Life in the northern wastes of Walsall
Friend of the blog Jess Horsley has been in touch to ask me to spread the appeal for a stolen Star Pei dog, pictured above, that was stolen from her pal’s garden in Bloxwich on Monday 13th March 2017 – Jess wrote:
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting tonight, Monday 13th March 2017 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
Please share as widely as possible – this is urgent, a friend of the blog has asked me to share this stolen dog alert – the above dog was snatched in Ogley Park off Saddler Road in Brownhills this afternoon by two lads.
Worrying news from Clayhanger where near the canal bridge last night at around 11pm (Sunday 5th March 2017) a lady was mugged by a couple of robbers for £30.
I’ve noticed that Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a preserved industrial railway right on our doorstep is re-starting passenger services this weekend after the winter shutdown.
I had duff information, the deer talk took place 4th February 2017 and doesn’t take place tomorrow. My apologies.
For those of you into conservation and the local environment, there’s this event going on at Norton Bog (that’s north Chasewater) this Sunday, 26th February 2017 – the Friends of Norton Bog are a great group and you can find out more about them at the event.
Today (Monday, 30th January 2017) I was contacted by Irene ‘The Swan Lady’ Hodges who was in a state of some enthusiasm, as amongst her usual daily cohort of swans and waterfowl at Chasewater, there was a single black swan, which she fed and caught on video.
I’d just like to make a quick observation if I might, as I had very positive feedback from yesterday’s meeting of Brownhills Neighbourhood Watch at the Activity Centre, but just one thing seems to have cast a shadow on the evening.
In light of recent events, there’s a very interesting meeting taking place at 7pm this evening Monday, 16th January 2017 – that of Brownhills Neighbourhood Watch.
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting tonight, Monday 16th January 2017 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
In light of recent events, there’s a very interesting meeting taking place at 7pm this coming Monday, 16th January 2016 – Brownhills Neighbourhood Watch.
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting on Monday 16th January 2017 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
There’s a further chance to get into the Christmas spirit this Sunday (11th December 2016) – there’s the Annual Christmas Fair and Lantern Parade being held at Chasewater Innovation Centre.
Brownhills Community Association have been busy, and recently got in touch to point out that they have a great live comedy act this weekend in The Lamp, their new arts and performance space.
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting on Monday week (Monday 14th November 2016) of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
I note Chasewater Railway have Halloween ghost trains running this evening (30th October 2016) with prizes for fancy dress, ghostly fun and games and much more spooky fun for all the family!
I note Chasewater Railway have a celebration this Sunday (2nd October 2016)of their lovely little green locomotive Teddy with special services, brake van rides, photo opportunities and much more for all the family!
You’ll remember a few days ago I cautioned local folk – especially dog walkers – to beware of the deer at the moment as the rut was getting underway, and they’d be a whole lot less tolerant as the hormones did their thing – well, I wasn’t wrong – as the video here shows, deer romance is well underway at Chasewater, with remarkable footage captured today by deer expert Jochen Langbein.
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area that over the next 8-10 weeks or so the deer population will be 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.
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting tonight (Monday 12th September 2016) of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
Readers who’ve been hanging around this ramshackle, leaky village pump for a while will no doubt remember how we’ve touched here on the history of local marching bands, particularly the Burntwood Blue Birds Jazz Band.
An appeal reaches me via Facebook from Pool House Veterinary Hospital – rather delightful Yorkshire Terrier was found in Shire Oak Park, Brownhills/Walsall Wood and it would be nice if we could reunite her with his owners.
I note Chasewater Railway have a Late Summer Gala this weekend (Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September 2016), with special guest engine Andrew Barclay and a much busier running timetable than normal.
There’s currently a buzz in the local rail community and in some groups on Facebook about a 1968 cinefilm recently converted to digital and uploaded online by rail historian and blog regular, Ian Pell – it’s a remarkable, wonderful thing, and Ian has written a fascinating account of the film and line it covers especially for the blog, which I feature below.
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm on Monday 12th September 2016 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
Reader Paul Evans has been in touch with a bit of an odd one: he found the above bag on the street last Saturday, just by National Tyre in Ogley Road/Chase Road, Brownhills – just at Co-op Corner.
Last week here I featured a film clip made be photo restorer and friend of the blog Lisa Ashby, celebrating Brownhills and the Black Country – Well, Lisa’s been at it again, and made a lovely clip about The Burntwood Bluebirds, the award-winning marching band from Burntwood.
