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Search Results for: grove pit
90 years ago today: The Grove Pit Disaster
Ninety years ago today, the 1st October 1930, an underground blast killed 14 men working in a coal mine, The Grove Colliery, underneath Brownhills Common. Ten of those lost souls are buried in the Churchyard of St James, Brownhills, in … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Alan Paul, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills mining disater, Chasewaterstuff, colliers, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, local blogs, Local History, Mine disaster, miners, Staffordshire, The men below, Wyrley common, Wyrley Grove
4 Comments
The Grove Colliery – remembering a lost pit
Last year I featured a very popular set of images from a place I genuinely didn’t realise still existed: The Grove Colliery, the remnants of which – the house and offices situated just off Lime Lane, between Pelsall, Brownhills, Norton and Great Wyrley – were documented by old pal off the blog Simon Swain and posted here as a gallery I include below.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, colliery, Derelict, Disaster, Events, freight, Grove, Grove Colliery, House, images, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pit, pits, Redevelopment, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Things to do, tramway, viaduct, Wyrley common
16 Comments
The Bells of Brownhills
I get asked some unusual questions here on the blog and I was asked in the last week on Facebook what I knew of the poem The Bells of Brownhills, and what they in fact were; this was actually quite … Continue reading
Posted in News
7 Comments
Living next door to the Grove – what do you know?
Last year I featured a very popular set of images from a place I genuinely didn’t realise still existed: The Grove Colliery, the remnants of which – the house and offices situated just off Lime Lane, between Pelsall, Brownhills, Norton and Great Wyrley – were documented by old pal of the blog Simon Swain and drone wizard Steve Martin also captured the site from the air.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, colliery, Derelict, Disaster, Events, freight, Grove, Grove Colliery, House, images, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pit, pits, Redevelopment, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Things to do, tramway, viaduct, Wyrley common
1 Comment
Lamping it
For those who missed it, I had an interesting question commented to an old post in the week, and I thought I’d make a post out of it as it deserves a wider audience – this certainly sounds like a remarkable family history, which someone out there must be able to help with.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Around Pelsall & Brownhills, Brian Rollins, Brownhills, Brownhills And Aldridge, Brownhills local history, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, Coal Mining, Coal Mining in Walsall Wood, Colsa Oil, Coppy Pit, David F. Vodden, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Nigel A Chapman, Old maps, Petrol engine mine, Protector Lamp, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Spoil Heaps, Staffordshire, The South Staffordshire Coalfield, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery Co, Walsall Wood old maps, Walsall Wood olliery, Walsall Wood Pit, Washer Mound
15 Comments
When it was all different
After a frighteningly busy few weeks which have left me tired and unable to do as much as I’d like on the blog, it’s nice to get back onto a bit of local history, which let’s not forget, is the … Continue reading
Posted in News
4 Comments
Was the investigation into the Grove Pit Disaster a whitewash?
The 1st October 2016 was the 86th anniversary of the worst modern-day pit disaster in our area, the Grove Pit Disaster, in which fourteen miners perished following an explosion a mile and a half below Brownhills Common, beneath the Ring Sun Inn.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, amputated, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills mining disater, Chasewaterstuff, coal mines, colliers, colliery, Coppy Pit, Derbyshire, Dora, Elizabeth, Features, Gill, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Joesbury, leg, local blogs, Local History, Lost, Mine disaster, Mine rescue, miners, Mines rescue, mining, Newhall, Solomon Fox, Staffordshire, Sutton in Ashfield, The men below, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, Whitehouse, William Harrison, Wyrley common, Wyrley Grove
5 Comments
…And the birds in the trees sang their requiem to the Coppice Pit
A great quick post here from the ever-resourceful Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler who’s found some absolute (black?) gold in the British Newspaper Archive. This article, published in the Birmingham Post in 1964, records the end of the last production shift at … Continue reading
Posted in News
11 Comments
Some late vows…
For Black Country Day which was on July 14th, friend of the blog and long time supporter Lisa Ashby created a lovely photomontage video of Brownhills and other images and posted it on YouTube – I’ve been meaning to post it here for ages, as it’s a lovely thing.
