#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Tsuneni AiFionn Regan3 hours ago
Up into the RaftersFionn Regan3 hours ago
EuphoriaFionn Regan3 hours ago
Wall of SilverFionn Regan3 hours ago
AiFionn Regan3 hours ago
Book of the MoonFionn Regan3 hours ago
Cape of DiamondsFionn Regan3 hours ago
Turn the Skies of Blue OnFionn Regan3 hours ago
Cormorant BirdFionn Regan3 hours ago
The Meetings Of The WatersFionn Regan3 hours agoRecent Comments
Kevin Lamb on Open day and night Susan Jones (nee Elw… on Miss Hall’s girls Gordon Garnett on Distant Hoofbeats remembered Gordon Garnett on Distant Hoofbeats remembered Christine on Gerald Reece’s Chasewate…
Category Archives: Churches
A gift from Brian…
Reader Brian Clenton today landed us with a surprise: some excellent photos of Brownhills and Clayhanger life, mostly in the 1950s – these beautifully scanned images are wonderfully diverse, but Brian didn’t say much about them.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1950's, 1960's, Barbecue, Brian Clenton, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Butcher, Chapel, Chasewater cycling, Clayhanger, Clenton, football, Footy, Juiors, Lichfield, Local History, Methodist, New Photos, Oglay Hay, Ogley Hay, Pig Roast, play, soccer, Staffordshire, Sunday School, Twitter, Walsall Wood
22 Comments
Brownhills British Legion First World War commemorative event this morning
Friend of the blog and top bloke Martin Littler pointed out on Facebook yesterday, that this morning (Monday, 4th August 2014) there will be a First World War commemorative event in Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 4 August 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Conflict, Events, first, Great, Local History, Martin Littler, memorial, Moday, Remembrance, Royal, Royal British Legion, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, war, world
1 Comment
World War One Centenary events in Walsall this Monday
As you will no doubt be aware, it’s the centenary of our entry into World War One on Monday, 4th August 2014, and Walsall Council and other organisations in the borough have arranged some interesting, respectful and well considered events to mark the 100 years.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 4 August 2014, Brownhills local history, Cecil Burton, Conflict, David Evans, Events, first, folly, Great, Harry Patch, Levi Cooper, Local History, memorial, Moday, Peter Cutler, Remembrance, Royal British Legion, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, war, world
3 Comments
Local history for a distant son
I thought today I’d just do a small post highlighting a couple of sites that will be of interest to many readers, but mainly to blog stalwart David Oakley, who I sadly gather hasn’t been in the best of health lately.
Posted in Bad Science, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A brief history of Darlaston, Bev Parker, birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Darlaston Remembers, Darlo, David Oakley, fallen, FH Lloyd, GKN, green, industry, Local History, Local politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Staffordshire, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, war memorial, Wilkings and Mitchell
3 Comments
Fixed in time
I’ve had in a great contribution from a chap who’s been a friend of the blog for as long as I’ve been writing it – Roger ‘Ziksby’ Jones – on the subject of early bicycles, which arose from the image of F. Bradbury recently supplied by John and Paul Anslow.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged @ziksby, Anslow, bicycle, bikes, Bradbury, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bycycles, cycling, early, fixed wheel, john, Lichfield, Local History, Malvern, New Photos, Paul, Roger Jones, The Malvern Cycling Club 1883-1912, Things to do, Veteran-Cycle Club, W H Melhuish, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Cherished Reg
I’m surprised and delighted to note there’s a rather excellent new blog on the scene, and it features the work of a rather wonderful chap who has previously contributed a huge amount to the Brownhills Blog – Reg Fullelove.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1980, Book, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chapel, Church, Fullelove, Local History, Methodism, Methodist, PDF, Poem, Staffordshire
12 Comments
Certified child labour
John and Paul Anslow have been great contributors to the Brownhills Blog over the last year or so – only recently, we had the great debate spurred by his wonderful images of the brass band and that monstink, Mr Bradbury.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1904, Anslow, Board of Education, boys, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Girls, Jackson, Jane, john, Labour Certificate, Lichfield, Local History, Mary, mixed, New Photos, Paul, School, Shire Oak, St Johns, Staffordshire, Sunday School, Things to do, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
