#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
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Book of the MoonFionn Regan17 hours ago
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Category Archives: It makes me mad!
Walsall Wood FC v Westfields FC: Away match today!
February 8th 2014, Walsall Wood v Westfields away at allpay.park, Hereford – get down there if you can 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 1st March, 2014, allpay, away, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Hereford, Lichfield, match on, Park, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Town, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Westfields
1 Comment
A quick note about advertising
When I stated this blog way back in May, 2009 I did so with the firm belief that I would never attempt to make money from it, or carry paid advertising.
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Posted in Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged ad free, ads, advertisments, advertorial, adverts, Blogging, integrity, Jason Sheldon, Junction 10, removal, reputation, spam, Wordpress
9 Comments
Brownhills School: Express & Star catches up
Just a quick note to point out that the Express & Star have finally got around to covering the Brownhills School community facilities withdrawal story, with a few extra details.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, 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
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, club, community, Doug Birch, Express & Star, facilities, football, governors, Head, Headmistress, Helen Keenan, lessons, Letter, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, Report, School, Silly, soccer, swimming, trust, Walsall Advertiser, withdrawal
3 Comments
Brownhills School: News of community facilities withdrawal spreads
Recently, as many readers will be aware, I covered the shocking story of how Brownhills School – formerly Brownhills Community School – has elected to stop all community access to its facilities, resulting in a large degree of disquiet in the town.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, 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
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, club, community, Doug Birch, facilities, football, governors, Head, Headmistress, Helen Keenan, lessons, Letter, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, Report, School, Silly, soccer, swimming, trust, Walsall Advertiser, withdrawal
24 Comments
Burglary in Shire Oak – be on your guard
The ever useful Shire Oak group on Facebook has warned again of an unpleasant and worrying house burglary in Shire Oak – I can’t help thinking these incidents seem to be on the rise of late.
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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 bogus officials, break in, Brownhills, Burglary, Car Crime, crime, distraction, Events, Facebook, intruder, Lichfield, local blogs, Police, public safety, Scam, Shire Oak, Simmonds Way, Stonnall, tax rebate scam, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
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Accentuate the positive
It’s good to see that local cyclist, railwayman and blogger Aiden McHaffie has recently had some success in bringing to resolution a case of bad HGV driving, as recorded in a bike cam YouTube video.
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Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Accident, Aiden McHaffie, bike, Cam, Company, complaint, cycle safety, cyclesafe, cycling, Facebook, injustice, Linda Mason, local blogs, police failure, positive, West Midlands Police, Youtube
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Express & Star covers Terrace Restaurant closure
I note today that the good old Express & Star have covered the closure of The Terrace restaurant in Brownhills that shocked so many last week – in an article unusually more detailed online than in the print edition, the paper reveals folks out of pocket with vouchers and others with prior bookings that are now obviously cancelled. A sad state of affairs indeed.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged @tapdiva, A5, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, ceased trading, Closed, Closure, email, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Hoofbeats, Lichfield, liquidator, Local History, locla paper, no longer trading, Petrol & Pantry, press, Pubs, Report, Restaurant, shut, shut down, Terrace, Twitter, Watling Street
1 Comment
The Terrace Restaurant closes down
Sad news – it appears that popular and longstanding Brownhills restaurant The Terrace has closed – I’m sure this will come as a shock to customers past and present.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged @tapdiva, A5, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, ceased trading, Closed, Closure, email, Events, Facebook, Hoofbeats, Lichfield, liquidator, Local History, no longer trading, Petrol & Pantry, Pubs, Restaurant, shut, shut down, Terrace, Twitter, Watling Street
43 Comments
Be vigilant: Nasty burglary in Brownhills last Sunday
Worrying news reaches me from Howdles Lane, Brownhills, up on the A5 – Karen Higgins has dropped me a line to say her home was burgled in the early hours of Sunday Morning, 9th Feruary 2014.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2014, 9th February, break in, Brownhills, Burglary, dog, early hours, Events, Howdles, hurt, Karen Higgins, Lane, laptop, Marley, Police, Stolen, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
9 Comments
Walsall Wood FC v Causeway United FC – a respetable draw
Yesterday, to great relief, Walsall Wood FC finally got their first football match of 2014, at The Grove, against Causeway United – the Woodmen dodged the weather and held the Halesowen lads to a respectable 2-2 draw.
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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 2-2, 8th February 2014, away, Bill Shaw, Causeway United, draw, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Halesowen, Lichfield, match on, match report, miracle, Old Hawne Lane, Saturday, soccer, The Growve, Things to do, Town, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Walsall Wood FC v Causeway United FC: Away match is on!
