A great friend and fellow cyclist made me this lovely sprocket coaster for Christmas. It’s marvellous and beautiful and I’m touched (you guessed that already I suspect) and very, very flattered. Thank you old chap.

I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers, contributors, commenters and supporters of the Brownhills Blog and it’s associated side projects a very merry Christmas, and a healthy, happy, prosperous and peaceful 2015.

I couldn’t do it without the huge amount of support I get and I thank you all; from the people who write huge, intricately researched articles like Gerald Reece, Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, Andy Dennis and Ian Pell, to those submitting painstakingly recorded social history like David Evans, John and Paul Anslow, Ruth Penrhyn-Lowe, Dave Moore and Brian Stringer. To those who’ve tipped me off with news and gossip. From the funny to the serious, from the sad to the joyful.

Each and every one of you has helped, and there are far too many to mention. You’re all ace.

In mid-November 2013 this shambling pile cleared 1 million hits after four and a half years; as it stands now, we’re about 1,933,000 hits. I am astounded and I’ve no idea how or why – this year we’ve done 890,000 alone.

So far on the blog there are 2,676 posts, 16,289 comments and 856 email subscribers. Every year I say the this thing has peaked. It surely must have done now.

This blog is fuelled by tea, and my lovely coaster fits perfectly!

Sometimes, I forget stuff or can’t cover things in the way I’d like; this year time has been tight with competing demands on my time from work, family and other things, and deciding which posts to publish and which to work on has been hard at times. If I’ve ever forgotten anything, please feel free to remind me.

These people, for comments, local blogs or other support should all be noted; The Stymaster, Richard ‘Wee ginger sausage’ Burnell, David Oakley, the loyal and fearless [Howmuch?], Trev in Aus (we’re all rooting for you mate), Paul Ford, Linda Mason, Aiden MacHaffie, The Plastic Hippo (his blog celebrated 5 cynical years this week), Jayne Howarth, Kate Goodall, Susan Marie Ward, Kate ‘Lichfield Lore’ Gomez, The YamYam, Walsall Local History Centre  and many others.

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.

We have continued to explore our area, rattle a few cages, and most of all, I think we’ve largely been having fun. Thanks for riding along with me, for the trust you place and respect you show.

Take it easy, have a great time, and sharpen up for the the 2014 grand New Year Quiz. It’s a stinker this year and there will be top prizes of Backyard ale, books and other fantastic stuff, so stay tuned.

Thanks, and best wishes to you all.

Bob