#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Time & Place
Queens of the Stone Age
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never too late
thenewno2
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This Year's Girl
Elvis Costello
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Got My Mojo Workin'
Muddy Waters
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Tamacun
Rodrigo y Gabriela
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Little Wing
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
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Good Love (w/ Billy Gibbons)
The Black Keys
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Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down
Eric Burdon
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So Much Trouble In The World
Bob Marley
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Carolina Low
The Decemberists
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Marauder on 1987: The end of a landmark Elizabeth Thomson on Made of bricks Gary Huskisson on When the lights go out Nichelle Smith on The Red, White and Blue: what… Jane Henry on The long march: 50 years of ja…
Category Archives: Cannock Chase
My Fair Lady
This is a wonderful article from local history rapscallion Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler which I think readers will really, really enjoy. Peter has developed a reputation hereabouts for being something of the iconoclast; formerly he has not pulled punches in his … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills local history, Chasewater, coal, Coppice, Hanbury, Heath Hayes, Hussey, local blogs, Local History, mining, Panoramio, pit, Politics, Staffordshire, Things to do
41 Comments
Tearing up the forest
Here’s a video I’m posting specifically for Rob Floders, who I know enjoys my cycle videos – Rob’s having a really tough time at the moment, and although I know a daft video can’t make anything better, I hope it makes him smile just a little.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Abraham's Valley, bike, Cam, Cannock Chase, Corner, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, forest, GoPro, Mountain Bike, New Blood, Peter Gabriel, ride, Rifle Range, Robert Floders, So, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Your Eyes
3 Comments
Mum’s the word
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area – particularly dog walkers – that the red deer population are giving birth right now. The heaths around Brownhills, Clayhanger, Pelsall and … 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 agressived, birth, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, defence, dog walking code, fawns, local blogs, mothers, New Photos, ogs, Red deer, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife, young
2 Comments
Where the art is…
Just a quick note to point out to readers that there’s some great coverage of the unveiling of Burntwood’s new mining memorial over on Lichfield Live – I passed through at about 2:45pm and it certainly looked very busy indeed – it seems like everyone had a great day.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Burntwood, Events, Lichfield, Lichfield Live, local blogs, Local History, Mining memorial, New Photos, Phil, pictures, planning, Ross, Sankeys Corner, SCAMP, Staffordshire, Statue, Things to do, Twitter, unveiling
2 Comments
A long storey
This is something I’d like to expand on for a bit of summer picture fun, if any readers are up for it – since I featured Steve Wilcox’s remarkable Walsall panorama last week, and Rose Burnell’s great Chasewater image, I’m looking for odd views, panoramas or shots from on high of Brownhills or the wider area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Domesday project, Events, Humphries House Landscape, JH Poole, Local History, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Phil Griffin, photos, Pubs, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
The love of the common people
There has been some comment locally about the Brownhills Common thing. I’m not going to push it again too much, as folk must be sick to the back teeth of it, but I have to get a plug in for a couple of excellent blog posts published today.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Aiden MacHaffie, Barrie Poxon, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Deer, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, Red deer, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Language of the underground
Our good mate Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has struck gold again. This transcription of an article from the Lichfield Mercury, of Friday, 4th January 1904 is a real gem, both for those with a keen interest in mining at the time, and those who are scholars of the nomenclature and language of our area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged bank, bat, brazil, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Clayhanger, clinch, colliery, crownin, down cast, fire stink, Local History, long wall, miner, mining, Silly, slang, square work, Staffordshire, sump, swag, thurling, up cast, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Into White
It’s taken me a couple of weeks to edit this up due to being somewhat busy with other stuff, but it’s not worked out so bad. A ride from near Maquis Drive, on Cannock Chase, up over Rifle Range Corner, past the old Butts, down into Abrahams Valley and out onto the A513 at Seven Springs.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Abraham's Valley, bike, Black, Cam, Camel, Cannock Chase, Cannock Chase (images of England), Corner, cycle, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, GoPro, ice, Lunar Sea, March, New Photos, ride, Rifle Range, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Winter
8 Comments
Marching on
I’ve had a blistering article mailed in from reader and friend of the Brownhills Blog, Stuart Cowley. Stuart, you’ll recall, has written and supplied some great material on the subject of Chasewater, and his pictures and recollections of the cafe there have been very popular.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bilston, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cannock, Carnival, Chase Royals, Chasewater, cinefilm, Competition, Events, Facebook, Heath Hayes, Jazz bands, local blogs, Local History, marching bands, New Photos, Parade, Polesworth, Rawnsley, Rushall, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Tameworth, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Red Caps, Ynysowen youth band
87 Comments
Gorgeous curves
Here’s a bit of a request stop. A few weeks ago there was a very positive response to my digitally contouring of an Ordnance Survey map in the analysis of the Watford Gap area near Sutton Coldfield.