All that remains of the last one standing
Following my feature yesterday on perhaps the last passenger train to ever traverse the line from Aldridge to the Conduit Colliery in Norton Canes, Simon Swain has sent me a great gallery of images of the Grove Colliery site as it is today.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, colliery, Derelict, Disaster, Events, freight, Grove, Grove Colliery, House, images, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pit, pits, Redevelopment, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Things to do, tramway, viaduct, Wyrley common
25 Comments
A town united in mourning
The Grove Pit Disaster that took the lives of fourteen men on October 1st, 1930 left deep scars on the Brownhills and Norton communities – and the funeral and memorial service for the men taken was a huge public event that drew massive crowds.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, Bill Mayo, Brownhills, Brownhills cemetery, Brownhills local history, Grove Colliery, Grove pit disaster, Janet Whittaker, John Bernard Whittaker, Local History, Mining accidents, mining memorials, New Photos, photos, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
The Grove Disaster – the human cost
I mentioned earlier today that I had a second article relating to the Grove Pit Disaster to come; well, here it is – Great War expert and longtime blog reader Richard Pursehouse has asked me to run the above photo, featuring his maternal Great Grandfather John Pattison, manager of the Grove Colliery, Lime Lane.
Rescue me
The great Bill Mayo, local historian and photo collector, has recently been digging in his files and found a few mystery images, like the one above of a local mines rescue team.
Posted in Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, coal mines, colliery, Coppy Pit, David Evans, Features, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Local History, Mine rescue, mines recue cup, Mines rescue, mining, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Staffordshire, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, William Harrison
2 Comments
A mine of information
In my last article, I pointed out that I’d received extra information on a couple of posts over the weekend – both on the Anglesey/sea question, and also on the Mine Rescue Team image shared by John Sale and Bill Mayo.
Posted in Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1935, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cannock Chase, cannock Chase jubilee souvenir, coal mines, colliery, Coppy Pit, David Evans, Features, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, jan Wilson, Local History, Mine rescue, mines recue cup, Mines rescue, mining, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Staffordshire, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, William Harrison
4 Comments
Pelsall Hall Colliery disaster – where’s the mystery?
I’m pleased to feature here today a fascinating research article into the infamous Pelsall Hall Colliery disaster, wonderfully written by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler – this will be the first of two articles relating to mining accidents today – and this is a great precursor to the following one, which will ask for help with the Grove Pit Disaster.
A local mining accident – more information available
A couple of days ago I asked for information about a local mining accident, suffered by the Grandfather of reader Gill Joesbury, but the request it was a bit of a mission impossible, as we didn’t have a name to go on – since then, Gill has now been in touch with more information.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, amputated, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, coal mines, colliery, Coppy Pit, Derbyshire, Dora, Elizabeth, Features, Gill, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Joesbury, leg, Local History, Lost, Mine rescue, Mines rescue, mining, Newhall, Solomon Fox, Staffordshire, Sutton in Ashfield, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, Whitehouse, William Harrison
6 Comments
A local mining accident – can you help?
Here’s a quick one to get the researchers scratching their heads – and it’s a very long shot, but please do what you can, I’ve asked for more information from Gill, and I’m hoping she’ll comment here.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, amputated, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, coal mines, colliery, Coppy Pit, Features, Gill, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Joesbury, leg, Local History, Lost, Mine rescue, Mines rescue, mining, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, William Harrison
18 Comments
On the beach – the web that’s woven
Here’s a great example of me getting things wrong, and of how local oral history works with the community correcting me – last week I featured the great picture above from Julie Le Moine of herself as a baby with her mum, and ‘uncle’ Paddy (Walker) and ‘auntie’ Clarice’ on a beach in Blackpool in September 1966.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1966, Accident, Beach, Blackpool, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clarice, Coppy Pit, Disaster, Facebook, Growve Pit, Julie Le-Moine, Lichfield, Lionel, Local History, New Photos, Paddy, Staffordshire, Walker
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Life’s a beach
Here’s a lovely quick one from friend of the blog Julie Le Moine – and it’s a good opportunity to point out to those who’ve supplied images lately that I’m hoping to catch up with that at the weekend, nothing is forgotten.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1966, Beach, Blackpool, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clarice, Facebook, Growve Pit, Julie Le-Moine, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Paddy, Staffordshire, Walker
3 Comments
One of the last standing
Here’s the final blast of pictures from the mystery archive found by local historian Clive Roberts back at the beginning of November – these images are remarkable as the show the Grove Colliery on the Cannock Extension Canal at Lime Lane in 1958 and 1959, and I know of few extant images of the time – perhaps the only good representation being in the 1963 cinefilm of Brownhills, donated by Brian Stringer.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1968, 1969, 2015, archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, freight, Grove Colliery, images, Lichfield, Local History, mining, New Photos, Norton, photos, pits, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wyrley common
13 Comments
Les Fleurs
Some time ago, reader and Bon Viveur David Evans found this image for sale at a church fayre in Brownhills, at I believe at St James – he didn’t purchase it, but he did take a crafty snapshot.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Allsops, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Derelict, Disaster, drawing, Fire, Fleur de lys, fox hunt, fox hunting, Grove pit, Local History, meet, New Photos, Norton, Pubs, Redevelopment, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Vandalism, Water Margin, Watling Street
35 Comments
For the want of timber
Last week I featured an article by local history Rapscallion Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler about a text, available for free via Google Books called ‘Black Diamonds or the Gospel in a Colliery District’ written around 1860 by mystery author HHB.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1889, Andy, Black Diamonds; or The Gospel in a Colliery District, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CCMHS, coal, Dennis, Ellen, Foster and Co, Google Books, Gravestone, Headstone, HHB, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Lloyds, local blogs, Local History, mining, Pedro, Peter Cutler, pits, Rev J.B. Owen, St James, Staffordshire, Things to do, Thomas, tragedy, Walsall, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Private investigations
David Evans has had access in recent weeks to lots of material from the Norton Canes Historical Society – one of the things he found was a wonderful 1975 report into the Grove Pit Disaster.
