Step back into 1970s Wellington and see a familiar market town in the midst of dramatic change.
As the new town of Telford expanded around it, Wellington was reshaped during a decade of demolition, construction and redevelopment. Streets were altered, old buildings came down and new roads, pedestrian schemes and developments began to change the town’s appearance. Places such as Groom’s Alley and Tan Bank were transformed, creating a very different-looking Wellington from the one people knew before.
Yet among the building works and changing streetscapes, there are plenty of reminders of everyday life – familiar shops and businesses, busy roads, local landmarks and the people who lived and worked in the town.
Drawn from the Shropshire Star archive, these photographs capture Wellington as it looked during the 1970s – from demolition and construction to ordinary scenes of town life.
Take a stroll through the gallery and see how many streets, buildings, shops and familiar faces you can recognise. What do you remember about Wellington in the 1970s? Let us know in the comments.
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37. Taking the stage during the heyday of Shropshire’s local music scene
Local pop group Dollymixcha perform on stage at the Town House in Wellington circa 1970. The photograph comes from the personal memorabilia of Dawley-born drummer Dawn Rice (née Cullis), who played percussion for several popular Shropshire bands across the 1960s and 1970s - including The Greasers, The Pacifics, Bird 'n' Bees, Fluff, and later Duplicate. The image offers a nostalgic glimpse into Wellington’s vibrant nightlife and live music circuit during the era. Do you remember watching Dollymixcha or other local Shropshire bands perform at the Town House back in the 1970s? | Picture courtesy of Dawn Rice
38. Wrecking ball signals end of era for historic chapel building
Demolition teams move in to pull down the former King Street Baptist Chapel in Wellington on October 1, 1974. The historic building had a varied past; following its closure as a place of worship, it famously served for many years as the Norah Wellings soft toy factory before later being used as a radio repair depot. Bearing a 'building land for sale' sign on its boarded-up entrance, the derelict brick structure was cleared to make way for new redevelopment in the town. Do you remember buying toys from the Norah Wellings factory or seeing the old chapel before its demolition in 1974? | Shropshire Star archive
39. Youngsters put their road knowledge to the test in town safety quiz
Members of the Wellington Methodist Youth Club steal a few last-minute looks at the Highway Code before taking part in the Wellington youth organisations road safety quiz on November 18, 1971. Pictured from left are Jane Phillips, Janet Austin, Linda Bush, and John Phillips, all dressed smartly as they revise key road rules ahead of the friendly competition. Such quizzes were a popular and educational feature for local youth groups during the 1970s. Do you remember taking part in the local youth road safety quizzes in Wellington during the 1970s? | Shropshire Star archive
40. Hero’s welcome for local footballers despite Wembley final defeat
A massive crowd of supporters packs into The Square, Wellington, on May 4, 1970, to give Telford United FC a rousing homecoming welcome. Despite falling 2-0 to Macclesfield Town in the inaugural FA Trophy Final at Wembley, the players were greeted as local heroes by hundreds of proud fans who turned out with tannoy speakers and cheering crowds to celebrate the team's historic cup run. Were you among the crowds in The Square welcoming the Telford United team home from Wembley back in May 1970? | Shropshire Star archive