I have a bit of clever software that can do this, and access to the mapping data to use as a canvas.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Barr Beacon, Brownhills, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Contour, Lichfield, Mapping, maps, Ordnance Survey, Relief, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Topografic, Walsall, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Enchanting forest
Well, I made it. Yesterday, I cycled up onto Cannock Chase. Starting from Brownhills, I headed up to Chasewater – which was stunning – and on through Heath Hayes and Hednesford, up to Rifle Range Corner. The going at Chasewater was very heavy, and a fine, wet sleet was making it quite uncomfortable. Wrestling with turning back, I pushed on, and as the temperature dropped, the sleet turned to powdery snow and the air cleared.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Abraham's Valley, beauty, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forest, Hednesford, Hills, january 2013, New Photos, Panoramio, photos, pictures, ride, Rifle Range Corner, Snow, Sow Street, Staffordshire, Sven Springs, Things to do, Winter
8 Comments
The fastest thing on the road
Just before Christmas, I got hold of a new bike cam. It’s a GoPro HD Hero black edition, which has some pretty nifty features, including less distortion from the lens and better performance in low light. I’ve been using it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged bad weather, Bicke Cam, Birmingham, Black Edition, Brownhills, butterfly, Camp Hill, Cycle rides, cycling, Digbeth, GoPro, HD, Hero, Lemon Jelly, New Photos, new Street, ride, Slow Train, Snow, Sparkbrook, Talvyn Singh, Things to do, Tyseley, video, Winter
6 Comments
Cycling trivialities
Thanks to everyone who took time to express opinions on my navel gazing contemplation on completion of my 365daysofbiking goal. I really was touched by the unexpectedly large amount of goodwill expressed about the project by a hugely diverse range of commentors. The compliments, encouragement and kindness are not something I’ll readily forget.
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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, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Silly, Spring, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, tumblr, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Along for the ride
Just before Christmas, I got hold of a new bike cam. It’s a GoPro HD Hero black edition, which has some pretty nifty features, including less distortion from the lens and better performance in low light. I’ve been using it ever since I got it, but the weather and dull commutes haven’t been conducive to decent ride videos.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged Afro Celt Soundsystem, Bicke Cam, Black Brook, Black Edition, Bluebells, Brownhills, butterfly, Cannock, Castle Ring, Chase, Chester Road, Cycle rides, cycling, Ford, GoPro, Hayfield Hill, HD, Hero, Hill, Hinst, Ivy Cottage, Lower Stonnall, New Photos, ride, Shenstone, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Talvyn Singh, Terrace, Things to do, video, Whirl-y-reel, Will She Always be Waiting, Wood
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Cervine suggestion
Today, we went up on Cannock Chase again, and I make no apologies for another feature on the deer. These lovely ladies were a smaller subset of the herd from last week, but on this occasion, they were a little more tolerant. They may well have been hungry. This is the closest I’ve ever managed to get to them.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Cannock Chase, carrots, Cycle rides, cycling, Deer, doe, Events, Fallow, fawn, feed, Hind, New Photos, Panoramio, Staffordshire, tame, The Chase, Things to do, Wildlife
4 Comments
24 Carrots
A sunny, winter’s Saturday afternoon on Cannock Chase. The wild fallow deer in their usual spot, always happy to come for a bag of carrots. Skittish and nervous, they stay long enough to take our orange performance fee, then wander … Continue reading
Bending Conduit
Every so often (and so it seems, with increasing frequency of late) I’ll get a response to an article I post here that leaves me speechless with the sheer depth and breadth of knowledge it demonstrates. There are, it seems, some very, very knowledgable specialists reading the shambling pile of old toss, and I really have no idea why they’re sticking around, but I’m very grateful for their contributions and presence.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, Derelict, Events, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Curious electric
