Telford Central railway station on its opening day, 12 May 1986, captures a landmark moment in the town’s modern history as passengers and rail enthusiasts gather to witness the arrival of the first down revamped Cambrian Coast Express from Euston to Aberystwyth. This image, shared by Geoff Cryer of the Telford Railway Society, recalls the return of a celebrated route name last used in 1967, when the original Cambrian Coast Express ceased running as a through service. placeholder image
Telford Central railway station on its opening day, 12 May 1986, captures a landmark moment in the town’s modern history as passengers and rail enthusiasts gather to witness the arrival of the first down revamped Cambrian Coast Express from Euston to Aberystwyth. This image, shared by Geoff Cryer of the Telford Railway Society, recalls the return of a celebrated route name last used in 1967, when the original Cambrian Coast Express ceased running as a through service. | Picture courtesy of Geoff Cryer

15 photos taken in and around Telford between 1985 and 1989, showing life as it was back then

By Tania Taylor
Published 29th May 2026, 15:49 BST
Updated 29th May 2026, 17:30 BST

Back to Telford in the late 1980s

Take a trip back to Telford between 1985 and 1989 with this nostalgic gallery.

From familiar places and memorable scenes, it captures a slice of life from a changing town during the late 1980s.

Enjoy browsing through the gallery - the pictures are in no particular order - and don’t forget to share your memories and favourite snapshots in the comments.

Did you catch our nostalgic gallery of Dawley over the years? Take a trip down memory lane and have a look here.

  • You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Shropshire and Mid Wales - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here.
Telford Civic Square is in full bloom and colour in August 1989, with Telford County Court standing to the left and office buildings to the right.

5. Civic Square, 1989

Telford Civic Square is in full bloom and colour in August 1989, with Telford County Court standing to the left and office buildings to the right. | Picture: Shropshire Star

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Donnington, January 1985, captures a striking moment as artillery guns are installed on the Garrison Roundabout, marking a distinctive addition to the local streetscape. This image shows three 5.5-inch field guns presented by the Army at COD Donnington to Telford Development Corporation, following refurbishment and safety work carried out at the garrison. Handed over by Brigadier H R Higgins, the guns were positioned on the traffic island opposite the depot entrance, creating an unusual roadside landmark.

6. Garrison Roundabout, 1985

Donnington, January 1985, captures a striking moment as artillery guns are installed on the Garrison Roundabout, marking a distinctive addition to the local streetscape. This image shows three 5.5-inch field guns presented by the Army at COD Donnington to Telford Development Corporation, following refurbishment and safety work carried out at the garrison. Handed over by Brigadier H R Higgins, the guns were positioned on the traffic island opposite the depot entrance, creating an unusual roadside landmark. | Picture: Shropshire Star

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Cascades nightclub in Telford town centre, which opened in February 1985, holds a place in local nightlife history as the town’s first nightclub. A landmark of its time, it marked a new era of evening entertainment in the newly developed centre.

7. Cascades nightclub, 1985

Cascades nightclub in Telford town centre, which opened in February 1985, holds a place in local nightlife history as the town’s first nightclub. A landmark of its time, it marked a new era of evening entertainment in the newly developed centre. | Picture: Shropshire Star

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Telford Society volunteer John Saunders puts the finishing touches to one of a series of Telford Show signboards going up around the town in August 1986 ahead of that year’s event at Telford Town Park on September 13. It was the second year the show had been organised by volunteers from the Telford Society, having previously been run under the name Telford Super Saturday by the Telford Development Corporation.

8. Telford Show, 1986

Telford Society volunteer John Saunders puts the finishing touches to one of a series of Telford Show signboards going up around the town in August 1986 ahead of that year’s event at Telford Town Park on September 13. It was the second year the show had been organised by volunteers from the Telford Society, having previously been run under the name Telford Super Saturday by the Telford Development Corporation. | Picture: Shropshire Star

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