14 nostalgic photographs showing Wellington in 1974 - who and what do you recognise?

From a visit from Margaret Thatcher before a Labour victory in The Wrekin, to disappointment over a 'too small' town crest on a new sign - our photographers were on hand to capture the action 50 years ago.

Here are 14 photographs that show you some of what was taking place in and around Wellington back in the days of dark rooms and desk ash trays.

Wellington scrapyard

The caption doesn't reveal why this photograph of Wellington scrapyard was taken on January 15 - nor does any amount of Googling.

Christ Church, on New Church Road, can be seen on the left.

Roadworks off Tan Bank

The caption pasted on the back reads: 'Work in progress on the new access road off Tan Bank, Wellington. The new road will allow delivery vehicles to get to the back of shops in New Street.'

Published January 19, 1974. The picture appears to show the curve of the road - Espley Close - with what is now the car park to Escape salon on the left.

Currys - yes, that one

Taken January 1974, showing the shop front of Currys in Wellington.

Currys was originally founded in 1884 as a bicycle shop. By the 1940s, the shops also sold toys, radios and gramophones. It further expanded in 60s and 70s to become a major high street name in TVs and white goods.

A row over a road sign

Published on February 1974, with a story which read in part: "Wellington councillors are disappointed with the appearance of the town's crest on new signs being put up by Telford Development Corporation...

"Councillor Mrs Margaret Shaw said: 'I am very surprised at how small our crest looks on these signs. One lump of mud and you cannot see it.'"

The location shows the approach to Wellington from Arleston direction on the old A5, from the direction of what became the Ketley Brook traffic island.

Margaret Thatcher visits Wellington

Then, Secretary for Education Margaret Thatcher, standing, left, speaking at a campaign meeting at the Town House, Wellington, on February 21, 1974, in support of the Wrekin Conservative candidate Dr Tony Trafford.

New traffic lights at the Bucks Head

Published March 7, 1974. The caption was: 'Floodlights were switched on last night at the Bucks Head crossroads to enable men to work through the night on resurfacing the A5 and put up new traffic lights.'

Wellington Grammar boys take on Cadair Idris

Boys from Wellington Grammar School, Wellington, on Cadair Idris in 1974, published in May, 1974.

Caption reads: "Seen here on their way to the summit of 2,927ft Welsh peak Cader Idris are 11 boys from Wellington Grammar School. During the climb, part of a week's course in field studies in Wales, the boys were able to see the effects of glaciation on the landscape. Left to right: Mr T. Smith (guide), D. Harvey, R. Storey, B. Jones, P Spence, S. Robertson, S. Cairns, G. Pugh, D. Yapp, D. Corbett, P. Emberton, I. Tyrer."

The reopening of the Victoria Street bridge - or lack of

Published June 6, 1974, The caption pasted on the back of the print reads: "There was no official reopening for the Victoria Street bridge in Wellington yesterday but Police Constable Martin Bishop was on hand as contractors remove the last of the barriers.

"The bridge has been closed for 11 months to allow for the completion of the second phase of Wellington's ring road."

Work on the M54

The first section of M54 to be built was the Wellington bypass, which was built between 1973 and 1975.

This first photograph was taken on June 14, 1974, with the caption: "What looks like the start of a moon crater in the centre of the picture is the M54 Wellington bypass taking shape with Ketley Bank housing on its left.

"The Lilleshall Company buildings are in the top centre with the A5 just visible from the top left hand side snaking to the new island at Priorslee and following from that road round to the top right can be seen the perimeter road leading to the town centre."

The second photograph reportedly shows a Mrs Sheila Handley of Marton Drive, Wellington, walking her Alsatian dog, Demon, over the route of the M54 as it was under construction.

King Street Baptist Chapel

Taken on October 1, this photograph shoes the demolition of King Street Baptist Chapel. The caption, curiously, reads: "Demolition men have moved in to end the chequered history of what was once King Street Baptist Chapel, Wellington".

The Baptist Church in Wellington was originally formed in 1807 and they licensed a chapel in King Street in April 1809.

The chapel closed in 1920, and was described in records as 'derelict' by 1973.

Labour victory in The Wrekin

Labour supporters celebrating following the General Election in October. The result saw Gerry Fowler hold The Wrekin.

Conversion of council offices

Taken in October 1974, the caption reads: "Work in progress converting the old Wellington Urban District Council offices in Walker Street to shops. A restaurant is planned for the first floor, with access to the market area through the central archway."

The plan worked - with the historic building still providing the market entrance off Walker Street.

Abnormal load navigates crossroads

Published November 16, the photograph shows a giant girder reportedly weighing 45 tons and measuring 120 feet as it negotiates the traffic lights at the Cock Hotel the evening before.

According to the record, it was on its way from Adamson Alliance of Horsehay i.e. the Horsehay Works to Brierley Hill as part of an overhead crane. The tractor was driven by Denis Roderick of Wrockwardine and the steersman at the rear was George Langport of Shrewsbury.