I began my local history research in the County Express Office, off the High Street, Stourbridge. I viewed the original bound volumes kept in a small back room and discovered so much. An unforgettable experience not replicated by microfilm or the computer screen. However the digital archive wins out when searching a topic, and when it is difficult to reach a library or local archive.
I now enjoy living in France, and use this site if I need to, but miss the access to The County Express which covers so much of life in the in the industrial Victorian era.

I don’t think you have to pay to view the County Express on microfiche at the Dudley Archives, but for me it’s nearly 4hrs round trip & there’s only so much microfiche reading that my eyes can take! It’s an invaluable resource for what was happening in the Stourbridge area that I don’t think is covered in other ‘local’ newspapers (eg the Birmingham based ones in the war period(s)

Excellent News Paper, A shame All the Stourbridge Archives like so Many things have been taken away to Dudley and You have to Pay to look at Them.

I totally agree with the comment from Mark. Access for me will become a big issue when the county express microfilm and original newspapers are taken to the new Dudley archives. Please get in touch with Stourbridge library and get this fantastic newpaper online. Thank you

Yes Please !!!!!!! The lost of the microfilms from Stourbridge library causes me access issues to this important source of information.

Very good paper contains lots of information for family history research and also history of the area.

I would like to see the county express newspapers ( Stourbridge and surrounding areas) as The new Dudley archives are taking them away this year from my local Stourbridge library.