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Category Archives: It makes me mad!
Sue, Grabbit and run
Sue Arnold, losing parliamentary candidate for Walsall South would like to graciously thank the residents there for all the votes, and isn’t bitter at all that sitting MP Valerie Vaz increased her majority – some could read Sue’s thank you message as a dire warning that they’ve made the wrong decision, but I’m sure that’s an unfortunate ambiguity.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, Facebook, Funny, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, satire, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
Local Parliamentary Constituency results for 2015 General Election
It’s been a long night – it’s now 5:30am – late for even me – and I’m off for a kip – it’s been a tough night for lefties, but I was pleased to see David Winnick hold onto his seat in Walsall North, which saw a very harsh campaign.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Just do it
Look, I’ll not beat around the bush – it’s general and local elections today and you can’t possibly have missed this fact – It’s been one of the nastiest, most closely fought campaigns in my living memory, and very probably represents the end of two party politics in the UK as we know it.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, Events, General, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Out of ordure
A couple of days ago, I featured here the curious case of the missing dog poo bin just behind Chandlers Keep near the canal in Brownhills – local dog walkers were unhappy at the disappearance of the well used disposal point.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bin, Brownhills, Canal, canal & river trust, Chandler's Keep, dog waste, Lichfield, New Photos, poo, removed, Shire Oak, Silly, towpath, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
21 Comments
Bin and gone
OK – no mucking around, enough is enough – someone has nicked a bin full of dog poo, we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it any more!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bin, Brownhills, Canal, canal & river trust, Chandler's Keep, dog waste, Lichfield, New Photos, poo, removed, Shire Oak, Silly, towpath, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
More power cuts in Walsall Wood
It seems there are reports of further power outages in the Walsall Wood area at the moment the power situation has been unstable since the weekend and a standby generator has been in operation in the area.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, cable, Electricity, Events, Facebook, Fault, generator, Lichfield, Oak Park, outage, power, power cut, Shire Oak, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Western Power Distribution
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Woodmen call time on wasting Westfields
Walsall Wood FC travelled to Hereford to play Westfields on Tuesday (21st April 2015) and returned victorious – but the start of the match saw some unsporting behaviour which annoyed Bill Shaw considerably, who doesn’t mince his words…
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 21 April, 5-2, allpay.park, Bill Shaw, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Hereford, home, match review, Report, result, soccer, support, Things to do, Victory, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Westfields, win
3 Comments
Be alert – Van burglary in Shire Oak
A reader living at the Chester Road end of Friezland Lane in Shire Oak has been in touch with me asking to share with readers that he had his van broken into and tools stolen last night (Tuesday 21st-Wednesday 22nd April 2015).
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 21 April, 22 April, break in, Brownhills, Burglary, Car Crime, crime, driver, Events, Friezland Lane, impact, jig saw, Leamore, Lichfield, local blogs, Police, power tools, public safety, reciprocating, Robbery, Shire Oak, tools, van, Vandalism, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police, Windows
1 Comment
The kindness of strangers – thank you
I just want to take a moment to say thanks to all who shared and kept an eye out for the silver mountain bike stolen from Brownhills High Street last Sunday Morning – the lad who had the bike taken sadly doesn’t have it back (any info still appreciated) but I and his mum would like to thank those of you who offered to help in so many ways.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 19 April, 2015, 21 gears, bike, Brownhills, crime, cycle, cycling, Downes, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, mountain, New Photos, Newsagent, paperboy, Police, Raleigh, Silver, Stolen, Theft, Things to do, Twitter, Vandalism
3 Comments
Urgent! Bike stolen from Brownhills
