Take a trip back more than 60 years to the Shropshire of the 1960s, when everyday life looked very different to today.
From bustling workplaces, school classrooms, and parish gatherings to changing landmarks, visiting stars, and quiet countryside moments, these archive pictures capture the people and places that shaped our county's heritage. Presented in no particular order, the gallery features long-lost buildings, early New Town developments, proud local traditions, and plenty of snapshots that are sure to spark fond memories.
Whether you remember these days first-hand or are simply curious to see how Shropshire looked during a decade of dramatic change, take a look through our gallery and see how many of the people, places, and scenes you recognise.
What aspect of 1960s Shropshire life do you miss the most, or is there a particular local event from that era you still remember clearly? Share your memories in the comments.
- In case you missed it: 27 rare photos revealing life inside one of Shropshire's most secret establishments. View them here.
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49. Shrewsbury's It’s A Knockout champions bring home European glory
Members of the triumphant Shrewsbury It's A Knockout team admire their coveted silver trophy during a civic reception at Shrewsbury Castle on 7 October 1969. Having kicked off their journey with a local heat at The Quarry in May, the team went on to represent Great Britain in the Jeux Sans Frontieres final at Blackpool on September 3, securing a famous joint-first victory alongside Wolfsburg, Germany. The triumph put Shrewsbury firmly on the international map and sparked huge celebrations across the county. Do you remember cheering on the Shrewsbury team during that unforgettable 1969 Jeux Sans Frontieres final? | Shropshire Star archive
50. End of an era as miners head home from Alveley
Framed by the looming concrete headgear, miners head away from the pithead at Alveley Colliery, likely captured around the time of its final closure in January 1969. Though situated on the Alveley side of the River Severn, the mine was routinely known as Highley Colliery as a continuation of its predecessor. Shared via the Alveley Mining Heritage Group, this moving image marks the end of centuries of coal mining in the Severn Valley, standing as a testament to the grit, hard work, and close-knit bonds of Shropshire’s mining community. Do you remember the final days of mining at Alveley, or did you have family members who worked down the pit before it closed? | Picture courtesy of Alveley Mining Heritage Group
51. Counting down the days on Madeley High Street
A quiet street scene captures Madeley High Street in April 1966, shortly before the bulldozers arrived to reshape the town. The photograph showed an area earmarked for radical demolition under the Dawley Development Corporation’s ambitious master plan. Historic timber-framed buildings, traditional shops, and even the town’s last remaining blacksmith’s forge were soon to be swept away to make way for modern redevelopment, changing the character of the old town forever. Do you remember Madeley High Street as it looked in the mid-1960s, or do you recall the blacksmith's shop before it was knocked down? | Shropshire Star archive
52. Taking their seats in the brand new Shirehall chamber
Shropshire county councillors gather for what is understood to be their very first official sitting in the newly completed council chamber at the Shirehall, Shrewsbury, on 12 November 1966. Snapped by veteran local photographer Bernard Cross, the historic image captures elected members settling into the futuristic, modern horseshoe seating layout. The impressive modern building represented a bold new chapter for local governance, replacing the old council premises in the heart of town with ultra-modern 1960s architecture. Do you remember when the new Shirehall opened in Abbey Foregate back in 1966, or did you ever attend a meeting in the council chamber? | Picture courtesy of Bernard Cross