Express & Star

Sandwell residents share memories for upcoming Tipton exhibition

More than 40 people turned out to share their memories as part of an upcoming exhibition in Tipton.

Published
Gordon Payton, from Tipton, holding photographs he took in the 1970s at Patent Shaft Steel Works, Wednesbury.

Residents across Sandwell were asked to bring along their favourite items including family photos, and also any local stories they had, by Tipton Library.

The library, on Owen Street, made the plea as part of a Living Memory project to showcase people's memories of the Black Country area.

The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Photographs were scanned and will be used for the upcoming exhibition, which is scheduled to start in April.

Diane Wright, customer services officer at Tipton Library, said: "We had more than 40 people attend – it was very well attended.

"It's a living memory event so people have bought their own photographs which have been scanned for an exhibition at the beginning of April.

"People were very happy to share their memories and it's been a very happy morning. They've been sharing stories and pictures – mainly Tipton-based, but there were other areas featured such as Bearwood in Smethwick as well.

"We do lots of local history projects so there will be future events, I'm sure."

One resident, Gordon Payton from Tipton, brought in photographs he took in the 1970s at Patent Shaft Steel Works in Wednesbury.

The event took place between 10am and 12pm on Saturday.

The event came after it was announced Tipton Library would run a series of coffee mornings featuring speakers and local stories.

The monthly sessions, on a Thursday, will run until May and will start at 10.30am.

The talks will also include that of Black Country footballing legend Duncan Edwards on April 18.