Hi folks – while I’m prodding the hardware with a long stick, there’s an important shout out I need to make for a young lad who does a paper round for Downes Newsagents in Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 19 April, 2015, 21 gears, bike, Brownhills, crime, cycle, cycling, Downes, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, mountain, New Photos, Newsagent, paperboy, Police, Raleigh, Silver, Stolen, Theft, Things to do, Twitter, Vandalism
3 Comments
Your chance to find out about our local deer…
I don’t know much about this one, but just a quick heads up: there’s a talk entitled ‘The Deer of South Staffordshire’ on at Chasewater Innovation Centre at 11:00am tomorrow morning, Wednesday 15th April 2015.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 15 April, 2015, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Chasewater SSSI, Deer, Events, Heathland, Innovation centre, Lichfield, Local History, Management, Natural England, Ranger Rob, Red deer, Talk, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall
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Travellers encamp near Chasewater
I note travellers have encamped on the land between Pool Road and Whitehorse Road in Brownhills, where the old trotting track and stadium used to stand.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, camp, Chasewater, Council, Cycle rides, cycling, encampment, Events, Eviction, Facebook, legal, Lichfield, New Photos, Staffordshire, travellers, Trotting Track, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council
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Recent antisocial behaviour in Church Road, Brownhills
Here’s a message I’ve had from a resident of Church Road in Brownhills – I don’t suppose I number many of the local yoots amongst the readership, but if by chance one is passing and reads this, stop being prats, OK?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall Council
Tagged ASB, Brownhills, Children, Church Road, doorbell, Events, gangs, kids, Lichfield, nuisance, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Youth
1 Comment
Brock and roll
This isn’t very pleasant, so I’ll be short and to the point – people, we have a burgeoning badger population at the moment as these guys come in from the fringes of local countryside into town, just as their brothers the foxes have done, and unfortunately they’re dying in large numbers on our roads.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Walsall Wood battle AFC Wulfrunians to decisive victory
The Woodmen last Tuesday (31st March 2015) faced AFC Wulfrunians at Castlecroft, and took yet another decisive win.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 3-0, 31st March, AFC Wulfrunians, away, Bill Shaw, Castlecroft, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, match review, Report, result, soccer, support, Things to do, Victory, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Westfields, win
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New road safety initiative for Brownhills
You all know that I love local wildlife – and that I’m particularly fond of the local deer population, who have sadly been involved in many accidents with vehicles in recent years on roads around our commons, countryside and open spaces.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Accident, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Common, Deer Safety partnership, Fatality, Lichfield, Local Committee, Mervyn Smith, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, road safety, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
21 Comments
Police issue statement on Clayhanger burglary incident
Following the police incident in CLayhanger on Friday afternoon (13th March 2015) West Midlands Police have issued the following statement:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 13 March, 2015, break in, Brownhills, Burglary, Clayhanger, crime, Events, Facebook, Helicopter, intruder, Police, public safety, Twitter, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police, Wych Elm Road
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What’s going on at the old Focus store on Northgate, then?
Images taken last weekend. Lots of you have contacted me asking about the works currently ongoing at the former Focus DIY store on the corner of Coppice Lane and Northgate, Walsall Wood. Local gossip had it for a long time … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, B&M, Big K, Cheap tat, Derelict, Do it all, Events, Focus, for, Lichfield, Middle, New Photos, Northgate, Oak, planning, Redevelopment, Royal, sale, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, work
15 Comments
The estate we’re in
I had an interesting email from reader and top local history technician Andy Dennis a couple of weeks ago that expands on a recent topic beautifully: that of William Roberts and his empire.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1943, Andy Dennis, bagby, brewer, Brewery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, clara, Coppice, death, deceased, Farm, Gerald Reece, inheritance, JP, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Local politics, Marklew, Pedro, Peter Cutler, philanthropist, Pubs, q, sale, Staffordshire, Station Hotel, The Coppice, The Old Tommy Shop, Things to do, Tommy Shop, will, William ROberts
