Memories of growing up in Dudley

Pictures, film and spoken accounts of what life was like in the town over the years will be used in the special exhibition.

Residents are being asked to delve into their personal archives to find treasured memories to share, as part of a new project co-ordinated by the Dudley People’s Archive.

It can include pictures, film and spoken accounts of the town and how it has changed over the decades.

An exhibition is planned for the new CoLab space on Dudley High Street once Covid-19 restrictions are eased, and the pictures and videos will be available to view online on the Dudley People’s Archive website and social media channels.

The information gathered will show the rich heritage of the area, from daily life, to special events. Oral reminiscences will also be captured when restrictions permit.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said:

This is a really interesting and engaging project. While we’re always looking to the future in Dudley, we’re also a people who are proud of our past.

I hope people take the opportunity to dig through old photo albums or contribute their stories online to help share their memories of growing up in the borough.

David O’Coy, who is the founder of the project, said:

We’d love to see any photos that people have locked away in their albums or old video or cine footage that will help us build a picture of growing up across the borough.

We want to gather people’s stories that they’d like to share. If anyone has pictures of growing up in any decade we’d really like to see them. It could be people taking part in events or images of the street where they lived. Or it could be people hanging out in their teenage bedroom, we really don’t mind.

Dudley Council’s Townscape Heritage Project is working in partnership with Fused and CoLab Dudley, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to create the Dudley People’s Archive.

To find out more visit www.dudleypeoplesarchive.com for how to submit pictures and video as well as downloadable resources and easy to complete interview forms.

People can also find out more on Facebook (DudleyPeoplesArchive) and Instagram.