Subscribe to Blog via Email
Top Posts & Pages
Archives
#365daysofbiking Journal
Activism
Blogs & Stuff I like
Cycle stuff
Funny stuff
Local History
Local press
Local sites
Urban Exploration
Blog Stats
- 6,813,110 hits
Recent tracks
The Collector
Gravenhurst
9 hoursGrand Union Canal
Gravenhurst
9 hoursHourglass
Gravenhurst
9 hoursFarewell, Farewell
Gravenhurst
9 hoursThe Western Lands
Gravenhurst
9 hoursTrust
Gravenhurst
9 hoursSong Among The Pine
Gravenhurst
9 hoursHollow Men
Gravenhurst
9 hoursShe Dances
Gravenhurst
9 hoursSaints
Gravenhurst
9 hoursRecent Comments
Steve guest on In the swim Pholop58 on Bless this tiny house Yvonne Thomas on Distant Hoofbeats remembered Sue mason on Bill Barnard: Club classic! Emma on Bless this tiny house
Author Archives: BrownhillsBob
Catch a great match at Oak Park this afternoon – the Woodmen face Gresly!
Today, Saturday 19th September 202 The Wood are at home, entertaining Gresley Walsall Wood FC versus Gresley FC Kick off is 3:00pm Social distancing will be fully observed! For the Good of the Wood! Oak Park, Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood. WS9 9NP. … 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 Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Gresley, home, Oak Park, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
Leave a comment
Why not join this Sunday’s Walsall Wood community litter pick?
The next Walsall Wood community litter pick by Walsall Wood Wombles take place this Sunday 20th September 2020 – and all are welcome to join in. The Wombles said: Reminder it’s the litter pick this Sunday! You need your own … Continue reading
Why not join the Orange Army litter pick this morning in Brownhills?
There is a community litter pick event taking place in Brownhills this morning, Sunday, 13th September 2020 from 10am, meeting at Smithys Forge car park in Lichfield Road, Brownhills (Just off the Miner Island) – all are welcome to join … Continue reading
Walsall Wood away to Worcester City this afternoon
Saturday 12th September 2020 Walsall Wood FC away to Worcester City in a big-name match! Worcester City FC, Claines Lane, Worcester WR3 7SS 3:00pm kickoff This is a ticket only match restricted to 300 spectators in compliance with social distancing rules – … 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 Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Oak Park, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Worcester City
Leave a comment
Walsall Wood beat Romulus in lively start to MFL season
Images very kindly supplied by the young David Evans A boisterous home match against Castle Bromwich team Romulus at Oak Park kicked off the 2020/21 MFL football season at Walsall Wood on Saturday (5th September 2020) and saw the visitors … 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 2020, David Evans, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, match, Report, Romulous, soccer, Things to do, Victory, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
Leave a comment
Why not join the Orange Army litter pick next Sunday morning in Brownhills?
There is a community litter pick event taking place in Brownhills next Sunday, 13th September 2020 from 10am, meeting at Smithys Forge car park in Lichfield Road, Brownhills (Just off the Miner Island) – all are welcome to join in. … Continue reading
Great local football today! Walsall Wood at home to Romulus at Oak Park
Saturday 5th September 2020 Walsall Wood FC at home to Romulus FC Don’t break your vows be at Oak Park tonight and be faithful to your local heroes Social distancing to be observed! 3:00pm kickoff Please come and get behind your … 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 15 September, 2018, away, Events, FA Vase, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Saturday, soccer, Studley, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
Leave a comment
Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, right now!
If you, the kids or grandkids are at a loose end today, since it’s such. nice day it would be an excellent chance to grab the young ones and nip up to Stubbers Green where you can chat to, and … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Don’t forget there’s your local Navy Cadet Force Open Day today!
Just a heads up that the local Navy Cadet Force – T.S. Vigo based in Walsall Wood in the units opposite Barons Court on Lichfield Road in Walsall Wood – are having an Open Day today, Saturday 29th August 2020. … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Wood stand strong against Tamworth tempest
Walsall Wood FC last Tuesday evening (25 August 2020) got in what has been a very rare thing so far this year – a match at home. With full social distancing and pandemic safe measures, encouraging audience and gate, this … 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 2020, 25 August, Evening, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, match report, match review, Report, result, soccer, Tamworth, Things to do, Tuesday, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
Leave a comment
The drought ends: Walsall Wood at home to Tamworth this evening
Tuesday 25th August 2020 Walsall Wood FC at home to Tamworth FC Don’t break your vows be at Oak Park tonight and be faithful to your local heroes Social distancing to be observed: Maximum 150 spectators allowed so get there early! … 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 15 September, 2018, away, Events, FA Vase, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Saturday, soccer, Studley, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
Leave a comment
Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, right now!
If you, the kids or grandkids are at a loose end today, since the rain is clearing it would be an excellent chance to grab the young ones and nip up to Stubbers Green where you can chat to, and … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Why not join the Orange Army litter pick this Saturday Brownhills?
