Out there. On a bike. All weathers, just nosing around… Image by Copehagenise.
I’ll keep this brief, as I know there are folk in Short Heath suffering in quiet, restrained dignity as they haven’t had their Liberal Democrat Focus news sheets this week due to the inclement weather. Please spare a thought for those less fortunate souls this Christmas.
It’s become traditional now to do a cheesy, corny Christmas greeting here on the blog, and this, believe it or not, is the fifth to appear here. Who knows where the time goes – and what ground has been covered?
This year, I’ll spare you the goo, as I rattled on about this a few weeks ago when this heap of old grot passed 1,000,000 hits.
I’d just like to wish all readers and followers of my work online a very good Christmas and a happy, prosperous and peaceful new year. I appreciate everything readers contribute, and my apologies if I’ve been slow to reply to anything or you’re still waiting for a particular article to come up.
The tireless and fascinating work of regular readers and contributors like David Evans, Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, Andy Dennis, Chris Pattison, Ian Pell, The Stymaster, Richard ‘Wee ginger sausage’ Burnell, David Oakley, Ann Cross and Trevor in Australia all make doing this really fun. There has also been a huge cast of folk who’ve commented, written articles or answered queries, so please don’t be offended if I haven’t mentioned you in person.
The man [Howmuch?] is a great pal and partner in crime, without whom I would be lost. Thanks old chap, I owe you so much.
The Walsall Local History Centre are vital to what I do, as are other local bloggers and the online community. The YamYam, and it’s creator, Mark Blackstock remain essential (Paul Daniel still geeks out there to keep it going), and the support of infinitely better local writers than me like Linda Mason, Aiden MacHaffie, Stuart Williams, The Plastic Hippo, Jayne Howarth, Kate Goodall, Susan Marie Ward, Kate ‘Lichfield Lore’ Gomez and others has been crucial.
What is most important to me is establishing and recording our collective history through conversation, memory and existing media like mapping, myth, folklore and physical geography.
Recording that conversation in it’s entirety is what this is all about. Thanks for joining in. Have a great time, don’t eat too much and get yourselves warmed up for this year’s quiz – there are prizes to be won including the nectar that is Backyard beer!