New book sheds light on forgotten days in Dudley and Netherton

The changing face of Dudley through the decades has been recorded in print by a prolific Black Country historian.

Author Ned Williams has penned more than 40 books on the region, collating thousands of forgotten images in the process.

The 66-year-old's latest book — called Dudley and Netherton Remembered — focuses on topics ranging from day-to- day life on housing estates to animals at Dudley Zoo.

It was good getting my teeth into this book as it was interesting to see how things have changed and the estates that have grown up around the town," he said.

"There are so many areas that I'd wished I'd covered in the past. Each book helps me mop up all the things I'd love to have got into previous books.

"There is a picture of the Frank Dyce ice cream van and his shop in Wolverhampton Street and people always come up to me saying how good his ice-cream was.

"These are the sorts of memories that are passed down through families and it is nice when you get those types of photographs."

Mr Williams was born in Ilford, Essex, before moving to Dudley in 1962 and living in the town until 1974 when he moved to Wolverhampton.

Dudley's market place, former Criterion Cinema and steam trams are some of the other pictures featured.

Mr Williams will officially launch the book tomorrow evening at Central Methodist Church, in Cross Street, Dudley, from 7.30pm.

* Dudley and Netherton Remembered by Ned Williams is part of the Britain in Old Photographs series by The History Press. It costs £12.99.