February 8th 2014, Walsall Wood v Causeway United away at The Grove, Old Hawne Road is ON following a pitch inspection – 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 8th February 2014, away, Causeway United, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Halesowen, Lichfield, match on, miracle, Old Hawne Lane, Saturday, soccer, The Growve, Things to do, Town, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
1 Comment
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
Something cheesy for Christmas
I’ll keep this brief, as I know there are folk in Short Heath suffering in quiet, restrained dignity as they haven’t had their Liberal Democrat Focus news sheets this week due to the inclement weather – please spare a thought for those less fortunate souls this Christmas.
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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
6 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
Changes to local bin collections this week!
This is a headsup for everyone in the local area – this week, some refuse bin collection days change hereabouts – a full calendar leaflet can be downloaded from Walsall Council’s website, but here’s how it works for local readers.
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 Aldridge, Bins, Brownhills, change, Christmas, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, Facebook, Friday, household waste, information, Local politics, Monday, Politics, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, Shire Oak, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Fist of Glory, fists of rage
I see the genius of SalmonCorporation has been at work again – this film is an uncomfortable piece of genius that needs to be spread far and wide, like it’s precursor ‘Walsall: Everything a pound’.
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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 History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged animation, £1, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Everything a pound, Fist of Glory, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, SalmonCorporation, short, Silly, Stuart Williams, Tesco, Tesco Development, Twitter, Vandalism, video, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Youtube
3 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
Carers’ Rights event at Brownhills and Pelsall this Friday
Hey, this is really important. As many readers will know, the issues surrounding carers and their support is a subject dear to my heart, and in these particularly difficult times it’s really vital that anyone who is a carer, or who may be a carer’s friend or relative makes sure that all the help available is understood and claimed.
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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 2013, 29th November, Aldridge, benefits, Brownhills, Carers, Clayhanger, entre, event, Events, Library, Lichfield, Parkview, reminiscence pod, respite care, rights, Shire Oak, Social Care, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Coucil, Walsall Council, week
1 Comment
Thefts from local vehicles: West Midlands Police issue statement
Following the recent car break-in at Shire Oak Close, I asked West Midlands Police for a statement – communications officer Nicky Biddlestone was good enough to supply one, and I present it here
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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 break in, Brownhills, Burglary, Car burglary, Car Crime, crime, Events, Facebook, intruder, local blogs, Nicky Biddlestone, Police, public safety, Shire Oak, Statement, Twitter, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
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Another car break-in at Shire Oak: take care folks
Oh dear – it seems the there’s been another theft from a car up at Shire Oak Close, opposite the Shire Oak Pub – Debbie Etches from the Shire Oak group on Facebook posted the following yesterday (Thursday, 21st November 2013)
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 break in, Brownhills, Burglary, Car burglary, Car Crime, crime, Debbie Etches, Events, Facebook, intruder, local blogs, Police, public safety, Shire Oak, Twitter, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
1 Comment
School’s out
I think this might be controversial – from recent activity at the site, it seems like the former St. John’s School, in Lichfield Road Walsall Wood, may be about to be demolished, and it’s site possibly redeveloped, together with the derelict bungalow next door.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 12 housed, 4th November 2012, 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
13 Comments
Consultation event in Brownhills this afternoon!
Don’t forget that this Thursday, from 2-4pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at The Parkview Centre, Brownhills – everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.
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 2013, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Cannock Chase Messines Model on Countryfile
The first world war model of Messines, it’s history and recent archeological dig have been the talk of Staffordshire for a while, and tonight formed the basis for a great article on the BBC program Countryfile.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Archeology, BBC, Brocton Field, Cannock Chase, Chase Trails, clip, country file, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Dig, disappointing, Film, Lichfield, Local History, Messines, Model archeology, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, World War 1, WW1 Great war
6 Comments
The darkness of those days
Mindful of the day and occasion, regular contributor and blog stalwart Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler wrote to me with an interesting couple of things to check out relating to the Second World War and Birmingham – I wasn’t aware of either, and they’ve been eye-openers, to be quite honest. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged air raid., All the days of my life, Aston, Birmingham, Blitz, Brian David Williams, Brownhills local history, Events, Kynoch, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Second World War, Things to do, war, Witton
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War is hell
This post is a modification of one I made last year – I traditionally post something about Remembrance every year, and it’s increasingly hard to say anything new, as my view doesn’t change on this, the most important day in our national recognition, recollection and reconciliation of our part in the world’s conflicts.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bill Caddick, Brownhills local history, Jack Judge, June Tabor, Local History, Remembrance, Royal British Legion, Sunday, Tipperary
3 Comments
Severe car crash at Walsall Civic Centre
There’s been an unfortunate RTA at Walsall Council, and it deserves as wide exposure as possible.