 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, BFHG, Brownhills, Brownhills cemetery, Brownhills local history, Brownhills mining disater, colliers, David Evans, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Grove pit disaster, John Bernard Whittaker, local blogs, Local History, Lynn Hopley, Memories of old Brownhills by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington, Mine disaster, miners, Mining accidents, mining memorials, NCHS, New Photos, Norton Canes Historical Society, SJ Whitehouse, Staffordshire, The men below, Walsall Wood, Wyrley common, Wyrley Grove
6 Comments
Underground investigations – The Grove Pit Disaster remembered
The 1st October 2012 – a couple of hours away from when I post this – will mark 82 years since the Grove Pit Disaster that killed fourteen local men in the mine that stood just off Lime Lane, on … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills mining disater, Chasewaterstuff, colliers, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, local blogs, Local History, Mine disaster, miners, Staffordshire, The men below, Wyrley common, Wyrley Grove
7 Comments
Well, that was unfortunate…
Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler continues his patient, thorough research into the Harrison empire. This was, of course, the local industrialist family that owned mines in South Staffordshire, and particularly the Grove Pit and others locally.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Aldershawe, Alrewas, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Captain W. B. Harrison, Events, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Lieutenant-Colonel W. E. Harrison, Local History, Military, mining, New Photos, OBE, Orgreave, Peter Pedro Cutler, Staffordshire, Tonsillitis, Wales, Wychnor
26 Comments
After the gold rush
I thought that today, I’d dig some interesting mapping out of the archive. In the light of Gerald Reece’s talk on Brownhills and it’s colliery history, I thought this 1884 1:2,500 scale plan of Wyrley Common was due an outing. It shows – in some clarity – the extent of mining in the Engine Lane area at the height of the Victorian period.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Local History, News, Shared media, Walsall community
Tagged 1884, 1:2500, Brownhills, Brownhills Colliey, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cathedral Pit, Engine Lane, Gerald Reece, Grove Colliery, Local History, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Palmers Hay, Staffordshire, Wyrley common
8 Comments
A quick correction from Andy Dennis
I had a brief note from top chap and blog research stalwart Andy Dennis the other day – I kept meaning to reply, but as regular contributors know only to well, I’m not too good with mail. If it’s a … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Andy Dennis, Brown, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cathedral Pit, colliery, Convalescent home, Edward, Edwin, Grove pit, Local History, Madeira Cove, mine, miner, New Photos, pneumoconiosis, Staffordshire, Ted, Weston Super Mare, William Harrison
3 Comments
In pursuit of the truth
Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, one of several readers and contributors without whom this blog would be nothing at all, has something to say, and I think we need to listen. Carefully. There’s something disturbing him, and me, in the way some … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, colliery, conditions, Cutler, Edward Brown, Grove, Harrison, local blogs, Local History, mines, mining, Pedro, Peter, pit disaster, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
27 Comments
Don’t believe everything you read…
I’ve been droning on now for some months about the need for accuracy and careful research in local history. It’s because I know that I’m as fallible as the next man that I, like you readers, worry so much about … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1905, Black Cock, Black Cock Bridge, Brick Arch, Bridge replacement, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Camden Street, Canal, Errors, Girder bridge, Grove Pit Bridge, Hall Lane, Howmuch, Lime Lane, Local History, mine damage, Mining Subsidence, Mistaken, mistakes, Pelsall Past and Present, Silly, Staffordshire, Subsidence, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, Wyrley and Essington
4 Comments
On yer bike…
Here’s an interesting one from loyal reader and contributor Andy Dennis. This has genuinely touched me, and it dovetails nicely with yesterday’s post featuring Ulead123’s tribute to local miners film. This is a neat progression, and it’s just the kind … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Allendale, Andy Dennis, Brown, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cathedral Pit, colliery, Convalescent home, Edward, Grove pit, Local History, Madeira Cove, mine, miner, New Photos, pneumoconiosis, Staffordshire, Ted, Weston Super Mare, William Harrison
11 Comments
How do you solve a problem like Eliza?
