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Monthly Archives: January 2018
Had you got an irritable owl?
This is one of the more unusual lost pet requests I’ve ever published here on the Brownhills Blog – have you seen this owl, please?
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White van man flogging mattresses and TVs operating locally again – be vigilant
I’ve been contacted by a reader of the blog who lives in Walsall Wood who’s asked me to to warn you that there’s a man driving around our area in a large white van offering mattresses and TVs for sale door to door, and it’s undoubtedly a scam.
Wood surf the mud to bury Alvis
Saturday 27th January 2018 saw a remarkable game of football at Walsall Wood FC’s Oak Park ground – a game that was widely expected to be cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch went ahead thanks to the diligence and hard work of the grounds crew, and the home side beat visitors Coventry Elvis a whopping 8-0.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, 27 January, Coventry Alvis, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Oak Park, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Off the wall
Following the revisiting of the Stonnall tunnel legend a few weeks ago, sparked by a great enquiry from our Canada correspondent Brian Edwards, I had some great reader submissions, and a bit of local history news archive gold from Kate Cardigan over at Lichfield Lore, one item of which I’ll hold back for another article.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News
Tagged Brian Edwards, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castlehill, Dick Turpin, folklore, history, legend, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Tunnel
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A message from the bishop in 1956 – and a taste of things to come
It’s nice to get back to a bit of history on the blog and now I’m feeling a whole lot better it’s a delight to see that the young David Evans, Bill Mayo and John Sale have been excavating the collection for some wonderful news clippings containing a whole tranche of gems and surprises – including a young, dashing Aer Reg Fullelove – but more on that later.
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Teenager Clayton Wilson now located: Thank you
Update Sunday evening, 28th January 2018: Clayton’s whereabouts are now known to his family and he’s been in touch.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 2018, 28 January, appeal, boy, Brownhills, Clayton, devine, lad, Lost, missing, Missing People, Pelsall, teenager, Walsall, West Midlands Police, wilson
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Exhibition of local artists work at Brownhills Community Centre this Sunday
Sorry – this is open all weekend but due to technical issues only just been able to post it up – there’s an exhibition this Sunday, 28th January 2018 of local learners artwork at Brownhills Community Centre, just by the Miner Island in Brownhills from 11am until 4pm – and it’s free to enter!
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Good news – Millie the cat returns home.
Thanks to readers Karen Ann and owner Yvette Dale who let me kabob last night that Millie the 14 year old cat from the Anchor Bridge/Lindon Road area of Brownhills has now returned home.
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A new year at Brownhills Community Centre, 125 years old in 2018!
Brownhills Community Association have been in touch, asking me if I’d share their latest newsletter for January 2018 here on the blog – and as ever, I’m happy to do so.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, Activity Centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Central Boys School, Christmas, Clayhanger, community centre, Community Matters, Communty Associantion, Events, Janet Davies, January, Newsletter, Shire Oak, Spring, stuff to do, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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Have you seen Millie the cat, missing from Brownhills?
Reader Karen Ann contacted me on Wednesday (24 January 2018) to say she’s searching for her friend Yvette’s cat, Millie (pictured) who’s gone missing from home in the Harley Close area (near Anchor Bridge, Brownhills), and hasn’t been since for a couple of days.
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Could you help restore a lost, local canal?
Tom Reid from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been in touch to let us know about the progress they’re making, and to send out an appeal for volunteers to help push the restoration forward.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Parkview Centre, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, The Boat, Things to do, trust, Twitter, Wildlife
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Do you remember Barbara?
Hi folks – a gentle and respectful return to business as usual with a quick enquiry I’ve had in for a few days from reader Wendy Gates, who’s trying to trace a lady called Barbara who lived in Lichfield Road, Brownhills and a girl in the 1950s.
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Brownhills, take a bow for Mylee
I’m very pleased to note that yesterday, Monday 22nd January 2018, Brownhills turned it’s anger and sorrow regarding the awful death of Mylee Billingham into something positive – an appeal was launched late on Sunday and the town is bedecked in pink ribbons to remember Mylee by – and the work will continue again today [Tuesday 23rd] meeting at Laptop Trader in the High Street at 11am.
St. James Church, Brownhills open on Tuesday for the remembrance of Mylee Billingham
Whilst it’s been a dark day, I’d like to draw reader’s attention to the fact that St James Church, at Ogley Hay, Brownhills, will be open this Tuesday (23rd January 2018) at several times throughout the day for those wishing to pay their respects and share in the community reflection over this awful tragedy.
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Police release updated statement regarding Brownhills fatality
Here’s an updated statement from West Midlands Police regarding the death in Brownhills last night (Saturday, 20th January 2018) – I know the press and social media are circling around this story, but in this small corner of the internet, let’s please remember the family, those people whom we may know, who are suffering an unimaginable loss.
