Staffordshire Past Track

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The Staffordshire Past Track website features over 50,000 resources relating to the history of Staffordshire. www.staffspasttrack.org.uk

On Staffordshire Past Track you can explore photographs, images, film clips, maps and audio clips using a range of easy to use search tools. You can also visit a range of on-line exhibitons on aspects of Staffordshire's history. Managed by Staffordshire County Council's Archives & Heritage Service.

09/10/2026

Staffordshire’s 1903 Autumn was exceptionally wet, with several inches of rain falling during October and causing widespread flooding across roads, fields, and meadows.

This photograph captures some of that flooding along the River Dove, with waterlogged fields stretching towards Uttoxeter in the distance. It offers a fascinating glimpse into how extreme weather affected the local landscape more than a century ago.

Credit: Mr Alfred McCann (photographer) & Staffordshire Museum Service.

02/10/2026

Two impressive retrievers take centre stage at the Stafford & District Canine Society Show, held at the Drill Hall on Newport Road, Stafford in October, 1957.

On the left is 'Shotley Susan', a golden retriever shown by Miss M. Whalley of School Lane, Dunston. Susan was awarded Best in Show and won the prestigious President's Cup.

On the right is 'Darelyn Grinkle Sherlock', a curly-coated retriever owned by Mr F. Till of Wolverhampton.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter, who retain copyright.

09/09/2026

🎓 Florence Handley, Graduation Day, 1933 🎓
This photograph shows local music teacher Florence Handley proudly wearing her cap and gown for her graduation ceremony in 1933.
Women had only recently begun to receive full degree awards at many universities, so Florence's achievement was no small feat!
While her cap and gown are preserved in the museum's collection, if you recognise the style or have any information about Florence's studies, we'd love to hear from you!

04/09/2026

Sir Stanley Matthews playing for Blackpool FC, late 1950s ⚽

Born in Hanley in 1915, Stanley Matthews attended Wellington Road School, where his footballing talent saw him represent England Schoolboys at 14 years old.

He turned professional with Stoke City at 17, earning £5 a week plus a £1 win bonus. He won his first full England cap against Wales at 19 and went on to make 84 appearances for his country.

In 1947, Matthews moved to Blackpool, inspiring one of football’s most famous FA Cup victories in 1953. His performance in the final earned it the nickname ‘The Matthews Final’.

Then, in 1956, he became the first-ever winner of the Ballon d’Or, beating Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano to the award.

Returning to Stoke City in 1961, Matthews helped revive the club before retiring (aged 50!) in 1965, the same year he was knighted.

A true Staffordshire sporting legend, Matthews remained closely connected to Stoke and his home city until he passed away, aged 85, in 2000.

28/08/2026

This fascinating photograph shows members of the 29th Battalion, South Staffordshire Home Guard, training at Rugeley Camp on Cannock Chase in 1942. The battalion was originally formed in May 1940 as part of the Local Defence Volunteers and was later redesignated as the Home Guard.

Pictured at the butts are Lt. Wright and Lt. Dickinson, alongside the caption: "Oh boy when the enemy comes."

📷 From an album compiled by Lt. F. Guest, the Battalion Intelligence Officer.

22/08/2026

Ron Winkle with a car he has taken in for restoration, 1968.
Mr Winkle ran a car restoration business in the stables at the rear of the Swan Hotel. He also organised the Cygnet Folk Club which was held at the Swan.

20/08/2026

Dr Cyril Marson, a Stafford dentist, and his elder sister Miss Arabella Marson in an early motor car.

The vehicle pictured is an 8hp Decauville introduced into this country late in 1899. They had limited following in the United Kingdom. The early models had transverse front suspension as illustrated on this model.

In 1901 the family were living at 27 Earl Street in Stafford.

11/08/2026

Gardening class, Clifton Campville

Boys from Clifton School busy gardening, with rows of what look like kale and cabbages. In the background, to the right is the spire of St. Andrew’s Church.
St. Andrew's Church of England Primary School was believed to have originally been built as a barn between 1780 and 1795 but became a National School in the early-mid 19th century. A new school building was built in 1960 and the old school became the Village Hall, with the old school house a private residence.

07/08/2026

Tom Scott, the Managing Director of Reliant is seen here at a presentation to mark the 50000th Reliant Regal.

The Reliant Motor Company was formed in 1935 when Mr T.L. Williams decided to build his own three wheeled vehicle in his back garden at Kettlebrook, Tamworth. In 1973 Reliant introduced the most famous of their three wheelers, The Reliant Robin.

31/07/2026

Anglo-Zulu War Memorial, Lichfield Cathedral (picture 2014)

Detail of the wrought iron screen commemorating the men of the 80th (South Staffordshire) Regiment who fell in the Sekukuni and Zulu Campaigns in South Africa, 1878-1879.

The memorial comprises five inscribed metal plaques in the form of imitation Zulu shields, set against railings resembling Zulu weaponry. Four of the plaques list men of the 80th who fell in action in Zululand, whilst the fifth plaque records the names of those who died through other causes (especially disease) during the campaign in South Africa.

Address

Staffordshire Archives & Heritage
Stafford
ST180WL

Telephone

+441785278379

Website

http://www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/

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