Author Archives: BrownhillsBob

I’m glad to see the public interest shown in the Remembrance Service undertaken at Brownhills Cenotaph to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War. The service, organised by Brownhills Branch of the Royal British Legion was … Continue reading →

Friend of the blog Mick Roseblade has asked me to share the sad news that local lady Nora Brayne has passed away – Nora was well known for her work with Brownhills Scouts which she undertook with her late husband, … Continue reading →

Interesting news reaches me  today, which I think will be very interesting to burger-lovers in Brownhills. Many of you will be aware that fast food company McDonald’s was recently given planning permission to demolish the former police station in Brownhills and build … Continue reading →

Here’s a nice one to trigger a few memories from locals, and hopefully preserve a little lost local history – do you remember going fruit picking in Stonnall back in the day? Stonnall is a village that grew prosperous on … Continue reading →

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’s cousin, Frank Dennis announced Andy’s passing on … Continue reading →

A very short post I’ve been meaning to do all weekend, but following on from the welcome news that Brownhills is very likely to lose it’s derelict 1960s shopping precinct Ravens Court under a larger brand new Aldi store, the … Continue reading →

I normally post a wordy, slightly emotional essay on Remembrance Sunday encouraging people to think not just about the lost and suffering of the two world wars, but about the meaning of Remembrance, the forgotten conflicts like Korea and Aden, … Continue reading →

Following the sad passing of respected local gentleman Geof Harrington, David Evans has kindly sent me details of the funeral arrangements to share with you all, via Geof’s old pal and writing partner, Bill Mayo. My sympathies and condolences remain … Continue reading →

Now I’m clearing some of the backlog and feeling much better, I thought it would be a good time to share some more of the remarkable images shared with David Evans by old friend of the blog, John Bird recording Brownhills … Continue reading →

Some time ago I was proud and honoured to feature here the beautifully presented history of Richard Meanley Anson written by Desmond Burton, who was lost like so many local lads in the Battle of The Somme. Richard was Desmond’s … Continue reading →

As I struggle to catch up with material sent in to the blog, here’s a great post for a Sunday from Pat Ward, who’s a long term reader and lady we’ve previously helped with family history matters here one the … Continue reading →

It’s always great to hear from folks having school and workplace reunions, and I was very impressed to see the well organised and attended celebration of the first Shire Oak Grammar School intake in 1961. It was held on 4th … Continue reading →

I’m so thrilled to share with you all that Brownhills Canal Festival returns this weekend for two days – today, Saturday 18th and tomorrow, Sunday 19th September 2021 – and is hosted by the wonderful Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration … Continue reading →

Due to the nature of this strange pandemic year, I’ve held off advertising this one until I’m absolutely sure it’s going ahead, but I’m so thrilled to share with you all that Brownhills Canal Festival returns next weekend for two … Continue reading →

Hello folks – I’m still getting better and gradually catching up with things, so on this grey Bank Holiday Monday, I thought it would be a good time to share some more of the remarkable images shared with David Evans by … Continue reading →

A quick one here while I prepare another post – this was inspired by Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler who spotted a different article mentioning the same firm in the British Newspaper Archive – Barbright USAM who were based on Lichfield Road … Continue reading →

Well, hello everyone. Long time no post. My apologies: The ever present bad health this year has been very difficult in recent weeks, and I’ve not been able to post. My apologies. But I am backhand on the mend! Have … Continue reading →

Here’s an article to ponder I really intended to post up yesterday, but problems of a technical nature prevented me, which was a shame as it’s a real belter. The young David Evans has been given a three page, hand … Continue reading →

Here’s a quick simple question for debate amongst the readership: Of late, the Young David Evans has given another talk to the children of Holy Trinity School in Clayhanger, about their local history. In the course of this talk, David … Continue reading →

In one of those somewhat odd bouts of synchronicity that often befalls this blog, this week I have stories of two canal heroes that cropped up within days of each other yet are complete unconnected, except by location. A number … Continue reading →

An interesting enquiry here from old friend of the blog Bruce Littley who’s got an interesting, possibly local artefact from the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, of Buffs for short. The Buffs (who are still a fine and popular organisation) … Continue reading →

It’s about time we got back to some local history here, so here’s a nice one for the family historians and archive diggers for a wet spring weekend. So sorry for the lack of posts lately: I am very busy … Continue reading →

Sorry folks very, very late with this but following the awful tragedy at the weekend in which baby Ciaran Leigh Morris lost his life following a traffic collision in Brownhills High Street, many people are asking where they can get blue … Continue reading →

Readers who have been here for a while will know that one of the recurrent and most intractable stories on the blog over the 12 years of it’s existence has been the exasperating and somewhat depressing story of Ravens Court, … Continue reading →

A couple of weeks ago I told you to keep watching the Ravens Court situation, as it looks like something is going on. Local MP and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street have been having a big social media push on … Continue reading →