A fresh supply
Things are a bit all over the place this weekend, so I thought it might be a great time to highlight the latest post on Susan Marie Ward’s fantastic local and family history blog, Staffordshirebred.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, 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 Bentley, Facebook, grandfather, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, pumping station, Staffordshire, Staffordshirebred, Susan MArie Ward, Things to do, Trent Valley
3 Comments
A bit of a monstink…
I present today a series of three photos, and a wonderful article with some remarkable detail – I’d like readers – not just the Walsall Wood Massive – to help here, please with names and recollections if you have any.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anslow, Band, bicycle, Bradbury, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cycling, David Evans, David Stickland, Ebenezer, Harry, Jackson, john, Lichfield, Local History, Marigold, New Photos, Newbould, Paul, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Sunday School, Tams, The parish church of Walsall Wood, Things to do, Walsall Wood
34 Comments
Summer’s first breath
We’ve had a really fine few days, and I really feel now that summer is on her throne – the leaves are all fully out now, the whites and yellows of spring are turning to the reds and purples of summer, and nature and the landscape is resplendent in the multi-colured jacket the sun provides.
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged A picture tour of old Pelsall Rushall and Shelfield, Aldridge Brick & Tile, Alrewas, Armitage, bike, bridge, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Dunstall, FJ Long, Fradley, great crested, Grebe, hall, Lichfield, Longdon, Narrowboat, New Photos, Panoramio, Red Lion, Redevelopment, refurbishment, Reopening, ride, river section, Staffordshire, Things to do, wildflowers, Wildlife, wind turbinebugle
9 Comments
At silly mid on
A few weeks ago, the young David Evans started exploring the history of Walsall Wood Cricket Club here on the Brownhills Blog, following some great contributions by Julie Le-Moine – steadily, we’re building up a good record of the lost cricket club, which stood where Boundary Close is now, behind St John’s Church and the Library.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1947, 1957, 1971, Alan, Alan Collins, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, clubhouse, Cricket, Cricket Club, Crutchley, Cynthia, David Evans, Events, Facebook, field, football, George Crutchley, Horse and Jockey, Julie Le-Moine, Lichfield, Linda, Local History, New Pavillion, New Photos, photo, pitch, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, team, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Wesleyans
14 Comments
West of here – welcome to WyrleyBlog
Local historian, researcher and author Clive Roberts has been in touch to alert me of a new blog on the scene – I’d spotted it a few times in my site stats, but not had chance to check it out. It’s actually rather wonderful.
Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Churches, Environment, 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
Tagged blogs, Canal, club, gret, Harrisons, Imperial, Lichfield, little Wyrley, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Wyrleyblog, Wyrleyrob
1 Comment
Park up, take a pew…
Over the last few weeks, a newspaper clipping found in the Walsall Observer archive by [Howmuch?] has caused a whole heap of interest, reporting the laying of a foundation stone for the ‘new schools at Watling Street’, readers have debated where it might actually relate to.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged A5, Barry Aylett-Warner, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Castle Street, ceremony, Chapel, Church, David Evans, Events, Foundation Stone, Howmuch, Keith Rothery, laying, Lichfield, Local History, Methodist, New Photos, Park View, Prince of Wales, Redevelopment, School, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
15 Comments
A very Good Friday
Yesterday, Good Friday 18th April 2014, was a good day for a ride – with the day off and the sun shining (although not as warm as one would have thought), I headed out to Staffordshire to cath the sun and beauty of spring.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged anemone, bicye, bike, Blossom, Bluebell, Cam, Canal, Canwell, Church, Convent, Cycle rides, cycling, Devils Dressing Room, Edingale, Events, ewe, good weather, GoPro, Harlaston, Haunton, Hays, HD Hero 3+, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Netherseal, New Photos, No Man's Heath, Oilseed Rape, Panoramio, ride, sheep, Speedwell, Spring, Staffordshire, Stonnall, sun, Syercote, Things to do, wildflowers, Wildlife, Wood
5 Comments
Get them before they’re gone!