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Posted in Bad Science, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 50000, Broadway centre, Car, Cheap tat, credibility, cuts, Express & Star, justification, limousine, Local politics, Manor Youth Club, Mayor, Mike Bird, redundancies, Silly, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
15 Comments
Consultation event in Walsalll Wood this evening
Don’t forget that this evening, from 4-6pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at Oak Park, Walsall Wood from 4-6pm.
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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 2013, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, Oak Park, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
A fit of Peake?
I had this one in a couple of days ago from Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler, who continues his dogged research into local mining history, and the relationship between those above ground and those whose labours they depended upon beneath them.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, 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, Shared memories
Tagged 1933, Accident, Amalgamation, baths, Cannock, Captain, collieries, colliery, Harrison, Institute of Mining Engineers, Lichfield Mercury, Overwind protection, Peake, Pedro, Peter Cutler, pinhead, Rawnsley, Rugeley, T.V., The Grange, wimblebury
21 Comments
Lane’s end
In the circles of my cycling mates, I’m fairly well known for my forthright and controversial vies on cycle facilities – bike lanes, shared use paths, coloured bits of tarmac etc – that generally non-cycling traffic engineers create to try to make junctions easier for us on two wheels.
Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Advance Stop Line, ASL, Beyond the Kerb, Bez, Bikeability, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, Cyclecraft, cycling, cycling facilities, cyle safety, danger, Darlaston, Lichfield, Lichwheeld, Local politics, Lorries, New Photos, planning, Politics, Silly, Things to do, Tipping out the paint, Vehicular cycling
1 Comment
Urgent appeal – Brownhills camera theft – can you help?
On Monday, 30th September 2013 a walk-in theft occurred at Brownhills Activity centre in Brownhills – that’s the old Annexe, or Central Boys School, the home of Brownhills Community Association.
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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 activities centre, Annexe, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Burglary, Camera, Cannon, crime, EOS 7d, Events, intruder, local blogs, PC Richard Stanley, PC Simon Bytheway, Police, public safety, sneak thief, Theft, Twitter, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
1 Comment
Not worth the paper it’s written on
The saga of Aldridge Manor and the winding down of youth services in Walsall is still rumbling on, and the issue is still being pursued by doughty campaigner Linda Mason – in a post on her blog a few days ago Lind detailed a recent letter she has received from Walsall Council which appears to be in almost total denial of the facts.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
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Staffordshire Hoard talk at Chasewater Innovation Centre tonight
hoard Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, Burntwood, campaign, Chasewater, Hammerwich, Hoard trail, information, Local History, Local politics, memorial, monument, Ogley Hay, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Statue, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
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The gold hoard to arrive in Brownhills at last…
My apologies to top fellow and friend of the blog David Hodgkinson, as quite frankly, I forgot this one, and it’s quite important for Staffordshire Hoard fans and local historians alike.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, Burntwood, campaign, Chase Heritage Group, Chasewater, David Hogkinson, Hammerwich, Hoard trail, information, Lichfield Live, Local History, Local politics, memorial, monument, Ogley Hay, Peter Walker, Robert Carr, SCAMP, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Statue, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
3 Comments
A school united in war and in peace
Earlier in the year, I started a series of posts containing log book entries for St John’s School, Walsall Wood – I now complete the series with the time period from the 1912 merger to 1945, when the records end.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged boys school, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Derelict, Education, Local History, Maddaver, Maddever, New Photos, Records, School, Shire Oak, St Johns, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
26 Comments
Nailed it
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1880, a, AJP Photography, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Local History, Maker, Nail, Nailer, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Shop, Staffordshire, The Graphic, Tony Parsons, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Women
10 Comments
The cruel Manor of their deception
I’d like to flag up a very angry post Lind Mason has written about the situation with Walsall Council’s Youth Service and the vexed question of Aldridge Manor – the Councillors may have wandered away now that the election is over, the Council Officers may be trying to fob us off, but neither I nor Linda have forgotten the issue of Aldridge Manor and the winding down of youth services in Walsall.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
8 Comments
The dirty old town I love
I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I love the Black Country with all my heart – this dirty, post-industrial powerhouse of a place has been prominent throughout my life, although, technically, I live outside it. 
