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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17. Parent-Teacher Association gift brings modern tech to the classroom
Mr C. Henderson, chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association at Dothill Junior School in Wellington, presents a state-of-the-art film projector and accessories to headmistress Mrs J.E. Beard during a school social evening on July 3, 1970. Purchased following PTA fundraising efforts, the equipment was valued at nearly £400 - a substantial investment designed to enrich visual learning and bring educational films directly to pupils in the classroom. Do you remember watching educational reels on the school projector at Dothill Junior School back in the 1970s? | Shropshire Star archive
18. A stylish new look unveiled for historic town hotel
A receptionist welcomes guests from behind a modern, wood-panelled desk in the newly revamped foyer of the Charlton Arms Hotel in Wellington in November 1970. Ahead of its official reopening, the popular hotel underwent extensive internal remodelling to deliver a contemporary feel complete with fresh carpets, updated lighting, and smart timber finishes. While the refurbishment modernised key guest areas, care was taken to preserve the popular character of the venue's Open Road bar - even though its original indoor fountain was removed during the refit. Do you remember seeing the refurbished reception area or visiting the Open Road bar at the Charlton Arms Hotel in the 1970s? | Shropshire Star archive
19. Bustling Saturday crowds throng main shopping thoroughfare
Shoppers stroll down New Street in Wellington on a sunny Saturday, April 30, 1977. The lively scene showcases familiar retail names of the era lining the street, including Alfred Preedy newsagents, Pat-a-Cake, Harris Cleaning, Baxters butchers, and Peter Lord shoe shop, alongside C.D. Jones further up the pavement. Capturing the essence of late 1970s town life, the photograph reflects the town’s enduring role as a vibrant commercial heart for local residents. Do you remember shopping along New Street at popular spots like Preedy’s or Peter Lord back in April 1977? | Shropshire Star archive
20. Important town bridge reopens following ring road works
Contractors move the last remaining wooden barriers to reopen the Victoria Road bridge in Wellington on June 4, 1974, supervised by Police Constable Martin Bishop. The key railway crossing had been closed to all traffic for 11 months to allow engineers to complete the second phase of Wellington's new ring road system. Despite the lack of an official opening ceremony, the reopening was welcomed by local motorists and traders eager for improved traffic flow around the town centre. Do you remember the traffic delays in Wellington while the Victoria Road bridge was closed during the 1970s ring road construction? | Shropshire Star archive