Here’s a message from Walsall Local History Centre, specifically for readers of the Brownhills Blog – I’m always banging on about getting copies of local history books while they’re still around, and now’s your chance to bag copies of three of Stuart Williams works about Walsall.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Books, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Darlaston, gifts, Local History, local history books, New Photos, Pelsall, Rushall, session, Signing, Streetly, Stuart Williams, Walsall, Walsall Borough Past & Present, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Cente, Walsall Museum, Walsall Wood, Waterstones, Willenhall, WLHC
Leave a comment
A treat for the choir and an ignominious extraction
Continuing with the surprisingly rich seam that is the thread originating from the 1931 Watling Street School Walsall Observer article, I’ve had a couple of excellent reader contributions which I just have to share.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1886, A5, accounts sheet, Andy Dennis, Barry Aylett-Warner, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Church, Deakin, Eryl Powell, Foundation Stone, Jonah, lalance Sheet, Lesley Powell, Lichfield, Local History, Methodism, Methodist, Mission, New Photos, Park View, Redevelopment, School, ST. Thomas, Staffordshire, The Parade, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
9 Comments
Cheques and balances
It’s often the case that when discussing one topic here on the Brownhills Blog, it leads to an interesting discussion going off at a tangent, and so it has with the subject of the Watling Street School Walsall Observer article from 1931.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1886, A5, accounts sheet, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Church, Eryl Powell, Foundation Stone, lalance Sheet, Lesley Powell, Lichfield, Local History, Mission, New Photos, Redevelopment, School, ST. Thomas, Staffordshire, The Parade, Things to do, Walsall Observer, Watling Street
4 Comments
It’s a naked place without cricket
It’s always nice to kick off a new historical thread here on the blog, and this one will be particularly wonderful to curate, as I know there’s a lot of local interest in the old cricketing history of Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bill Mayo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cricket, Cricket Club, David Evans, Events, Facebook, field, football, George Crutchley, Horse and Jockey, Jockey Hoe, Jockey Meadows, Joe Blakemore, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, photo, pitch, Pubs, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, team, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Wesleyans
9 Comments
Classical Gas
I noted the other day that the National Library of Scotland mapping archive was growing, as is the National Newspaper archive – another service that’s quietly gaining content is the Aerofilms archive of aerial photography of Britain from 1919-1953.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1938, 1946, Aerial Photos, Aerofilms, archive, Britain from the Air, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canes, Commander Foxy, Conduit Colliery, English Heritage, Gas Works, Local History, New Photos, No 3, Norton, Pike Helve, Pubs, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Dead ground?
I’ve had an interesting enquiry from Laura Watkins, about the cemetery in Barnetts Lane, Brownhills, and it’s a little unusual in nature.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Avenues, Barnetts Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cemetery, Daisys, field, Lichfield, Local History, Meadow, New Photos, Old maps, Opening, planning, Second Avenue, St James, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood Secondary School
22 Comments
Thanks for an ingratitude
From time to time, I like to feature articles out of old gazetteers here on the blog – they are a great love of mine, and they help shine a new light on old, familiar places, as well as giving a neat insight into the times they were written in.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1930's, Arthur Mee, Burntwood, Garrick, Gazetteer, Johnson, Kings England, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Nelson, New Photos, Panoramio, Shenstone, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wednesbury
1 Comment
The final lot
The demolition is by now nearly complete – after 155 years extant, and about 40 of those derelict, the former St John’s School in Walsall Wood has now largely reduced to pallets of bricks and oddments of scrap.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, Cawarden Brick and Tile, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Rugeley, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Breaking down the walls…
The tenacity and charm of the young David Evans continues to be rewarded, and he has again created great pictorial documentation of the demolition process being undertaken on the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Demolition, man
Thanks to the keen eye and subsequent alert by reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the outrageous cheek, charm and loquaciousness of the young David Evans, I can present internal and external shots of the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood, currently undergoing demolition.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Leaving hibernation
We’re a third of the way through March, and daffodils are out, the sun is high in the sky and spring is in full effect – I left in the afternoon for a quiet, fast spin – I ended up on a 45-miler around Lichfield, Croxall, Edingale, Harlaston, Whittington, Weeford and Shenstone.