Here’s a bit of original research sent in for readers to peruse from the wonderful Andy Dennis. This is a further, almost forensic investigation of the Harrison family, local mine-owners and industrialists. This is an exemplary bit of research, and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Andy Dennis, Bealy, big house, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Butts Limeworks, colliery, Edward Harrison, Eliza Harrison, estate, George Carter, George Strongitharm, Grove pit, Harrison, John Harrison, Local History, Local politics, Middlewich, mine, Reasearch, Samuel Wagstaff, Staffordshire, Td Brown, Wall, William Harrison
57 Comments
William Victor Whittaker, Miner: what do you know?
This is a brief enquiry on behalf of reader Iris Taylor, who contacted me some time ago for information about her father, William Victor Whittaker who worked the Aldridge pits. Iris asked the following: Hello, Thank you for replying so quickly! … Continue reading
Posted in Features
6 Comments
Echoes… lets think for a minute
I want to be serious for a moment. Please, if you’re interested or involved in local history at all, please read this article and offer your point of view. There’s something troubling me that we need to be aware of … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bias, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Derelict, fable, Facebook, folklore, history, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, oral history, Research, Silly, Twitter, Walsall Wood
38 Comments
Miles of steel over wood
Here’s a fantastic bit of research history from local historian and author Gerald Reece. Following our recent communications about the question of pumps and mining in general in the area of Brownhills Common and Engine Lane, Gerald sent me the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged A Walk Into History, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cathedral, Company, David Evans, Derelict, Draft, Engine Lane, Greald Reece, Lessees, local blogs, Local History, Norton Branch, Occupiers, Old maps, Owners, Plans, Railway, Redevelopment, South Staffordshire railway, Staffordshire, The Slough
15 Comments
Holding on for a hero
Top bloke and contributor Stevie378 recently commented that a relative was in a local mine rescue team. With that in mind, and especially for his mum, whom I know to be a keen reader of this blog, I’ve dredged the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, coal mines, colliery, Coppy Pit, Features, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Local History, Mine rescue, mines recue cup, Mines rescue, mining, New Photos, Staffordshire, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, William Harrison
5 Comments
Standing on the shoulders
Readers will recall that a couple of weeks ago, I was trying to contact local author, and former resident of Brownhills, Gerald Reece. Fortunately, we managed to connect up. Gerald has been very kind and has communicated extensively with me … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Walk Into History, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Greald Reece, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
20 Comments
The Grove Pit Disaster Mining Memorial, Brownhills Cemetery
I’ve had an enquiry from Janet Whittaker, granddaughter of John Whittaker, who died in the Grove Pit Disaster in 1930. Janet had this to say: I came accross your website whilst looking for a site for Walsall Wood Cemertary as … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, Brownhills, Brownhills cemetery, Brownhills local history, Grove Colliery, Grove pit disaster, Janet Whittaker, John Bernard Whittaker, Local History, Mining accidents, mining memorials, New Photos, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
John Bernard Whittaker, rest in peace.
Further to yesterday’s enquiry from Janet Whittaker, and my subsequent blog post, this evening I went to see if I could find the resting place of John Whittaker, Janet’s grandfather, tragically lost along with 13 other miners in the Grove … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, Brookland Road Cemetery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Frederick Clews, Grove Colliery, Grove pit disaster, Janet Whittaker, John Bernard Whittaker, Local History, Mining accidents, mining memorials, New Photos, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Cemetery, Walsall Wood Colliery
12 Comments
The Grove Colliery Disaster – details of memorial event, anyone?
I’ve been aware for a few weeks now that there is to be a memorial service for the victims of the Grove Colliery Disaster shortly. Unfortunately, what I don’t know, and can’t seem to find out, is where and when … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Alan Paul, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills mining disater, Chasewaterstuff, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, local blogs, Local History, Staffordshire, Wyrley Grove
2 Comments
Grove Colliery Disaster Memorial Service: This Saturday.
