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14 of the best photos take you back to Wolverhampton in 1978

It was a year when a strange large load was driven through Wolverhampton's town centre, a school was demolished after being condemned and a certain Margaret Thatcher paid a visit to the Express & Star.

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This is 1978, and we have dipped into the Express & Star archives to provide you with an assortment of images to give you a flavour of the town, its people and some of the events that made the news through the year.

The massive load coming through the town centre was some kind of industrial boiler. It came with an escort and stopped traffic in its tracks, as well as bewildered pedestrians.

The load was transported by Robert Wynn and Sons of Chasetown and the boiler drum took two years to build at the Ettingshall works of Clarke Chapman. It was the second of three made by the firm for a new power station in Kent and was en route to Manchester for shipment by sea.

Meanwhile, we have an image of Parkfield School before and during its demolition. Cracks had been discovered in its structure and it meant there was no option but to bring it down.

Tory Opposition leader Margaret Thatcher was just months away from being prime minister when she paid a visit to the city, dropping in to the Queen Street offices of the Express & Star. 

It was a time of continued political upheaval and some public discontent, with an anti-racism march in the town leading to scuffles and 17 appearing in court.

Speculation continued about the Low Level Station, which was being used as a goods yard after its closure.

And celebrations for Wolverhampton's Tunney triplets as they passed their driving test.

Enjoy these pictures - and we'd love to hear your memories of 1978.

A heavy load boiler travelling through Wolverhampton in January 1978
Picture 1: A heavy load boiler travelling through Wolverhampton in January 1978
Parkfield School at Wolverhampton, which had been shut after structural faults were found. It was home to more than 1,300 pupils.
Picture 2: Parkfield School at Wolverhampton, which had been shut after structural faults were found. It was home to more than 1,300 pupils.
Parkfield School at Wolverhampton being demolished in August 1978
Picture 3: Parkfield School at Wolverhampton being demolished in August 1978
Aged 17 in 1978, triplets Andrew, Martin and Paul Tunney pass their driving test
Picture 4: Aged 17 in 1978, triplets Andrew, Martin and Paul Tunney pass their driving test
Neville Stanyer presents Wolverhampton Civic Choir conductor, Mark Foster with his leaving gift in 1978
Picture 5: Neville Stanyer presents Wolverhampton Civic Choir conductor, Mark Foster with his leaving gift in 1978
May 1978 - Environment Secretary Mr Peter Shore hinted that a disused railway link between Wolverhampton and Birmingham could be revived. The service from Low Level station was scrapped in 1972.
Picture 6: May 1978 - Environment Secretary Mr Peter Shore hinted that a disused railway link between Wolverhampton and Birmingham could be revived. The service from Low Level station was scrapped in 1972.
Tory opposition leader Margaret Thatcher chats to journalists at the Express & Star, September 1978
Picture 7: Tory opposition leader Margaret Thatcher chats to journalists at the Express & Star, September 1978
Wolverhampton's civic centre taking shape
Picture 7: Wolverhampton's civic centre taking shape
March 1978 - An anti-racist march comes to a halt outside Wolverhampton Library after scuffles broke out
Picture 8: March 1978 - An anti-racist march comes to a halt outside Wolverhampton Library after scuffles broke out
Jill Russell, of Ettingshall Park,at the Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, in June 1978, when a visit by the Blood Transfusion Service clashed with the annual Camra beer festival
Picture 9: Jill Russell, of Ettingshall Park,at the Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, in June 1978, when a visit by the Blood Transfusion Service clashed with the annual Camra beer festival
A view of Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, from August 1978
Picture 10: A view of Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, from August 1978
July 1978 - Bride Julia Holberry had no lack of choice when she looked for something old for her wedding - she worked for the Black Country Museum
Picture 11: July 1978 - Bride Julia Holberry had no lack of choice when she looked for something old for her wedding - she worked for the Black Country Museum
Workers clear the pavement of snow in Dudley Street, Wolverhampton
Picture 12: Workers clear the pavement of snow in Dudley Street, Wolverhampton
Potholes meant Hall End Lane in Pattingham suffered badly during the wet weather of December, 1978
Picture 13: Potholes meant Hall End Lane in Pattingham suffered badly during the wet weather of December, 1978
Wolverhampton and Bilston swimmers among those competing in a gala hosted by Highley Swimming Club at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre in September, 1978
Picture 14: Wolverhampton and Bilston swimmers among those competing in a gala hosted by Highley Swimming Club at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre in September, 1978
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