There’s a great thing happening this Sunday (7th August 2016) when a bus service operated by classic vehicles will operate between Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Aldridge, Chasewater Railway and the Museum of Cannock Chase.
That there Lucy Wood from the Saxon Hill Craft Barn shop at Chasewater Innovation Centre has written to let me know that they’re currently seeking businesses that may have waste materials they’d be able to supply to the project instead of throwing away, thus reducing refuse bills for the businesses concerned.
Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a local preserved industrial railway is this Sunday (7th August 2016) staging it’s annual Charities Day, when the railway will be operating with steam trains, and there will be charity stalls and activities at Brownhills West Station.
A quick one from the Chasewater page on Facebook – this lovely Donkey cuddly toy was found at Chasewater Railway, near the cafe yesterday by Debi Taylor.
I notice that this Sunday, 24th July 2016, there’s a rather fun looking vintage event being staged at Chasewater Railway byMabel’s Vintage Carriage, who have a regular vintage stall in a carriage at the preserved railway.
Brownhills Community Association have been busy, and recently got in touch to point out that they have a great new arts and performance space in the refurbished former school hall which is now called The Lamp.
Friend of the blog Chrissie Ismay has been in touch to let me know that there’s a Classic Car Show on at Walsall Arboretum this Sunday 17th July 2016.
Just a quick heads up that this Sunday (17th July 2016), there’s to be a Summer Fair and Dog Show at Chasewater – the whole thing runs from 10am until 4pm, with registration for the Dog Show taking place from 11am and the show itself at 2:30pm.
This Saturday and Sunday (16th and 17th July 2016) will be quite a special weekend for the local powerboat community as Chasewater hosts the PowerBoatGP 2016 Chasewater Grand Prix at our favourite reservoir and country park.
A great image has come in from friend of the blog and long time contributor Andy Dennis, who’s dug out this fascinating picture of a once prominent local sport that used to take place in Brownhills.
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm this Monday evening 11th July 2016 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
Please share as widely as possible – this is urgent, a friend of the blog has asked me to enquire if readers have seen a lost French bulldog around the Pelsall, Rushall, Clayhanger or Brownhills area – Daisy went missing yesterday afternoon from Pelsall (Saturday, 10th July 2016).
Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a local preserved industrial railway is this Sunday (10th July 2016) staging a Burton Brewery Locomotives Day, which can be combined via a link-up heritage bus service with the Aston Manor Transport Museum open day in Aldridge, for a total transport blowout!
Just recently we’ve talked extensively about the Midland Railway through Walsall Wood and Brownhills, and the notorious rail tour that seems to have been the last passenger train along it – but we’ve also discussed local brick making too, and I think this is an excellent time to feature this article by top local historian Gerald Reece.
Leoni Thacker has been in touch to let us know that Woody, the lovely ginger and white cat who went missing from the Lichfield Road area of Brownhills in the last few days, turned up safe and well this morning at 1:00am!
Leoni Thacker has been in touch to ask readers to look out for her cat, who’s gone missing from the Claverdon Close area of Brownhills (That’s just off the Lichfield Road near the Memo) following some building work.
Last week, we looked at early evidence of local brick making on an industrial scale, after a remarkable passage describing a local brickworks was spotted in an 1850 book by the wonderful Simon Briercliffe.
Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a preserved industrial railway is this this weekend staging a coal train special event, which sounds just the thing for train-loving dads and their families who may be looking for a special treat for the old fellow.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that this Sunday (June 12th 2016), the second Staffordshire Ironman Triathlon will be staged, with a 1.2 mile swim in Chasewater being amongst the highlights.
I’ve noticed in the last few days that Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a preserved industrial railway, running steam and vintage diesel trains around Chasewater Park- has won royal recognition for it’s work.
Following my recent request for memories of Chasewater Stadium, I had a great contribution from long time friend of the blog Fred Butler, who has a rather interesting contribution. I’m after any ephemera or memorabilia anyone can supply, as there’s still much debate around the sporting venue and I’m absolutely fascinated in it as a…
An appeal reaches me via Facebook from Pool House Veterinary Hospital – a rather gorgeous white dog was found in Brownhills yesterday (Sunday 29th May 2016) and it would be nice if we could reunite her with his owners, who clearly love her very much.