My most grateful thanks go out to Janet Whittaker, who kindly answered my plea for details of the memorial service for the Grove Pit Disaster memorial service, which will be taking place at St. James Church, Church Road, Brownhills on … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Followups, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared memories
Tagged Alan Paul, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills mining disater, Chasewaterstuff, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Janet Whittaker, local blogs, Local History, St James Church, Staffordshire, Wyrley Grove
1 Comment
Remembrance
I was pleased to see today that there were loads of flowers on the Grove Pit Memorial in Brownhills Cemetery. It’s nice to see so many people remember those lost men, and marked their passing so lovingly. We shall never … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Accident, Brownhills, Brownhills cemetery, Brownhills local history, Grove Colliery, Grove pit disaster, John Bernard Whittaker, Local History, Mining accidents, mining memorials, New Photos
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Working in a coal mine…
Since covering the anniversary of The Grove Pit Disaster – the worst such event in our area’s mining history – I’ve only peripherally touched on the subject of the local mines. After some prompting by readers, I’ve decided this week … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Around Pelsall & Brownhills, Brian Rollins, Brownhills, Brownhills And Aldridge, Brownhills local history, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, Coal Mining, Coal Mining in Walsall Wood, Colsa Oil, Coppy Pit, David F. Vodden, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Nigel A Chapman, Old maps, Petrol engine mine, Protector Lamp, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Spoil Heaps, Staffordshire, The South Staffordshire Coalfield, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery Co, Walsall Wood old maps, Walsall Wood olliery, Walsall Wood Pit, Washer Mound
24 Comments
Coalmining in Brownhills, by Gerald Reece.
In light of the fact that there’s so much interest in the history of mining on Brownhills Common, and particularly vibrant speculation about the steam engines that gave Engine Lane it’s name, I thought I’d take an unusual step. Much … Continue reading
Posted in Features
27 Comments
Union and Chapel
I am fascinated and encouraged by the diligent work being undertaken by top reader, commentor and Panoramian Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler into the the mining history of our area. Not just the mines, the engineering and their history, but also the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 8 hour system, Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Cannock Chase miners, Chapel, estate, Harrison, March, mine, orking conditions, Pedro Cutler, Pedrocut, Peter Cutler, Rev G Poole, Strike, Tamworth Herald, Unions, William Harrison
26 Comments
Footage of Grove Pit Disaster, 1st October, 1930
A tip of the hat yet again to local history wonder [Howmuch], who in addition to spotting the Chasewater newsreel in the British Pathe archive, was busy over the weekend rooting through other video archives for the benefit of likeminded … Continue reading
Was yer ferther a miner?
I had a lovely email from Janet Whittaker, who regular readers will remember asked last week about the grave of her grandfather, John Bernard Whittaker. John died in the Grove Pit Disaster in 1930, and Janet, her family having moved … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Accident, Brookland Road Cemetery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, George Fullelove, Grove Colliery, Grove pit disaster, Janet Whittaker, John Bernard Whittaker, Local History, Mining accidents, mining memorials, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Cemetery
6 Comments
The men below
Eighty years ago today, on the 1st October, 1930, fourteen men died underground, as a result of a gas explosion at the Grove, or Brownhills Colliery. It is thought that the men perished when a naked light was struck in … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Alan Paul, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills mining disater, Chasewaterstuff, colliers, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, local blogs, Local History, Mine disaster, miners, Staffordshire, The men below, Wyrley common, Wyrley Grove
19 Comments
Who knows where the time goes?
It really doesn’t seem like five minutes since I last wished all you readers a merry Christmas and a very happy new year. This last one has been an interesting and engaging time for me with the Brownhills Blog. I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Followups, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Chasewaterstuff, Christmas, Common people, ConnectCannock, Julian Ward-Davies, Longdon Local, Merry Christmas, New Year, Oakparkrunner, Pheaseyviews, Pigblog, Political Penguin, Publog, Stymaster, Tamworth Time Hikes, The Bloxidge Tallygraph, The Bookworm turns, The Edditer, The Lichfield Blog, The Mushroom, The Plastic Hippo, Walsall Bloggers, WV11
4 Comments
A hole in the history
If ever anything were to prove the importance of a detailed mapping record, than my post of Wednesday last, ‘Common ground’ does just that. Whilst dredging the available mapping for the area beforehand, the 1938 draftings were unavailable in the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Bug row, Cathedral Pit, Chasewater, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, David Fellows, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Norton Pool, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Pump, Reservoir, Robert Webster, Staffordshire, Steam pump, West Colliery, William Harrison
38 Comments
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