"The Woolworths store in Dudley High Street in 2004."
Evidence of Bronze Age pottery in Dudley town was found but signs of occupation was only revealed in the eighth century AD
"Winter sale in Dudley High street during a cold January in 1958."
Timeline of Dudley’s History with information on historic buildings and geological features of the High Street.
Dudley has a rich history by being know as a busy market town and being a capital for manufacturing.
The timeline emphasises the rapid change of the traditional industries in Dudley and how it has effected the High Street.
"A tram travels along Wolverhampton Street in Dudley.."
The Spiers home furnishing store in Dudley High Street in April 1970 - "Plans to demolish the Spiers home furnishing store in Dudley High Street were met with opposition in April 1970, with campaigners voicing fears the town would become subject to rectangular uniformity and called for the building to be preserved."
A timely reminder of our times with COVID. Almost 100 years ago this gravestone is in St Edmond’s (bottom church) it’s a fine reminder that respiratory illnesses have alway been with us. It reads;-
In memory of Mordecai, son of Meredith &Tamar Ingam, who died Jan 10 1823, in the 19th year of his age. ‘Apple consumption gave the fatal blow,The stroke was certain tho’ the effect was slow,With ling’ring pain Heaven saw me sore oppressed, Pitied my sighs and kindly gave me rest’.
Not the stonemason’s error on the 19 of his age, or was it 29?
"Dudley High Street, pictured in the mid 1980s when Cooks department store was a major focus of the town."
"The interior of William Granage cake shop and cafe in Dudley High Street, taken in 1912."
"The new market in Dudley market place in 1983 had a little more aisle space between the stalls, making shopping easier for customers. The market had just reopened after three months spent in Stone Street while it was refurbished. Traditionalists had bitterly attacked the replacing of wooden stalls with metal and the removal of the old-fashioned cobbles. This was taken on May 15, 1983."
"Dudley High Street, viewed from the recently-pedestrianised market place, as it looked in May 1985."
"Dudley Market Place looking west in 1955."
Township of Dudley 1750
"Dudley Market Place, pictured here in the early 1980s, with the Trueform shoe shop being rebuilt."
"Dudley Market Place where archaeologists found the foundations of old market buildings while preparing for the redevelopment of the area in April 2014."
Dudley Market pictured in May 1982
"Dudley's Edwardian Market Place pictured around 1905."
"Four Debenhams staff with 100-years service between them were bidding a fond farewell as the store in Dudley High Street closed for the last time in January 1981. Manager Douglas Spalding, who was with the company for 26 years, was photographed with Nancy Robinson, Kathleen Jackson and Marion Sutton."
Geological story of the Black Country
Video by Ellie Ramsey
Narrated by Graham Worton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaxRX8-c2fU
"The days were numbered for these historic buildings when this picture of Dudley High Street was taken in November 1970. A public inquiry was being held to decide whether five listed buildings in the street could be demolished to make way for the new Trident Centre shopping complex. Permission was granted, and it was discovered during demolition that parts of these buildings dated back to the Middle Ages."
"Dudley High Street in the early 1900s."
"Dudley High Street looking towards Lower High Street and Bottom Church in September 1983."
"Owner Alan Caswell outside the Arcade Toy Shop in the Fountain Arcade in July 2011."
"The Co-operative store at the top of Dudley High Street in 1969"
"Ted North ran his Black Country Bakes traditional baked potato business in Dudley High Street for decades.This is his potato baker stall in 1982."
Dudley was pretty much at the centre of the Industrial Revolution. It had many advantages like making things faster, leading to technological advancements, a wider distribution of wealth and the social changes that came with this. However, it also had its own set of problems that are still relevant today which we need to acknowledge and address to successfully move forward, mainly: overpopulation, housing, water, air pollution and depletion of natural resources.
"Locals would pop into The Hen and Chickens Hotel for a quick pint and a chat in December 1982. The popular watering hole dominated the corner of New Street and Castle Street in Dudley Market Place."
"Hanson's Brewery at the top of Dudley High Street, pictured here in November 1991, shortly before it closed. An Asda supermarket now stands on the site."