There is a community litter pick event taking place in Brownhills this Saturday, 22nd August 2020 from 10am, meeting at the gates of Holland Park – all are welcome to join in. The pick is being organised by new local … Continue reading
Don’t forget there’s a Navy Cadet Force Open Day in Clayhanger coming soon
Just a heads up that the local Navy Cadet Force – T.S. Vigo based in Walsall Wood in the units opposite Barons Court on Lichfield Road in Walsall Wood – are having an Open Day soon, on Saturday, 29th August … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Shattered Dreams
It’s not very often I do politics here anymore – it’s not that I’m no longer political, or that I’ve mellowed, even: It’s more that the current political situation in this country and the wider world is now so far … Continue reading
When the fighting stopped
I’m always fond of little-known local histories here on the blog, and some months ago, old pal of the blog and top lad Ian Bourne got in touch to tell me of a history he had a bit of a … Continue reading
Posted in News
7 Comments
Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, right now!
If you, the kids or grandkids are at a loose end today, since the rain is clearing andlockdown is eased, it would be an excellent chance to grab the young ones and nip up to Stubbers Green where you can … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
A mystery of time and place – can you solve it please?
While I’m very busy elsewhere (sorry folks for continued low output), the local history work continues in the background, via the tireless and thorough work of folk like the young David Evans, who’s turned up a mystery photo in a … Continue reading
Posted in News
6 Comments
Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, right now!
If you, the kids or grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems decent and that lockdown is eased, it would be an excellent chance to grab the young ones and nip up to Stubbers Green where … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Lichfield Waterworks Trust to recommence their vital work
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to share the latest news for local history enthusiasts and members of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group – Sandfields is … Continue reading
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 2020, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, heritage, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Moore, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do
Leave a comment
Locked out: A miner’s pay packet from 1928.
John Anslow – local historian and along with his late brother, one of the foremost chroniclers of the history of Walsall Wood – has been emailing again with another fascinating artefact from The Wood and he makes some fine observations … Continue reading
Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, this afternoon!
If you, the kids or grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems decent and that lockdown is eased, it would be an excellent chance to grab the young ones and nip up to Stubbers Green where … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Get ready for the next Orange Army litter pick coming soon in Brownhills!
There is a community litter pick event taking place in Brownhills soon (Saturday 22nd July 2020) from 10am, meeting at the gates of Holland Park – all are welcome to join in. The pick is being organised by new local … Continue reading
All aboard – for the reopening of a local treasure!
I’m pleased to be able to gradually announce the reopening of local attractions and facilities as they happen, following closures for the pandemic response – and how strange it is to type that even still! One of the most welcome … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged AMRTM, Aston Manor, Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, bus rides, event, Events, Facebook, free, Local History, open day, Shenstone Drive, Transport Museum, Walsall Wood
Leave a comment
Can you help Walsall Wood kick off again?
One of the sadder social side effects of the pandemic locally has been the necessary, and totally appropriate cessation of community sport, in particular Walsall Wood Football Club. As things inch back to normality, sporting activities are resuming and The … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Ogley hay Juniors in the late 60s: Who can you spot?
I’m indebted today to local lady Gail Hughes who posted this wonderful pair of Ogley Juniors photos – the upper one appears to be from the annual May Day event in 1965 (which has featured here many times before from … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, this afternoon!
If you, the kids or grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems decent and that lockdown is eased, it would be an excellent chance to grab the young ones and nip up to Stubbers Green where … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
A journey down the lost canal in pictures
Andy Tidy, otherwise known as the Canal Hunter and creator of the great canal history series on YouTube that I have plugged before here about lost local canals – including our own lost stretch of canal from Ogley Junction to … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Beware – bike theft is a growing problem locally
It’s time, I’m very much afraid, to issue another warning – theft of bikes and ebikes in the Brownhills and wider Walsall area continues to escalate in the wake of the bike boom and general retail shortage of new machines … Continue reading
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 2016, Aldridge, Brownhills, Burglary, crime, Events, garage, garages, home security, local blogs, Pelsall, Police, Shed, Sheds, Shire Oak, vehicle, Walsall, West Midlands
Leave a comment
Why not stay at home Wednesday and meet Walsall Humanists in your lounge?
Here’s a quick plug for Lichfield, Walsall and South Staffordshire Humanists – a philosophical debating group – who have their quarterly meeting this Wednesday 15th July 2020 at your home! They are trying this time, since Coronavirus restrictions mean they … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Elementary my dear Watson…
While I’m busy today, here’s an interesting family history enquiry from Jo Clifford, who’s tracing her family which seems focussed on the Pelsall area – and I know we have lots of the Pelsall Contingent in. Jo wrote: Dear Bob, … Continue reading
Posted in News
13 Comments
In good Stead
As you know I’m very into local industrial history here on the blog, and there’s an area of it that has not received much coverage since the sad death of grandfather of all Walsall local history, Jack Haddock. I am … Continue reading
Posted in News
11 Comments
A heartfelt happy birthday to Aer Reg!