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Child stabbed in Brownhills incident
Last night a violent incident took place in Valley View, Catshill, Brownhills, following which an eight year old girl sadly lost her life and a 54 year old man is in hospital – a man has been arrested.
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Thieves steal quad bike from local riding stables – have you seen it?
I see that overnight last Thursday-Friday 18th-19th January 2018 thieves finally succeeded in stealing the quad bike pictured above from Stevie Ansell’s riding school on the Pelsall Road in Brownhills that they’ve tried to take on several occasions previously
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Walsall Wood v. Ilkeston Town match this afternoon OFF
Sadly following a pitch inspection, today’s Walsall Wood match at oak park is OFF.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 11th February, 2017, away, boxing day, Cancelled, Continental, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, match off, off, postponed, Shepshed Dynamo, soccer, Star, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Dam freeloaders?
It seems all is not rosy between Staffordshire County Council, owners of Chasewater, and the Canal and River Trust, the people who actually use the water it supplies to top up the canal network in Birmingham and the Black Country.
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2018 Brownhills Blog quiz results
Sorry for the delay with this, as you know, I’ve not been well and barely keeping up – but here are the results of the 2018 Brownhills Blog new year quiz.
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When pressed…
It’s always good to hear from senior Brownhills historian and photographer Brownhills George, who sent me a very intriguing email last week about an error in a local history book, which he feels gives the wrong impression of events.
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And did those feet in ancient times gig upon Pelsall’s commons green?
While I’m still fighting off the mother of all cold bugs (I really am dog rough folks) and whilst I’m still behind with 365days as well as not yet having run the 2018 Quiz results, can I just bomb straight in here with one of the most remarkable questions I’ve ever been asked here on the blog?
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A team line up and a pig roast: What do you know?
Brian Clenton contacted me again just before Christmas and asked if I could round these two photos again, as he’s still looking for names and information about the people in them – and they’re wonderful images, so it’s a pleasure.
The Brownhills Blog 2018 photo competition results!
Right folks – this has been hard, so hard, in fact nearly impossible and due to the sheer volume and quality of work you all submitted, I’ve dug deep and doubled the prize fund – there will now be four beer prizes for equal top images, and seven honourable mentions will receive books.
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Tunnelling through the folklore
I’ve had a really interesting email in from the Brownhills Blog Canada Correspondent Brian Edwards who relates a very interesting tale concerning Stonnall, and the discovery of a tunnel there in the late 1960s.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News
Tagged Brian Edwards, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castlehill, Dick Turpin, folklore, history, legend, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Tunnel
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Wood leave Studley standing
Walsall Wood FC continued their steady and assertive rise yesterday afternoon (Saturday 13th January 2018) by beating visitors Study and Oak Park a whopping 7-0.
[caption id="attachment_39345" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
First half and a well-oiled Wood squad are on the attack as Studley respond.[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13 January, 2018, Events, FA Vase, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Oak Park, Saturday, soccer, Studley, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Ladies – are you looking for a friendly, relaxed gym in Brownhills?
Readers will know that I like to promote stuff going on at the Community Centre on the Miner Island in Brownhills – well, there’s a great gym there now too that’s specifically for the ladies and especially good for those who maybe are a bit nervous, self conscious or concerned about the idea of using a mixed-use facility.
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Walsall Wood at home in action against Studley this afternoon
Walsall Wood are at the top of the league – come to Oak Park and cheer the lads on to help them stay there!
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13 January, 2018, Events, FA Vase, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Oak Park, Saturday, soccer, Studley, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Abridged
Here’s one I’ve been meaning to run for a good while now: If you use the canal locally, either between Anchor Bridge and Lichfield Road via Ogley Junction, or at Pelsall North Common, there’s going to be some disruption for a couple of months while a couple of bridges are refurbished and painted.
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Meet your local coppers in Pelsall and Rushall!
I received notice of another couple of useful ‘Meet the public’ popup events via the excellent WMNow service yesterday – both this coming Friday in Pelsall and Rushall – these are great initiatives where you can meet your local policing team and get help, crime prevention and public safety advice.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 12 January, 13 October, 2018, CommunitySafety Partnership, Events, home security, Library, local blogs, Pelsall, planning, Police, Rushall, Walsall, West Midlands
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Meet your local coppers this Saturday in Aldridge!
I received notice of this great event from Walsall Police via the excellent WMNow service this morning, advertising a pop-up meet the police event this Saturday, 13th January 2018 at Aldridge Library from 10:00am where you can meet your local policing team and get help, crime prevention and public safety advice.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 13 January, 2018, Aldridge, CommunitySafety Partnership, Events, home security, local blogs, planning, Police, Walsall, West Midlands
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Walsall Wood’s Motivation Hub opens soon
I told you all late last year that a really interesting project was starting soon in Walsall Wood for the families and carers of adults with learning disabilities and who have a weekday requirement for daycare for their loved one – well, the lady behind the project – Suzanne Sant – has been in touch to tell me the facility opens in Walsall Wood on Monday 22nd January 2018.