It’s a curious fact of local history that little St. Anne’s Church, in Church Street, Chasetown, was the first church in Britain lit by electric light. The history of this installation, and of electricity coming to Chasewtown and Brownhills is inextricably tied up with the history of mining in the area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills a walk into history, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, charity, Chase Terrace, Chasetown, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Electricity, Events, Gerald Reece, historian, history, History Talk, Local History, Macmillan Cancer Support, mining, No 5 pit, planning, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Things to do, UDC
19 Comments
Rock and coal
Here’s one that is certain to create debate, comment and further articles. Alerted to it in the last week by both Gareth Thomas (Geographical whizz from Lichfield District Council) and Paul Daniel (data whizz behind the mechanism that keeps local news site The YamYam running so brilliantly), it’s a book scanned and published by that wonderful resource Google Books.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged BGS, Book, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Clayhanger, coal, Common, download, Engine Lane, Geological Survey of Great Britain, J Beete Jukes, local blogs, Local History, mines, mining, Museum of Practical Geology, Old maps, Shire Oak, South Staffordshire Coal Field, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Victorian, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Are you being cervine?
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area that the deer population are getting amorous. It’s rutting time for our large brown friends, and that means one thing: the heaths around Brownhills, Clayhanger, Pelsall and Chasewater in particular are likely to be host to rather grumpy, aggressive stags guarding their female harems.
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 Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, Neil Tipton, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Castle class
I’ve had a lovely email from Tony Turner. Tony, you’ll remember, was born in a cottage at what was known as The Fort in Newtown, Brownhills. Recent historical debates here have focussed on where The Fort was, and whether it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 70's, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cannock, Castle Street, club, colliery, Doody, Ford, Joe Turner, Local History, Mines Rescu, Mr, Mrs, New Photos, Pubs, rescue, Staffordshire, The Fault, The Fort, Tony Turner, Transit
1 Comment
Recovered history
The aerial image of Chasewater I posted on Thursday evening really has spurred on some creative consideration of the park’s history. I’ve been surprised and delighted by the memories and theories that have emerged relating to the stunning image, taken … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 24 hour race, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, J Donaldson, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Nigel Mansell, Norton Pool, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Silly, speedboat, Staffordshire, steamboat, Wildlife
18 Comments
Urgent! Help find these lost steeds
Friend of the blog and top Brownhillian cyclist chap Lee Slater has contacted me with this tale of abject woe from his friends in Rugeley. It seems two mountain bikes were stolen from a house in Rugeley in the early … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 16th August, Burglary, Giant Trance, GT, GT Outpost, Lee Slater, mountain, Rugeley, Stolen, stolen bikes, Theft
1 Comment
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
Face to face
Following on from my post last week where I featured local historian Gerald Reece’s research and loving reproductions of the mapping for the the proposed Norton Branch of the South Staffordshire Railway, I have an interesting document to share with … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1884, Bettys Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, Conduit Colliery, Conduit colliery basin, Document, Draft, Gerald Reece, history, local blogs, Local History, London North Western Railway, mining, New Photos, Norton Branch, Norton Canes, Old maps, plan, Pubs, Railway, Red Lion, Redevelopment, South Staffordshire Raiway, Staffordshire
10 Comments
Scouting for assistance
I have been contacted by the Group Leader of 1st Walsall Wood Scout Group, friend of the blog Lee Bragginton, who needs some help raising money for a minibus for the group. This is a fine aim for a great … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1st, 38th Walsall, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cubs, Events, history, Lee Bragginton, Local History, minibus, New Photos, planning, Scouts, Shire Oak, sponsorship, Walsall Wood, Youth
3 Comments
The truth will out