10 Comments
Tick tock
This is just a reminder and a request – it’s been three months to the day since the dynamic duo of UKIPs Brownhills Councillor Steve Craddock and his best mate and Walsall Conservative former Regeneration head-honcho Adrian Andrew claimed to have brought home the bacon and hammered out some progress on the redevelopment of Ravens Court.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
Another phone snatch mugging – take care, folks
Following reports of phone-snatch muggings in Lindon Road, on the Brownhills/Walsall Wood border last weekend, there are sketchy reports of another such robbery taking place closer to Streets Corner on the Brownhills Road yesterday.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 7th February, Brownhills, crime, Events, Facebook, Gold, hoodie, iphone 6, lady, Lichfield, Lindon Road, Mugging, Police, Robbery, snatch, Twitter, Walsall Wood, white
1 Comment
No more sitting on the fence
I’m reblogging this from the wonderful Chaz Mason, who I’m sure won’t thank me for doing so – although this is important, and needs to be said, so down the hatch…
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Antisocial Birder, birding, Brownhills, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh Log, cut, escape, fence, Horses, local blogs, Local Wildlife, loose, planning, Redevelopment, Riding stables, Ryders Hayes, Ryders Mere, Silly, SSSI, Stevie Ansell, Vandalism, Wildlife
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Urgent! Distinctive motocross bike stolen from Brownhills
Heartbroken reader Luke has been in touch asking me to put out an appeal to trace his pride and joy – a KTM 85sx motocross motorcycle – which was stolen from the garden of his home on the Hussey Estate, Brownhills in the small hours of Thursday Morning.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2006, 2015, 85sx, bigwheel, Brownhills, chrome, Events, Excel Taskago, Facebook, Hussey Estate, KTM, Lichfield, Luke, motocross, motorbike, New Photos, Orange, Pelsall, Stolen, Swan, Theft, Things to do, Twitter, Vandalism
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Phone snatch mugging in Brownhills – be on your guard
There’s currently a status circulating on Facebook stating there’s recently been a phone-snatch mugging on Lindon Road on the Brownhills-Walsall Wood border – I haven’t been able to verify this with the police yet but a warning and appeal would seem prudent.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 7th February, Brownhills, crime, Events, Facebook, Gold, hoodie, iphone 6, lady, Lichfield, Lindon Road, Mugging, Police, Robbery, snatch, Twitter, Walsall Wood, white
1 Comment
An Urban Fox Hunt (Via The Reremouse)
This post is important, and was wholly written by Walsall Council Senior Wildlife Ranger Morgan Bowers (The Reremouse) – this is an issue of huge concern to me, and I repeat the post here as I think it will be a worry to all of us.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, destruction, Events, Facebook, Fibbersley, Fox, foxes, guns, killing, Lichfield, local blogs, Morgan Bowers, Nature Reserve, New Photos, shot, The Reremouse, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife, wildlife crime
1 Comment
Football memories and a message from Bill Shaw
Since yesterday’s Walsall Wood FC match against Alvechurch was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, Bill Shaw and David Evans both sent me stuff for the frustrated football fans to read while waiting for better days.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 6th February 1954, B. Jones, Bill Shaw, Cookley, David Evans, Events, FC, February, fixture List, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Heath Hayes, Lichfield, new, Signing, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
1 Comment
Motorbike stolen from Brownhills last Thursday – can you help?
Hey people – local lad Ash Evsy has posted the following request on Facebook – please be on the lookout for a stolen Yamaha Aerox 100cc motorbike, taken from Brownhills at around 3:00 am on Thursday, 29th January 2015.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 100cc, 2015, 29th January, Ash Evsy, Brownhills, Caroline Cash, DN13TGF, Events, Facebook, Fingerpost, FP53FJX, Honda, Lichfield, New Photos, NSC50R, Occupation Road, Pelsall, Quantock Close, Repsol, Stolen, taken, Theft, Things to do, Twitter, Vandalism, Yamaha Aerox
1 Comment
Walsall Wood Tesco Express to close
Just in case you haven’t seen it (you must have done by now, surely), the Tesco Express at Streets Corner, Walsall Wood is to close for good on March 15th 2015, as part of a closure program that will see 43 stores close across the country.
