Author Archives: BrownhillsBob

A nice diversion here from the relentless tide of bad news – old friend of the blog Ian Broad has been in touch to say that he’s using his current downtime to undertake a rather interesting photo history project – … Continue reading →

And now, as a famous comedy crew used to say, for something completely different. I was interested yesterday in comments about me not running an April fool piece here on the blog; whilst I think perhaps, on reflection I might … Continue reading →

Normally on this day every year I run a hoax or joke article for you folk to enjoy. With the situation as it is this year, right now my heart just isn’t in it and I don’t think it would … Continue reading →

An important one brought to my attention by David Evans here: A charitable institution down the road that’s very close to my heart needs community support more than ever right now – despite the ongoing pandemic, hospice and palliative care … Continue reading →

As the Coronavirus situation has developed over the last couple of weeks, services have been formed to support the vulnerable, elderly and isolating during this uncertain and strange time. Our local hub for advice, help, support and all manner of … Continue reading →

Just a quick heads up to a great couple of new episodes of a great canal history series on YouTube that I have plunged before by a man very familiar to local canal fans: Andy Tidy, proprietor of the Jam Butty, … Continue reading →

The Coronavirus situation is ongoing and many of you are concerned about the vulnerable, the isolating and the less able in our communities, and are offering volunteer support to them. As the days have gone on, frameworks have begun to … Continue reading →

We find ourselves currently in uncharted waters as a country, facing our biggest challenge since the Second World War – Coronavirus. Sadly, like times of adversity throughout history, there are a minority of criminals ready to exploit the situation. Here’s … Continue reading →

As the current Coronavirus situation evolves, a number of community initiatives are springing up around our area (and indeed, the country of course) to support the elderly, vulnerable and those who may be in isolation. Isolation will make life difficult … Continue reading →

An important and sad announcement here from Sue Croxford, whose father Geoffrey Heath passed away on March 6th 2020 following a period of illness. Geoff was a well known and respected man locally who was very much involved with the … Continue reading →

Occasionally, I like to share interesting local postcard images found on sale sites like eBay, and today I feature one that’s an old friend – the view down High Street Brownhills from the old Railway Bridge/Lichfield Road junction towards Shire … Continue reading →

A very important story here, led by people I have an awful lot of time for: Lichfield District Councillors Sue Woodward and Dave Robertson, plus the wonderful Kate ‘Cardigan’ Gomez of Lichfield Lore, Lichfield Discovered and Lichfield Waterworks Trust fame. … Continue reading →

If you’ve a child or children under six years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 14th March 2020 from 10-12pm – note the … Continue reading →

After weeks of cancellations due to weather, Chasewater Parkrun is scheduled to go ahead this Saturday 14th March 2020 after last week’s successful return – and it looks like being a great run! For those concerned about the possible impact … Continue reading →

Following the awful incident that took place in Clayhanger on Saturday evening (7th March 2020), in which a cyclist was seriously injured in a hit and run collision in Bridge Street, Clayhanger , a man has been arrested and  a … Continue reading →

Here’s an important one – Brownhills has started its own Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings at Silver Street Methodist Church in Silver Street, Brownhills that take place this and every Tuesday (10th March 2020) from 7:30pm until 9pm. I’m told the … Continue reading →

On Saturday evening (7th March 2020), a cyclist was seriously injured in a hit and run collision in Bridge Street, Clayhanger between the mini-island and Clayhanger Bridge. The 44 year old man remains in a serious condition in hospital. Police … Continue reading →

Here’s one I’ve been meaning to catch for a while, but always seem to miss somehow – the periodic Toy and Train Collectors Fair at Oak Park Leisure Centre, Walsall Wood. This one runs today, Sunday, 8th March 2020 from … Continue reading →

An important one here:If you’d like to join up and help the Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band – that’s the folks who march at Brownhills Remembrance Parade – then here’s you chance today (Sunday 8th March 2020) and subsequent Sundays. … Continue reading →

If you, the kids are grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems a bit more decent it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol … Continue reading →

If you’ve a child or children under six years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 7th March 2020 from 10-12pm – note the … Continue reading →

After being cancelled due to weather and flooding on the course for no less than three weeks running, Chasewater Parkrun returns this Saturday morning (8th March 2020) – assuming we’re not hit by a hurricane of blizzard between now and … Continue reading →

Just a heads up to let folk know that the popular local autism support group ‘Supporting the Rainbow’ is meeting today (Tuesday 3rd March 2020) – and they’re back to meeting at their original base, Smithys Forge pub in Lichfield … Continue reading →

  An important one here:If you’d like to join up and help the Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band – that’s the folks who march at Brownhills Remembrance Parade – then here’s you chance today (Sunday 1st March 2020) as they … Continue reading →

If you, the kids are grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems a bit more decent it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol … Continue reading →

Sorry, late notice but I’m having trouble with the blog machinery this weekend. This morning, Sunday 1st March 2020, there’s a bear hunt on Brownhills Common starting at 10:00am – but you’ll need to contact the organisers on this link … Continue reading →

If you’ve a child or children under six years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 29th February 2020 from 10-12pm – note the … Continue reading →

Sadly due to the incredible amount of standing water and mud at Chasewater, the organisers of Chasewater Parkrun have wisely but with very heavy hearts decided to cancel the event for this week which was scheduled to take place this … Continue reading →

Here’s an important one I’ve been meaning to run for a while, brought to my attention by old friend of the blog, Claire Gibbs. Rushall May Fayre is an important, annual and hugely popular community festival, which has been organised … Continue reading →

I note that since it’s a new year, new start and so forth, there are lots of opportunities to get out and about and work of some of the padding Christmas left behind. One such thing is the new walking … Continue reading →

Last autumn, Brownhills was saddened by the loss of a well respected and loved local man, Eddie ‘Jock’ Fallon, who was taken from us after a period of illness. As an ex-Serviceman, Eddie was a member of Brownhills branch of … Continue reading →

  An important one here:If you’d like to join up and help the Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band – that’s the folks who march at Brownhills Remembrance Parade – then here’s you chance today (Sunday 23rd February 2020) and subsequent … Continue reading →