I see that Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler continues his diligent and painstaking examination of the Harrison Company, family and concerns. The Harrisons, readers will recall, were wealthy mine owners hereabouts, and Peter has spent a great deal of time in recent … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1861, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, CCMHS, James Cooper, Local History, Mick Drury, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Staffordshire, William Harrison
17 Comments
Stretching things a bit…
Long-time reader reader and friend of the blog Bev Lloyd pointed out via Facebook that she liked the topographic thing I occasionally do with maps, where I pull them into 3D representations of the contours they cover. I do this … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 3d, Bev Lloyd, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Facebook, geography, Local History, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, OS, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Topographic maps, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Velvet green
Although it’s been quite windy and cool of late, there have been some lovely, sunny days. On both Saturday and Sunday last, I managed to get in some excellent bike rides in around south Staffordshire. As usual, the GoPro camera … Continue reading
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
Some days catch the light like diamonds
It’s been an odd spring. After the warmth and almost summer-like weather of March, April was a cool, wet disappointment. Spring has sneaked in under the wire, everything gently inching ahead, afraid to make itself noticed. Nature is holding it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Castle Ring, Chase Teraace, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, Cycle rides, cycling, Deer, Engine, Fallow, Hayfield Hill, Locomotive, Longdon, New Photos, Oilseed Rape, Panoramio, Penkridge Bank, Ramsons, Rifle Range Corner, Rugeley, Rugeley Power Station, Sailing, Staffordshire, Stonywell, Tadpoles, Trent Aqueduct, Wild Garlic, Wildlife
9 Comments
Don’t let go – the menace of ballon releases and chinese lanterns
As predicted, the wonderful Morgan Bowers – Senior Countryside Ranger for Walsall Council – has really smashed this blogging thing. The dust has barely settled from setting the blog up, and Morgan is already writing hard-hitting, controversial posts and giving … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Balloon Race, balloon release, bird life, birds, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, chinese lantern, killer, litter, Margan Bowers, pollution, RSPB, threat, walsall Wildlife
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The white heat of technology
Top local history ferret Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, is on outstanding form right now. Not only is he an ace Panoramian, he’s also thrown himself into researching the history of mining in Brownhills with some degree of gusto, and it’s much … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 1860, 1893, Aution, Birmingham Gazette, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Coppice Pit, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Parkes, Pigot directory, Pump, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Advertiser, Steam pump, Tamworth Herald, West Colliery
13 Comments
Light in the darkness
This is just a quick one, as I’m absolutely knackered tonight, to be honest, but I just had to share this… One of the things that has always delighted me about doing this blog is the way that subjects and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1835, Aution, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Brownhlls coal mines, Cathedral Pit, Coppice Colliery CO., Coppice Cottages, Coppice Pit, Derelict, Engine, Engine Lane, Farrington and sson, local blogs, Local History, Marklew, Marklew's Pond, mining in brownhills, New Photos, Otway, Parkes, Pump, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Advertiser, Steam pump, West Colliery, WM Smith
10 Comments
Driven like the snow
Today, we finally had some real winter weather. After the unseasonal warmth of Christmas, these last few cold, frosty, clear days have been a breath of fresh air for me. Yesterday, I watched the weather forecast hoping for snow. As … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bleak House, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Cannock Chase, Cannock Road, Chasewater, Cuckoo Bank, Cycle rides, cycling, Hednesford Hills, herd, Hind, New Photos, Night photography, Panoramio, Parrs Warren, Pubs, Red deer, Rifle Range Corner, Snow, Staffordshire, Stag, Winter, Wolseley Arms, Wolseley Bridge
1 Comment
Anyone know anything about these Cannock Chase offroaders?