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Cheap tat, closing, Closure, decline, Express, Facebook, Lichfield, Meadowmarket, Quick Save, recession, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Street's Corner, Tesco, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Be alert – Vehicle vandalism incidents in Shire Oak
A reader living in the Commonside/Friezland Lane area of Shire Oak has been in touch with me asking to share with readers that he had his van windscreen smashed by vandals this evening (28th January 2015) at about 8:35pm as the van was parked outside his house.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 28 January, Browken, Brownhills, Car Crime, crime, Events, Friezland Lane, Lichfield, local blogs, Police, public safety, Shire Oak, Smashed, Vandalism, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police, windscreen
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Mill Road violent assault: Brothers sentenced to 10 years each
Readers may recall that last July, there was a violent assault when two men burst into a house in Mill Road, Brownhills, and violently attacked the householder – the two attackers have just been sentenced to 10 years in jail for the attack.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10 years, assault, Brownhills, Brownhills crime, community, conviction, Facebook, Gossip, incident, local policing unit, Mill Road, Police, Robert, Robert Taylor, Scott, sentence, Twitter, violent, weapon, West Midlands Police, Williams, WMP
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Post Morton
Readers with long memories may well recall that in December 2014 there was some furore over the selection of the next Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Aldridge Brownhills following the standing down of Richard Shepherd, who’s retiring from his 36 year tenure at the next general election.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 22 January, Aldridge Brownhills, Brownhills, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, meeting, New Photos, Politics, PPC, result, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wendy Morton, winner
6 Comments
Light entertainment
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll probably realise by now that Brownhills is the subject of some media controversy at the moment – a story emerging here via the Express & Star and syndicated out to the wider daily papers has caused outrage and recrimination.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, christmas lights, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, laughing stock, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, miner island, New Photos, Politics, press, Silly, Things to do, twelth night, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
15 Comments
Christmas bin collection information
Hi folks – I’m getting a lot of search hits for Christmas bin collection arrangements in the borough of Walsall, and thought I’d feature the bin calendar again for those that seem concerned about when the guys in orange will come and collect their rubbish.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Aldridge, bin collections, Bins, Brownhills, Christmas, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, household waste, information, Leaflet, Local politics, new, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, schedule, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
For the want of timber
Last week I featured an article by local history Rapscallion Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler about a text, available for free via Google Books called ‘Black Diamonds or the Gospel in a Colliery District’ written around 1860 by mystery author HHB.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1889, Andy, Black Diamonds; or The Gospel in a Colliery District, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CCMHS, coal, Dennis, Ellen, Foster and Co, Google Books, Gravestone, Headstone, HHB, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Lloyds, local blogs, Local History, mining, Pedro, Peter Cutler, pits, Rev J.B. Owen, St James, Staffordshire, Things to do, Thomas, tragedy, Walsall, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Geared up for Christmas
I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers, contributors, commenters and supporters of the Brownhills Blog and it’s associated side projects a very merry Christmas, and a healthy, happy, prosperous and peaceful 2015.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Greetings, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
10 Comments
Diamonds and dust
This is an important one, and I think there may well be more to follow, as top local history wonk Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler is not one to let sleeping dogs – or local history matters that are niggling him – lie.
Posted in Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Black Diamonds; or The Gospel in a Colliery District, Black Diamonds; the Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Catherine Bailey, CCMHS, coal, Foster and Co, Google Books, HHB, Lichfield, Lloyds, local blogs, Local History, mining, Pedro, Peter Cutler, pits, Rev J.B. Owen, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Well, THAT escalated quickly…
It seems my post of a couple of days ago about the curious selection delays and apparent favour of outside candidates for the next Consertive prospective parliamentary candidate for Aldridge-Brownhills yesterday caught the attention of Tory Pravda ConservativeHome.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 2015, Aldridge Brownhills, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, Brownhills, ConservativeHome, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, New Photos, Politics, PPC, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
The state that we are in
I’m pleased to note that despite the celebratory tones of a report in the Express & Star a couple of weeks ago, Walsall Council are reinforcing the hard line taken on the owners of the derelict eyesore in the middle of Brownhills, Ravens Court, with a strongly worded press release issued a couple of days ago.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
7 Comments
What’s the Tory?
Last week I pointed out that there was to be a selection meeting at Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association last Saturday (13th December 2014) to pick the replacement Tory candidate for Parliament in 2015, following the standing down of Richard Shepherd, who’s retiring from his 36 year tenure at the next general election.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 2015, Aldridge Brownhills, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, Brownhills, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, New Photos, Politics, PPC, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Brownhills Christmas market come on down!
