The Memories of Bilston local history group's exhibition focuses on pigeon racing, and has been compiled from the collection of group member Steve Guy, who has a family background in the sport.
It is the latest in a series of events being delivered by Wolverhampton Libraries as part of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport funded Know your Neighbourhood scheme, aimed at boosting volunteering opportunities, tackling isolation and connecting people to their local communities.
Steve said: “The artefacts in the display belonged to my brother, Derek, who died last year, and are a tribute to him, his hobby and the memory of pigeon flying in the Bilston area.”
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: "We have various regular groups on offer across our 16 libraries, including board games sessions, coffee mornings, bereavement social groups, local history groups, wellbeing walks, arts and crafts and the more traditional reading groups, all of which help create communities with our libraries at the centre.
"The Memories of Bilston group was launched through the Know Your Neighbourhood programme and it has gone from strength to strength, giving people the chance to drop in and share their memories of living and working in Bilston, while developing new friendships with one another, and it is great that it is about to unveil its inaugural exhibition.”
The exhibition will be officially launched at Bilston Library at 11am on Thursday (8 August) and all are welcome. Refreshments will be provided and people will also have the chance to find out more about the Memories of Bilston group and the Know your Neighbourhood project. It is expected to be on show until December.
Charlotte Woodcock, Senior Library and Information Assistant at Bilston Library and Know Your Neighbourhood project worker, said: "Starting a local history group as a part of the Know Your Neighbourhood project was a no-brainer as Bilston has such a rich history – it is the heart of the Black Country in Wolverhampton.
"The people of Bilston are very proud of their heritage and our Memories group is a celebration of that. It has been incredible to see the group grow each month, reconnecting people from their school days as well as learning about various historic Bilston locations such as the steelworks, Thompson’s Ltd and the many, many pubs!
"Steve came to the first meeting back in February with the idea to do a small display out of the pigeon racing paraphernalia he has acquired through relatives; with my background in museums I was very keen on bringing this to life. After many months of planning it has come to an exciting fruition.
"The opportunity to hold an exhibition in Bilston Library is such a privilege and would not be possible without the enthusiasm of Steve and our other regulars at the group."
Memories of Bilston meets once a month on Thursdays in Bilston library.
It's free to join Wolverhampton's libraries – to find out more, please visit Libraries, call 01902 552025 or follow the library service on social media at Facebook and X.