Today, Thursday 25th June 2020), is a very important date for one of the foremost members of this little online community: Happy (belated) birthday to the Grandfather of the Brownhills Blog, Reg ‘Aer Reg’ Fullelove, now resident in Norton but … Continue reading
Posted in News
16 Comments
Some mystery Brownhills photos, Walsall Wood Cricket team and young Violin wranglers – a photo special!
I’ve had some terrific photo submissions for the blog in recent weeks and also some great articles in the bag – including a mammoth one that’s very special indeed from old pal Ian Bourne. Sorry updates and new material is … Continue reading
Posted in News
27 Comments
Can you help Ray find an old workmate, please?
Just had this interesting enquiry from Ray Hart, who’s looking for a former workmate who lived at least for a time in the high rise blocks in Brownhills, and worked at Hardy Spicer (Now GKN Driveline) in Erdington, near Castle … Continue reading
Posted in News
6 Comments
Abnormal load likely to cause traffic issues in Brownhills this week
An important one here from Staffordshire Police who are warning that a large, abnormal load is coming through Staffordshire and through Brownhills this week. The load is a 40-metre oxygen tank being transported from Cheshire to Warwickshire. The tank will … Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
A token of my curiosity
Here’s a quick one for a Sunday afternoon – reader Elaine Griffiths has sent me the below image of a token that’s been dug up in a Norton Canes garden. The question is simple: What is it, and what does … Continue reading
Posted in News
4 Comments
A hundred years apart: Way out west of here…
Old friend of the blog Ian Broad has been in touch again to continue his series of hundred years apart photos – this is the eighth set – he’s creating as part of his lockdown exercise bike rides. This set … Continue reading
Posted in News
3 Comments
Beware – bike thefts from garages and sheds occurring locally again
It’s time, I’m very much afraid, to issue another warning – it seems local burglars are at it again – In the last few weeks there have been a number of break-ins to sheds and outbuildings in the Brownhills and wider Walsall … Continue reading
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 2016, Aldridge, Brownhills, Burglary, crime, Events, garage, garages, home security, local blogs, Pelsall, Police, Shed, Sheds, Shire Oak, vehicle, Walsall, West Midlands
Leave a comment
Can you identify this mystery cottage?
Here’s a fascinating one that’s literally just come in: Aldridge history buff and genealogist Colin White posted this picture this afternoon, found in his family effects, and asked where it stood. Colin believes this image was where his wife’s family … Continue reading
Posted in News
8 Comments
A hundred years apart: Up the junction
Old friend of the blog Ian Broad has been in touch again to continue his series of hundred years apart photos – this is the seventh set – he’s creating as part of his lockdown exercise bike rides. This set … Continue reading
Posted in News
7 Comments
New allotments for Brownhills and Chasetown – what do you think?
Hey folks – a couple of weeks ago I featured an article prompted by an email from Declan Hammonds of Sewell Hammods Group who have purchased a site near Chasewater that was for many years occupied by a sewage works. … Continue reading
Posted in News
7 Comments
A hundred years apart: Meet me on the street
Old friend of the blog Ian Broad has been in touch again to continue his series of hundred years apart photos – this is the sixth set – he’s creating as part of his lockdown exercise bike rides. This set … Continue reading
Posted in News
9 Comments
Ogley Hay May Day 1952-3: A historical Staple!
Images kindly supplied by Elizabeth Staples. Click for larger versions. In the last couple of weeks old friend of the blog Elizabeth Staples – mother of the remarkably talented Mark Staples who, with others, created the 1880s Brownhills local history … Continue reading
Reports of bogus workmen preying on local elderly: Please warn your friends!
I note with concern that the bogus workmen touting for gutter clearances and gardening and then bullying victims to pay an inflated bill are once again in operation and targeting the local elderly folk. I have seen several reports in … Continue reading
Time to be careful around the local deer, please…
I need to alert readers if possible to the issue of the local deer population at the moment, many of whom will be giving birth or nurturing this season’s young – last year a concerned local came across a newly … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Angela Morris, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
A further sad update from New Hall Mill
Yesterday, I had another sad update from Alan Dawson about New Hall Mill, that fabulous historic gem of a working watermill just down the road near Sutton Coldfield. Regular readers will know well I always plug their events and am … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Alan Dawson, Art and Crafts day, collection, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Deer, History day, Muntjac, NCN, New Hall Mill, Newhall, off road, open days, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Sunday, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Water Mill, Wylde Green
Leave a comment
Walsall tips to reopen with limited operations – but please be patient!
An important note here to point out that Walsall Council’s tips – known as Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) reopen today, Saturday 16th May 2020 following their closure during the coronavirus pandemic in line with government guidelines that declared tip … Continue reading
Posted in News
2 Comments