Don’t forget that today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday 13-14th December 2014) – Brownhills will be hosting it’s first ever two-day Christmas market, with lots of other attractions for all the family from young to old.
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Image supplied to David Evans by Vickie Heydon-Matterface[/caption] Continue reading
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
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Brownhills Christmas market – this weekend!
Don’t forget that this weekend – Saturday and Sunday 13-14th December 2014 – Brownhills will be hosting it’s first ever two-day Christmas market, with lots of other attractions for all the family from young to old.
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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
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They know what’s good for us
This post will probably raise a few eyebrows, but I’d just like to draw the attention of readers who live in the Aldridge-Brownhills constituency to the fact that the person very likely to be their next MP is currently being selected by the local Conservative Party as Tory prospective parliamentary candidate for the 2015 general election.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 2015, Aldridge Brownhills, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, Brownhills, Events, General Election, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Marco Longhi, New Photos, Politics, PPC, Richard Shepherd, Selection, shortlist, Silly, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Magic beans
Well, it seems congratulations are in order – Steve Craddock, UKIP councillor for Brownhills and the man whose holiday was more important than political control of a borough governing 269,000 people – has apparently brought us the bacon. Or it … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Sandhills quarry consultation – get your objection in quickly
Heads up folks – here’s one I overlooked, but there’s still time to act as responses to the Sandhills Quarry inclusion in the Staffordshire New Minerals Local Plan closes on Friday 5th December 2014 – but it’s easy to respond online, and you can do it right now.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, Brownhills, County Council, expansion, extraction, Hays, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Local politics, mineral, Minerals Local Plan, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
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Just William
The interesting history of William Roberts – the father of modern Brownhills – continues, and this time, Peter ‘pedro’ Cutler has taken issue with some other, intersecting local history, and just when exactly William Roberts came to Brownhills as a lad, and where he lived when his family moved here.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged brewer, Brewery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Coppice, Farm, Gerald Reece, JP, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Marklew, Pedro, Peter Cutler, philanthropist, Pubs, q, Staffordshire, Station Hotel, The Coppice, The Old Tommy Shop, Things to do, Tommy Shop, William ROberts
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Walsall Wood FC v Causeway United FC away match this afternoon!
November 22nd 2014, Walsall Wood v Causeway United away at The Grove, Old Hawne Road – get down there for some great local football.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 22 November, away, Causeway United, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Halesowen, Lichfield, match on, Old Hawne Lane, Saturday, soccer, The Grove, Things to do, Town, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Brownhills Christmas market: it’s on – and an appeal for help!
Well, it’s going ahead – despite the negativity and naysayers, there are sufficient stalls now signed up to make the planned Christmas Market in Brownhills this year a reality. The organisers still have spaces for this two-day extravaganza, so if you’d like to join in the fun, get your application in sharpish!
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
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Council consultation event in Brownhills today!
Sorry this is late, I was working on something else last night, but today, Tuesday 18th November 2014 from 10am-12noon, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event in Brownhills Library at The Parkview Centre in Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, have your say, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Such was his devotion
Back to William Roberts, then – railway plate layer, ganger, publican, entrepreneur, civic stalwart, JP and philanthropist – a very rare man in his time, he appears to have been generous, considerate, imbued with a real sense of social justice, and was undoubtedly a sharp-dealing rogue too.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged brewer, Brewery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Gerald Reece, JP, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Pedro, Peter Cutler, philanthropist, Pubs, q, Staffordshire, Station Hotel, Things to do, William ROberts
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Trouble brewing?
There’s something I’ve been needing to get off my chest for a good while, and it won’t go away – however, recent finds and articles on the blog have brought it to the fore in my mind, and this is as good a juncture as any to brooch the subject: William Roberts is not recognised enough in our collective history.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged brewer, Brewery, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, JP, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Pedro, Peter Cutler, philanthropist, Pubs, Staffordshire, Station Hotel, Things to do, William ROberts
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