Britain’s coal miners were on strike, plans for the M54 sparked protests, and communities across Shropshire were adapting to a changing world in 1972.
In this collection of archive pictures, we look back at a year of big events and everyday moments - from pupils rolling up their sleeves to clean their school swimming pool in Dawley, to the opening of new homes, a new police station and the first steps towards Telford’s developing town centre.
There were also plenty of reminders of daily life in the county, including a ‘paraffin perm’ in Kinnerley during a power cut, miners returning to work at Granville Colliery, and youngsters enjoying unusual opportunities at school and in their communities.
These photographs from the Shropshire Star archive capture the people, places and stories that shaped Shropshire in 1972. Do you remember any of these scenes, or can you spot someone you know? Tell us in the comments.
Did you see our gallery looking back at the 1990s? Take a look here.
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29. Oswestry, 1972
A night of celebration for nurses from the Oswestry district in January 1972, as they gathered for a party. Pictured from left are Margaret McConville, Mary Dulson, Marion Steele, Madge Griffiths, Margaret Thomas and Mena Lewis. Do you recognise anyone in the photograph, or remember working in healthcare in Oswestry during the 1970s? | Shropshire Star archive
30. Frankwell, Shrewsbury, 1972
A quiet corner of Frankwell, Shrewsbury, captured in June 1972, showing empty premises that were part of discussions around the town council’s rating policy. The scene also offers a glimpse of the shops, buildings and street signs of the time - including a familiar Persil advert. Do you remember Frankwell as it looked in the 1970s, or the businesses that once occupied these premises? | Shropshire Star archive
31. Ludlow, 1972
A new era for telephone services in Ludlow in 1972, as operators moved from the old switchboard above the Post Office in Corve Street to a new facility in Lower Galdeford. The £320,000 extension brought updated equipment after almost 50 years of service from the previous switchboards. Do you remember the days of telephone exchanges and operators connecting calls by hand? | Shropshire Star archive
32. Market Drayton, 1972
A glimpse of the future of communication in Market Drayton in October 1972, as 16-year-old Jane Davies tries out one of the telephones on display at a GPO travelling exhibition on Towers Lawn car park. The exhibition showcased the latest developments in telephone technology. Do you remember visiting travelling exhibitions like this, or the days before everyone carried a phone in their pocket? | Shropshire Srae archive