[caption id="attachment_17934" align="alignleft" width="300"]
How Shenstone looks best: in silhouette[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Canal, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, daffodils, Edingale, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, ride, Shenstone, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Sunset, Things to do, WHittington
3 Comments
Dazed
I’ve had a request from the young David Evans to re-run some photos from a post I created in 2011 – David has requested this as new reader and commenter Roger Mosedale has joined us in the last few days, and David feels that he may be able to help with the school photos here.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1932, 1953, 1955, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, choir, Clayhanger, cycling, Cycling Proficiency, David Evans, Ebenexer, football, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Roger Mosedale, school photos, Shire Oak, Silly, soccer, Staffordshire, Things to do, violinists, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Primary
6 Comments
Django unchanged
It’s been over a year now since I noted the sad news of the passing of Paul Degville, jazz musician extraordinaire and leading light in the formerly little recorded jazz scene that existed around the Crown Pub in Brownhills in the 1970s.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1970's, BBC, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, community, David Danks, death, Django, Ferrograph, Fred Degville, Ian, Jazz, Ken Rattenbury, Local History, local music, New Photos, Norman Pritchard, passed away, passing, Paul Degville, PaulDegville, Peter Barker, Phil Jones, Pubs, Service, St Michael, Staffordshire, The Crown, Wheatsheaf
9 Comments
Both sides, now
Here’s a thing I’ve been trying to get round to for a while now, but scanning booklets is a time consuming and laborious job – but in this case, very much a worthwhile one.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1980, Aer, Bonkies, Bonkis, Book, bookley, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chapel, Christian, Church, dialect, Fullelove, Local History, Methodism, Methodist, Norton Cnaes, PDF, Poem, poetry, Radio Birmingham, Reg, Staffordshire, Two Sides of Aer Reg, Wulfrun Echo
6 Comments
Brick by brick
Today, thanks to the eagle eye of reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the dedication and guile of a couple of regular blog readers and contributors, we have managed to catch the last days of a local, doomed landmark: St. John’s School, in Walsall Wood.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Urban spring
As is usual, today I visited Erdington Bike Jumble, the yearly tat-bazaar for cyclists that always takes place the first Saturday in March.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Architecture, Birmingham, Canal, contamination, Curdworth, Cycle rides, cycling, Erdington, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Snow Hill, Spaghetti Junction, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Things to do, Washwood Heath
3 Comments
That rings a bell…
That there young David Evans has been very busy – not content to loaf around convalescing like any normal person after his recent operation, he’s been preparing some new local history projects, and updating others.
