I’m sad to announce the terrible news to readers that Brownhills lad, planning expert, superlative local historian and narrowboater Andy Dennis, who contributed so much to this blog, has recently passed away.

Andy had been a keen cyclist and hiker in his youth, seen here in Scotland in a photo posted on his blog.

Andy’s cousin, Frank Dennis announced Andy’s passing on Facebook:

It is with sadness that I have been informed of the death of my cousin Andrew Dennis, who was a contributor to Brownhills Bob, who worked in planning at Walsall Council , and who knew a great deal about local history.

Sadly I have no further information – at the time of his passing Andy was living on his boat Whisky Mac and travelled the canals enthusiastically.

Andy will be very much missed here: He wrote many, many articles and comments on local history, was always ready to dive off and research the most obscure and seemingly impenetrable puzzles. He shared his own family history most generously, and without Andy the community here would not be a shadow of what it is today.

Andy curated his own blog which you can delve into here. His precision and gentle, self effacing humour were really appreciated in a world of other, frequently self-important, humourless gate keeping local historians.

My condolences to Andy’s family and friends. He will always have a place in my heart.