Abraham’s Valley, Cannock Chase. 3:50pm, Saturday, 7th January 2012. I’m sure there must be a perfectly innocent explanation for this. Two vehicles, driving off-road, up Abraham’s Valley on the Chase toward Rifle Range Corner. I have never, ever seen private vehicles … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 4WD, Abraham's Valley, bike cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, forest, illegal, off road, offloading, Rangers, Rifle Range Corner, Staffordshire, Vandalism, vehicles, Wildlife
4 Comments
Heroes of the underground
I thank [Howmuch?] for the following contribution, which he found amongst his paperwork while having his annual clear out. He really is every it the star… CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD. St. James’s Paloce, S.W.1. 12th February, 1957. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1957, Bravery, British Empire Medal, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, colliery, George Albert Schofield, George Bywater, Howmuch, Local History, London Gazette, mininers, New Photos, Order tf the British Empire, pit disaster, roof fall, Staffordshire, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, William Henry Joiner
4 Comments
Slipping the reins
I have recently become rather concerned over what appears to be a new pre-Christmas trend. The exhibiting of real reindeer at fetes, events and in town centres locally seems to be increasingly fashionable. In an age when animal circuses are … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Caged deer, Chasewater, Cheap tat, Christmas, Deer, Facebook, Fallow, Lichfield, local blogs, Muntjac, New Photos, Red, Reindeer, Santa deer, Silly, Social media, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Town Centre management team, Wildlife
24 Comments
How the Brave New World began in Walsall Wood, 1952
Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I present another fantastic piece by regular contributor David Evans. David is writing so much good stuff at the moment… I’m sure you’ll all join with me in thanking him for his sterling and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cart, David Evans, garden shed, go-cart, kart, Local History, memories, New Photos, old childhood, Shire Oak, Silly, soap box cart, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Little ups and downs
On Wednesday, I published a ride video on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr journal of a ride from Brocton Field on Cannock Chase to the car park at Milford Common, mainly along the Sherbrook Valley. It’s the same ride upon which I … Continue reading
The hour of darkness
It’s the end of British Summer Time again; long term readers will know well just how much I hate this. Although it changes my photography, and the nature of my cycling, I mourn the passing of the warmth and light … Continue reading
Captivated by history
I had this great email from David Evans recently. Hi Bob Italian Prisoners of War Following David Oakley’s revelation amazing in the ‘Tanking Along‘ articles that there were Italian prisoners of War locall, something I had no knowledge of, I … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, 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, David Evans, Facebook, Gordon Mycock, Italian, Julian Ward-Davies, local blogs, Local History, Lynn, POW, Prisoner of war camp, Q-trax, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnal Local History Group, Stonnall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Stuck in a rut
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area that the deer population are getting amorous. It’s rutting time for our large brown friends, and that means one thing: the heaths … 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 Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, G Richardson, local blogs, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
The lost and found
Enjoying the unseasonal weather yesterday, I took another spin around Brocton Field on Cannock Chase before heading out to Blithfield Reservoir. I’ve been idly looking for an oddly English monument for some time, but in the way of things I … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brereton, Brocton, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Freda, Freda's Grave, Friend of Cannock Chase, Local History, New Photos, New Zealand Rifles, outdoors, Panoramio, Staffordshire, Wildlife
5 Comments
Tanking along…
The question of tank testing in Shire Oak Quarry is ongoing. I’ve received a large number of fine contributions from David Evans, not least this email communication between him and the Tank Museum…. From: David Evans Sent: 26 September 2011 … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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 Bloxidge Tallygraph, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chester Road sand and gravel, David Fletcher, Ernest Jones, Gentleshaw Sand & Gravel, Hoveringham, Janice Tait, Len Jones, Local History, Sandhills, Second World War, Sheila Norris, Shire Oak, Shire Oak nature reserve, Shire Oak quarry, Staffordshire, Steve Hickman, Stuart Williams, Tank, tank testing, The tank museum, Valentine Tank, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood, world war two
44 Comments
Digging for victory
Here’s a quick one from top bloke David Evans relating to the tank testing alleged to have occurred at Shire Oak during the Second Word War. He’s kindly contacted Len Jones, of the Gentleshaw Sand & Gravel co. (Hence Jones … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chester Road sand and gravel, Ernest Jones, Gentleshaw Sand & Gravel, Hoveringham, Len Jones, Local History, Sandhills, Second World War, Shire Oak, Shire Oak nature reserve, Shire Oak quarry, Staffordshire, Tank, tank testing, Walsall Wood, world war two
4 Comments
The quarrymen
This is a bit of a delicate one, as I’m aware this might be treading on memories, but the veracity of this particular local legend is intriguing me. In the pub last night, discussion fell to the tale that during … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chester Road sand and gravel, Hoveringham, Local History, Sandhills, Second World War, Shire Oak, Shire Oak nature reserve, Shire Oak quarry, Staffordshire, Tank, tank testing, Walsall Wood, world war two
16 Comments
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