Up the top-end…
I’ve had a request from reader Michael Newman-Turner for images of the upper end of the High Street, between Ogley Road and Anchor Bridge to stir his memories – so I’ve trawled all I can find from out of print local photo books (thanks to the historians who collected them and made them available).
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Have you had mail go missing?
I’ve been asked by a friend of the blog to make enquiries about an sensitive issue in the new flats recently built on Anchor Bridge opposite Knaves Court – apparently post is being stolen from mailboxes.
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American smooth – BOOZERS don’t waste your stamps!
The American Studio photo phenomena touched upon a few weeks ago when we featured some mystery images from a local family seems to have captured readers imagination, and also shone a light on something that appeared to be a fashion at the turn of the last century.
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2018 photos completion – full gallery of entries
So – here goes; entries have now CLOSED for the 2018 Brownhills Blog Photo Competition, and you can see all the pictures submitted in one gallery for your perusal at the foot of this post.
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Did you see this hit and run collision in Lichfield Road last night?
Witnesses are being sought to a very unpleasant traffic incident last night on the Lichfield Road in Brownhills, between Grasmere Gardens and the Co-op Corner junction with Ogley/Chase roads – I actually passed the aftermath of this and the car in question looked very seriously damaged.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 2018, 6 January, bridge, Brownhills, Car Crime, crime, Events, Facebook, Lichfield Road, Police, public safety, Road, street, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
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Woodmen battle Paget Rangers to take league top spot
Walsall Wood have enjoyed a reversal of fortunes this season – apart from a hiccup earlier in the season, they have been resurgent, and consolidated their good form by beating Paget Rangers yesterday (Saturday 6th January 2018) on the Astroturf at Church Road, taking them to the top of the league.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, 6 January, away, Bill Shaw, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, match review, Paget Rangers, Report, result, soccer, support, Things to do, Victory, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Watch lost in Aldridge – can you help please?
An important lost watch enquiry has come in from reader Helen, who’s lost a small silver timepiece in Aldridge yesterday (Friday 6th January 2018)
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New year quiz 2018 – come on, have a go if you’re up for it!
Hey folks, a little later than hoped it’s the 2018 Brownhills Blog New Year Quiz – and don’t forget the photo competition is also running alongside, and similarly has beer and book prizes to be won!
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, prize, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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Walsall Wood away against Paget Rangers this afternoon!
Still time to hop down the Chester Road to see the Wood play Paget Rangers at the Mikes ground this afternoon!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 6 January, away, Boldmere St Michaels, Chester Road, Church Road, Curch Road ground, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Oak Park, Paget Rangers, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Break in last night at Pelsall Road stables – did you see anything?
An appeal reaches me from Stevie Ansell who runs the riding stables on Pelsall Road, Brownhills – between Thursday night and this morning (overnight 4-5th January 2017), a break-in took place at the yard.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged 2016, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills common, burgled, clearance, crime, Engine Lane, field, generator, June, livery, New Photos, opened, Police, Raid, raided, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Stolen, Vandalism, Wildlife
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Norwegian blue? Is it yours?
An odd one here has reached me from several sources including reader Alice here who took time out to sent me an email about a blue and red parrot that’s currently feral in the Ogley Road area of Brownhills.
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust January 2018 public meeting this Monday
lds Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Monday evening (8th January 2018) there will be the January 2018 Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2018, 8 January, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Children’s Craft Event on all day today at Brownhills Library
Sorry – this is belated notice of a Children’s Crafts event today (Wednesday 4th January 2018) at Brownhills Library in the Parkview Centre, just off the Miner Island n Brownhills.
New Year Family Fun Day at Oak Park today!
I see for those of you still with the delightful wee nippers on school holiday, there’s a New Year Family Funday on today, Wednesday 3rd January 2018 at Oak Park Active Living Centre, Walsall Wood, from 10am until 3pm.
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New Year photo competition entries so far
Hi folks – better late than never, here are the entries so far for this years Photo Competition – and it’s still open, and there’s time to submit your own entry.
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In memoriam, Rita Cassidy
Ian Cassidy has been in touch to let readers know of the sad passing of his mother, Rita Joan Cassidy (nee Percival) who passed away on the 9th December 2017, and to invite all who knew her to her funeral next Monday, 8th January.
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Are these items yours?
Here’s a quick one that came in yesterday evening while I was busy (Monday, 1st January 2018) – reader Caroline Feilden has sent me the above picture and wants to know if these items found locally by he father in law’s dog(!) might belong to you…
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Woodmen make big noise in the City
The Woodemen were again on stonking form on Saturday last (30th December 2017) as they travelled down the road to Lichfield City to show the Lichfeldians a clean set of heels for the second time in recent weeks – it’s not often we get to best Ye Olde City.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 30th December, away, Bill Shaw, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Lichfield City, match review, Report, result, soccer, support, Things to do, Victory, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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