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On Tuesday 23rd April 1957 Queen Elizabeth II
and Prince Philip visited the towns of the Black Country.
They entered Oldbury borough
at 11:35 from Halesowen
and from Perry Hill they travelled via Causeway Green and Langley
to the municipal buildings at Oldbury.
This short film was made by Light Metal Forgings who had manufactured the gifts
to be presented to the Queen
and Prince Philip.
These pictures were taken from a police car as it checked the route shortly
before the Queen's car was due to pass.
The car turned from the Wolverhampton Road
into Causeway Green Road
and went to Langley Green before turning into Langley Green Road.
This area was redeveloped in the late seventies
and many of the buildings shown in the film were demolished.
The route went over Uncle Ben's bridge
and down Langley High Street.
The biggest crowd
had gathered around the town square
in front of the municipal buildings to await the arrival of the royal party
along Birmingham Street.
Redevelopment in the seventies and eighties
have completely changed this area too.
The shops in Freeth Street have been replaced by Sandwell Council House
and the Old Talbot
and George Mason's grocery shop
are distant memories.
Even the New Talbot Hotel and the town hall itself
have been demolished.
Superintendent Bache
who was in charge of Oldbury police was making sure all that all was going to
plan.
One cyclist wanted to know what all the fuss was about
and finally was persuaded to peddle off
down Halesowen Street.
And the Mayor and Mayoress
Councillors Alfred and Mary Gun
nervously awaiting the great moment.
It was a wonderful opportunity to where the full regalia of office.
The town clerk was dressed for the occasion too.
The royal party arrived to great cheers from the crowd
to be formally welcome to the borough of Oldbury.
After a wave of acknowledgement the Queen was led to the council chamber.
The Mayor presented all of the councillors and the heads of the main local
industries to her.
On behalf of the borough the Queen was given a titanium rose bowl
and Prince Philip
titanium shooting stick.
These have been made by Light Metal Forgings
part of Hughes-Johnson Limited.
The Queen and Prince Philip signed the visitors book
and after half an hour they
left the municipal buildings.
The crowd had waiting patiently in the town square
for the royal party to emerge again.
And some have gathered to see her leave the borough along Halesowen
Street
past the offices of Light Metal Forgings
and the Providence Church.
One of her final impressions of Oldbury
would have been the site of the blue billy mound of chemical waste
but perhaps her thoughts would have been on lunch hooked at Dudley.