pictured on the company’s exhibition stand are, from left, Geoffrey Betts, Elsie Harper, Marjorie Betts, Tony Bywater, Dave Winstanley and Chris Pritchard. The show would have been a major opportunity to showcase the growing popularity of caravanning to visitors from across the country. Do you remember Salop Caravans or the early days of caravan holidays?

Readers tackle rising bills and Brexit - plus a 1968 caravan show

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: A young pupil at Condover Hall School for the Blind gets to experience a little royal luxury by running his hands over Princess Margaret’s Rolls-Royce during her visit to the school on October 13, 1970. The Princess was there to open a new £230,000 block of flats designed to help pupils and staff take part in a new ‘family life’ system. Do you remember Princess Margaret’s visit to Condover?

Readers’ views on net zero and POWs, plus a royal moment from 1970

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Dressed in a splendid top hat, 78-year-old Samuel Brighton sounds a fanfare on a vintage post horn to draw shoppers to his antique stall beneath Bridgnorth's iconic Town Hall on September 2, 1966. Assisted by his wife, Mabel, 73, who holds up a polished silver dish, the couple showcase an array of brassware, copper vessels, and curious knick-knacks along the High Street. Their lively trade and characterful presentation brought a wonderful touch of traditional showmanship to the weekly Shropshire market scene.

Your letters: Dangerous bikers, rising bills and Bridgnorth in 1966

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Steaming along a track with the towering cooling towers of Ironbridge Power Station behind it, a full-scale replica of Richard Trevithick’s historic 1802 steam locomotive brings industrial history to life. Built at GKN Sankey in Telford by a team of nine engineering apprentices, the replica faithfully recreates the world’s first steam railway locomotive using Trevithick’s original blueprints, with only minor modifications made to meet modern safety standards. The image brings together two distinct eras of power generation and engineering in the heart of Shropshire.

Letters: JLR, first aid and Farage, plus a steam-powered time trip

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Penkridge's streets fell unusually quiet in May 1970, as the National Farmers' Union livestock sales boycott took hold. Farmers kept a close watch on West Midlands markets to prevent blacklegs from breaking the action. Do you remember this extraordinary day?

Reader's letter: Andy Burnham's bus visit and a look back to 1970

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: RAF Cosford became a place of hope in the closing months of the Second World War, welcoming British prisoners of war home after years in captivity. Dated September 10, 1945, this poignant photograph shows airmen receiving special rehabilitation treatment as they recovered from the physical and emotional effects of imprisonment. Do you remember hearing stories of returning POWs or RAF Cosford's role in those historic days?

Your letters: PM's suit, rewilding and a poignant 1945 RAF picture

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: May 1970 – Who remembers the Shropshire Star’s ‘Swinging Mum’ competition? Mrs Eleanor Peever, 78, of Minerva House, Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere, was crowned the winner. She later visited the Shropshire Star offices at Ketley to collect her prize – a fully automatic teamaker complete with bone china cups and saucers. She was presented with the prize by Women’s Page Editor Shirley Tart.

Readers debate roads and council priorities, plus a 1970 winning smile

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Christmas morning, 1946 – more than 200 German prisoners of war from the camp at Penkridge attend Mass at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Cannock. The men had brought toys they had made for poor children in the town, before being served tea and cigarettes in the parish room.

Readers have their say on bins and migration, plus a 1946 picture

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Wombourne seen from above in July 1969, with its familiar streets and rows of post-war homes stretching out across the village – a glimpse of a community changing rapidly in the post-war years.

Readers have their say on buses, Freeview, plus a 1969 view

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Telford town centre, 1972. Mr John Dugdale, chairman of Telford Development Corporation, pours the first skip of concrete to mark the beginning of the first phase of the new town centre. Watched by invited guests, the ceremony marked another step in the development of the new town. The picture was taken by Brian Bould. Do you remember Telford town centre taking shape in those early days?

Wolves memories, political warnings and a picture from Telford’s past

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Students and staff at Nearwell, a boys’ boarding hostel for students at Shrewsbury Technical College, pictured around 1953 or 1954. Among those pictured is Richard Jones, who stayed at Nearwell from 1952 to 1954 while studying agriculture. He later recalled leaving college at 15 and immediately returning to work on his parents’ farm at Burwarton. Richard supplied the names of many of those pictured, including Miss Hamer, the cook, Edwin Golden, Dennis Cookson, John Morris, John Bannister and fellow student Sarah Jones. Nearwell stood on the site where Shirehall was later built before the hostel was demolished to make way for the new development. Do you remember Nearwell or know anyone else who stayed there?

Socialism, rewilding and a nostalgic look at student life in the 1950s

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: in February 1972, protesters march through Tong to oppose the proposed southern route of the M54 motorway. The campaign attracted strong local feeling as plans for the new road sparked debate across the area. Were you there, or do you remember the controversy?

Your letters: Democracy, safer cycling and a 1972 M54 protest

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Bridgnorth's new £82,000 police station at Tasley Bank was officially opened in July 1972, with the public invited to look around during its first week. Operations assistant Miss Helen Wainwright is watched at work by, from left, Deputy Chief Constable of West Mercia E.A. Abbott, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Lieutenant Colonel A. Heywood-Lonsdale and Chief Inspector Fred Lloyd. Do you remember the police station when it first opened?

Your letters: School holidays, rising bills and 1972 archive image

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Half a century after competing in Shrewsbury's It's A Knockout in 1969, this group came together once again for a 50th anniversary dinner and reunion at the Lord Hill Hotel in 2019. Can you spot anyone you know?

Your letters: Career advice, Clacton politics and a reunion

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Shropshire miners stand in falling snow as they picket outside Ironbridge Power Station on February 1, 1972. The men, from Granville Colliery and members of the National Union of Mineworkers, were described as cheerful and hopeful despite the wintry conditions. Second from right is NUM official Herbie Hirst. Do you remember the miners' pickets at Ironbridge, or recognise anyone else in this picture?

Letters: Asylum, politics and whinberry pie – plus a snowy picket line

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: This poignant picture captures miners at Madeley Wood colliery, also known as Kemberton Pit, during its final shift before the pit closed in 1967. The photograph was shared by Rob Ford, whose late father Jim Ford is seventh down the line. Jim began his working life at Kemberton before moving on to Granville colliery and later Lea Hall colliery in Rugeley, where he worked until retiring at 55. A fascinating glimpse of Madeley’s mining heritage. Do you recognise anyone else in the picture?

Your views: plagiarism, small boats, Farage – plus archive picture

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: A very unusual cycling proficiency presentation in 1983, as international singer Andy Williams hands a certificate to six-year-old Daren Wise at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton. The other youngsters are Jordan Jukes, Michelle Murray, Andrew Smith, Darren MacDonald and Philip Parker. All six were children of servicemen stationed at COD Donnington, and the presentation was the brainchild of Corporal Ron Sowtus, who wanted to do something different from the usual certificate ceremonies.

Pensions, wind farms and North Sea oil – letters and an archive memory

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Needles, wool and plenty of concentration – Miss Blackwell's class at St Leonard's School in Listley Street, Bridgnorth, pictured around 1952. At the front is young Lynda Jones, busy with her knitting. Do you recognise any of the other children, or remember your days at St Leonard's School?

Letters: Socialism, Ken Dodd and a 1950s classroom picture

Walsall police officers were preparing for a celebrity football match at Fellows Park to raise money for a police charity, which was held in February 1983. Pictured here in training for the event are detectives Bill Squires, Pete Jones, Mick Pearce, Brian Milligan and Cyril Adams.

French cars, Victor Meldrew and Ann Droid - your letters

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