[caption id="attachment_17624" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Image generously supplied by David Evans.[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Hand, Hand of glory, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Ringers, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, tintabulist, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
On to another level
Way back last summer, the young David Evans started a series of articles here on the Brownhills Blog about Brownhills Co-operative Choral Society, a very highly respected musical ensemble indeed, and a remarkable, often overlooked piece of Brownhills history.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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 Birch, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, Deryck, dog, Douglas, Eisteddfod, George Fullelove, Langford, Llangollen, Local History, Marathon, MBE, New Photos, Silver Street Methodist Church, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Get another glimpse into Brownhills Past
Regular readers will remember that last Autumn, there was an exhibition at Walsall Local History Centre featuring a whole tranche of of historic Brownhills photos and ephemera from the civic collection – this had proven to be so successful, that the top operatives at the town archives have decided to set many of the exhibits up on show in Brownhills Library, at the Parkview Centre, from now until the end of February 2014.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A taste of Historic Brownhills, Archives, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills past & Present, Canal, Carnival 1938, Clayhanger, Essex Street, Events, Exhibition, Hussey Arms, Library, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Parkview Centre, photos, plan, Pubs, Queen, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Station, steam engine, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall local history, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Rhyme and reason
While service is operating on reduced power, I thought I’d share this curious mystery – over the new year period, a Brownhills history group was created on Facebook, and it’s proved to be very interesting indeed.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged A walk down High Street Browmhills, Anchor, Brewes, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past and Present, Cooper, Events, Facebook, Jim Simpson, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mystery, old shops, Poem, poetry, Princeps, Pubs, Redevelopment, rhyme, Selwyn Smith, Silly, Staffordshire, Station Hotel, Things to do
23 Comments
I think that nails it…
Periodically, I’ve expressed my intrigue at the history of Chesterfield Lodge, at the tiny hamlet between Wall and Shenstone – Chesterfield is a small place, but has some remarkable architecture demonstrated in its houses and farms.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged Chesterfield, Chesterfield Lodge, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Panoramio, parish, Raikes, Roy Aston, SAHS, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, Wall, Workhouse
14 Comments
Caught on celluloid
I have something remarkable coming up on the blog tomorrow, a film I’ve been tracking down for a while, and thanks to the immense generosity and kindness of local history stalwarts Brian ‘Clayhanger Kid’ Stringer and the Young David Evans, I can present it here on the net for the community to share and debate.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Aldridge, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Cine film, Clayhanger, David Evans, Derelict, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, old brBrownhills, Pubs, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Staffordshire
13 Comments
A beautiful game
In recognition of the day, the Young David Evans sent me some rather wonderful photos a couple of days ago – as readers will know, David has a particular interest in the wars in Europe, and has strong connections to Messines and the place where the celebrated First World War Christmas truce and football match is believed to have started.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1914, Chris Baker, Christmas, David Evans, Events, football, Great War, Jean Claude Joly, Messines, military history, New Photos, Politics, The Long Long Trail, Things to do, trenches, Truce, Word War One, WW1
1 Comment
Sweet little mystery
In light of the time of year and the fact that many contributors and readers of this blog are big fans of Susan Marie Ward and her Staffordshirebred blog, I’d like to draw her latest post into the light.
Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, 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 Facebook, local blogs, Local History, nativity, New Photos, Palestine, Staffordshire, Staffordshirebred, Stonnall, Susan MArie Ward, Things to do, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Just one day like this…
Today I escaped for a bit – the weather was reasonably good, I had nothing pressing, and rather than fiddle with blog posts and other stuff, I decided to go for a decent ride.
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Canal, Canwell, Church, Churchyard, Crow's Castle, Cyclamen, Cycle rides, cycling, Footherley, Ford, Golden hour, Hays Wood, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, New Photos, Panoramio, Pillbox, Staffordshire, Stockfields, Sunset, Things to do
2 Comments
Free Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum today!
Top Walsall Council bod Kate Goodall contacted me to ask if I could plug the Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum -it is to be held in the beautifully refurbished bandstand tomorrow, Saturday 21st December 2013, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 15th December, 2012, arboretum, Bandstand, carol, Christmas, concert, Events, New Photos, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Silver caught?
