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.
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29. Bring me sunshine! Comedy legends cause absolute chaos at a Telford store opening
Mrs Flo Gittens gives Eric Morecambe a cheeky pat on the cheek alongside Ernie Wise and her husband, Councillor Joe Gittens, chairman of Wrekin District Council, on 21 July 1978. Hundreds of eager Telford shoppers queued for up to two hours at the Randlay Centre to watch the iconic comedy duo officially open the new 7-Eleven store. Ever the showman, Eric left the crowd in stitches by pretending to snip the buttons off the coat of the first shopper through the door instead of cutting the ceremonial red ribbon! Were you in the crowds at the Randlay Centre to catch a glimpse of Eric and Ernie back in 1978? | Shropshire Star archive
30. Making a splash on a Welsh water adventure
Gylda Harris leads an intrepid group of canoeists from Newport Girls High School as they set off along the estuary from Penmaenpool towards Barmouth in August 1978. The photo featured in a Shropshire Star showcase highlighting the Arthog Outdoor Education Centre, the beloved field studies base situated between Dolgellau and Fairbourne where generations of Shropshire schoolchildren tested their mettle at kayaking, climbing, and outdoor pursuits. Did you ever go on a residential school trip to Arthog, or take part in canoeing expeditions like this in the late 1970s? | Shropshire Star archive
31. Off with the roof as firefighters slice through dramatic rescue demo
Oswestry firefighters waste no time peeling back the metal roof of a wrecked car during a dramatic rescue demonstration on September 2, 1978. A highlight of the station's popular open day, the crew put on a thrilling show for the packed crowd of local onlookers, using specialized pneumatic cutting gear to swiftly slice open the vehicle and carefully extract "injured" volunteers from the simulated crash scene. Were you in the crowd watching the action at the Oswestry fire station open day back in 1978? | Shropshire Star archive
32. Shoring up a two-century-old waterway structure
Workmen carry out vital structural repairs on the 200-year-old aqueduct at Newbridge on November 16, 1978. What began as routine maintenance in the summer turned into a delicate engineering operation when a crack was spotted in one of the grand stone arches spanning the River Vyrnwy. Workmen can be seen removing tons of soil and masonry to relieve the pressure before dismantling and rebuilding the damaged section. Do you remember seeing the major restoration work taking place on the aqueduct back in the late 1970s? | Shropshire Star archive