These photographs from the Shropshire Star archives capture life across the county in 1978, from royal visits and famous faces to community events, local industry and historic moments.
Prince Charles flew into Shrewsbury to open the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, while Richard Burton and Billy Connolly brought film-set excitement to Ellesmere College. Elsewhere, villagers recreated the Silver Jubilee in Llanfair Waterdine, young riders competed at Wistanswick gymkhana, and miners fought to save Granville Colliery.
What are your memories of 1978? Did you see Prince Charles arrive by helicopter, work on Stanmore Industrial Estate, or take part in any of the events featured? We'd love to hear your memories, so share your stories in the comments below.
- Missed our gallery of 73 nostalgic photos showing Shropshire in the 1960s? Take a look here.
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17. Waiting patient for the daily loaf
Shoppers line up along the pavement outside Saverite on November 7, 1978, as a national strike by bakery workers hit local store shelves hard. With wrapped loaves in short supply across the country, shoppers in Wellington wrapped up warm against the autumn chill, bringing prams and shopping trolleys to queue patiently for whatever fresh bread arrived. Do you remember queuing for your daily bread or baking your own during the winter strikes of 1978? | Shropshire Star archive

18. A bird's-eye view of a bustling Shropshire market town
An impressive aerial photograph captured in May 1978 showcases the heart of Newport from high above. Dominating the centre of the frame is the tower of St Nicholas' Church, with Adams' Grammar School and its extensive grounds visible in the right foreground. To the left sits the open expanse of the New Street car park, offering a fascinating perspective on the town's historical street layout and suburban surroundings as they stood in the late 1970s. How much has this view of Newport changed since this aerial photo was taken in 1978? | Picture: Aerofilms Ltd

19. Five-star Birch fires Market Drayton Town to cup glory
Star striker Derek Birch proudly lifts the trophy surrounded by his ecstatic Market Drayton Town team-mates at the Bucks Head ground on April 26, 1978. Birch put on a sensational one-man show in the Wellington League Shropshire Star Cup final, netting all five goals in a crushing 5-1 victory over Wellington Amateurs. After firing in two early strikes, Birch answered a goal from Amateurs' Chris Benting with a brilliant second-half hat-trick to seal the silverware in style. Were you at the Bucks Head to watch Derek Birch's five-goal masterclass, or do you remember this winning Market Drayton Town side? | Shropshire Star archive

20. Tranquillity returns following a major bypass scheme
Peace returns to the streets of Beveley, near Oakengates on February 27, 1978. Following years of heavy traffic using the narrow village route as a short cut between the A5 and Oakengates, the completion of the new Dawley to Donnington distributor road finally brought relief to long-suffering residents. Though the extensive construction works brought temporary disruption, the newly bypassed thoroughfare left behind a much quieter, safer environment for local households. Do you remember how much traffic used to cut through Beveley before the new distributor road was built in the late 1970s? | Picture: Michael Hunt