A couple of weeks ago, I posted the following map here of central Brownhills from the late 1960s, in answer to an enquiry tied up with the thread about the Salvation Army Hall in Brownhills – it’s a great map, and at the time it caused quite a bit of interest.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1960's, 1:2500, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Google Earth, Humphries House, KMZ, Local History, New Photos, New Road, new Street, Old maps, overlay, planning, Redevelopment, Severn House, Silver Court, Staffordshire, Things to do
9 Comments
A very festive festival
David Evans has kindly sent in these wonderful images of Brownhills Methodist Church Christmas Tree Festival, where there’s also a Christmas Market on today (Saturday, 14th December 2013) from 9:00am until 1:30pm.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Tree Festival, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Clayhanger, David Evans, Events, Facebook, Festive, festivities, local blogs, Methodist Church, New Photos, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
Leave a comment
Why not pop in to Brownhills Christmas Tree Festival?
As part of the usual Brownhills Christmas celebrations, this fantastic display is open today…
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Tree Festival, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Festive, festivities, local blogs, Methodist Church, New Photos, Silver Street
3 Comments
Christmas magic in Brownhills today!
This is the first Christmas Magic event since 2011, and it looks to be a cracker – there will be loads to do and see, like a free artificial skating rink in Ravens Court, local choir carolling, tons of stuff for kids of all ages, and even donkeys!
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries
Tagged 14th december 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Evens, Brownhills Christmas Windows, Christmas Fair, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Christmas tree festival, Cradle Club, Craft Club, Donkeys, Festivity, Ice Rink, Nicky Rolls, Ravens Court, Santa Special, Shop Local, Shop smart, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
New local history book out soon!
It’s coming up to Christmas, and Stuart Williams and Walsall Local History Centre have a message for readers off the Brownhills Blog…
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Books, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Darlaston, gifts, Local History, local history books, New Photos, Pelsall, Rushall, session, Signing, Streetly, Stuart Williams, Walsall, Walsall Borough Past & Present, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Cente, Walsall Museum, Walsall Wood, Waterstones, Willenhall, WLHC
9 Comments
Sweet James
That there Clive Roberts – documenter of the history of the Shire Oak Inn and collector of local postcards – has been at it again He’s picked up another postcard of Brownhills at a fair, and mailed me scans of the front and back to post here on the blog.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged AW Bourne, Bill, Bramford, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, camp, Cannock Chase, Church, Derek Porter, Leicester, Local History, New Photos, Ogley Hay, parish, Postcard, Redevelopment, Road, School, St James, Staffordshire, Things to do
10 Comments
Party like its… 1998?
I like this a lot – way back in 1998, an officer for Walsall Council was given the job of taking some pictures of Brownhills town centre, the lady in question was handed a digital camera that took floppy disks, which lay filed away for 15 years until yesterday, when they came to light again.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1998, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, decay, Derelict, digital, gallery, High Street, images, Local History, New Photos, pictures, Shops, survey, Tesco, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
23 Comments
Christmas magic in Brownhills!
Well, it’s that time of year again – I noticed today that posters were up for this year’s Brownhills Christmas Magic event, and thought I’d better get hold of a copy and run it on the blog.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries
Tagged 14th december 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Evens, Brownhills Christmas Windows, Christmas Fair, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Christmas tree festival, Cradle Club, Craft Club, Donkeys, Festivity, Ice Rink, Nicky Rolls, Ravens Court, Santa Special, Shop Local, Shop smart, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Hey, Sally Anne…
Another research project for those so inclined came in this week, again via Twitter – Rob Kinnon-Brettle contacted me on Wednesday evening looking for information about the Salvation Army in Brownhills.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, 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 Wood stuff
Tagged Army, barracks, Booth, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Derelict, Events, hall, High Street, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Memories of Brownhills Past, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, religion, Rob Kinnon Brettle, Sally Ann, Sally Anne, Salvation, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Warreners
12 Comments
Details of local Remembrance events
Following the request last Sunday evening by Neil Harris for details of Bloxwich Remembrance Sunday Service, readers rallied round to help with details – for which I thank you all – subsequently I, others on local social media networks and top folks at Walsall Council got our heads together and assembled the following list of events.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, bad customer service, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
RSS - Posts