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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 birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Derelict, FH Lloyd, GKN, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Silly, Staffordshire, Tony Martin, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wilkings and Mitchell
43 Comments
The ever-changing skyline
I’ve had some fantastic contact recently with reader Wyrleyrob, who’s helped on a number of historical issues- he’s interested in the Birchills foundry/power station history, and has spoken to his friend, great local historian Jack Haddock – together, they’ve come up with some fine images which I can share.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged Basin, Birchills, Birchills Foundry, Boats, Canal, Church Hill, Demolition, Derelict, Glue Works, Jack Haddock, Local History, New Photos, power station, Redevelopment, Reedswood, Reedswood power station, Stack, tower, Walsall, Wyrleyrob
9 Comments
Choose wisely
Today, there is a council by-election in the ward of Aldridge Central & South, brought about by the sad passing of longstanding councillor Tom Ansell – this election will be interesting in a number of ways – although usually a safe Tory seat, it will be intriguing to see how the other parties fair – particularly UKIP and the Labour.
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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 Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge Central and South, Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Redevelopment, Silly, sold, Tom Ansell, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Youth Club
14 Comments
House burgled, car stolen in Shire Oak
There’s been another house burglary at Shire Oak in the last few days – Debbie Etches from the Shire Oak group on Facebook posted the following yesterday (Monday, 5th August 2013):
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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 Audi, break in, Brownhills, Burglary, Car burglary, Car Crime, Car Theft, crime, Debbie Etches, Events, Facebook, intruder, local blogs, PC Simon Bytheway, Police, public safety, Rob May, Shire Oak, Stonnall, Sunday 4th August 2013, Twitter, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
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Driven up the pole
Look, you lot, this isn’t big and it isn’t clever – this morning, I spotted the following tweet in my timeline, from PC Simon Bytheway, the local Neighbourhood Police Officer for Brownhills, who operates out of Brownhills Police Station, opposite the Hussey Arms…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged auto despair Nicky Biddlestone, Brownhills, Brownhills Police Station, Clayhanger, Flag, flagpole, Lichfield, PC, Police, Shire Oak, Silly, Simon Bytheway, Stolen, Theft, traffic police, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Wood
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Out of Focus
The old Focus DIY store on Northgate, just between Aldridge and Walsall Wood continues to be a magnet for flytipping, vandalism and other antisocial behaviour – the site has been vacant since the closure of the DIY chain a couple of years ago, and has subsequently just been left to rot.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Clive Roberts, Derelict, DIY, Do it all, dumping, flytipping, Focus, Great Mills, illegal, Local History, New Photos, Northgate, oil, Pòl MacDhòmhnaill, Redevelopment, Refuse, tipping, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Stolen caravan alert!
Today, I had my attention drawn to a very sad theft appeal on Twitter – I’m always ready to post appeals of this kind, so please keep an eye out. Dave, the owner, must be heartbroken.
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Posted in Environment, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2005, @theoadmeister, Ace Celebration 570, appeal, Burntwood, caravan, Dave Duke, Events, fully loaded, Lichfield, nicked, Police, Springhill Road, Staffordshire, Stolen, Theft, Twitter, Vandalism
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An unearned income
It is with great pleasure that I can now continue the story of the slum clearance of Ogley Square in 1935, thanks to the efforts of an anonymous reader and top friend of the blog Richard Burnell.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1883, 1:2500, bad housing, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Urban District Council, clearance, Dr. Bradford, George Bradford, Hill sisters, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Norman Waine, Ogley Hay, Ogley Square, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Peter Cutler, Richard Burnell, Slum clearance, snaitationG, Staffordshire, Things to do, UDC, Urban District Council
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In a cursory Manor
Just a quick note to flag up a wonderful post that passed by in a flurry of other stuff late last week. The Councillors may be trying to forget it, Council Officers may be trying to forget they promised another … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
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My Fair Lady
This is a wonderful article from local history rapscallion Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler which I think readers will really, really enjoy. Peter has developed a reputation hereabouts for being something of the iconoclast; formerly he has not pulled punches in his … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills local history, Chasewater, coal, Coppice, Hanbury, Heath Hayes, Hussey, local blogs, Local History, mining, Panoramio, pit, Politics, Staffordshire, Things to do
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Loud, amplified grumbling
These days, I’ve come to realise that however old I get, this town will never cease to amaze me – just when you think you’ve seen it all, something rolls up, pokes you in the belly and blows raspberries at you.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Casual Agenda, David Young, entertainment, Events, Facebook, Festival, free, fun, gig, help, James Bates, Leaflet, Letter, Lichfield, live music, Livewire, Local, local blogs, Local History, Loud amplified music, music, New Photos, Parking, Paul Green, planning, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, sponsor, support, The Arkhamists, The Assist, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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Walsall Mosque incident: Authorities appeal for information
FAITH LEADERS, police and council officials have come together to reassure local people following the discovery of a suspicious item at a mosque in Walsall yesterday.
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Reality check. Can we all grow up a bit please?
I see today, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership is pushing their Summer Festival in the town by sharing links on Facebook to an oddly-formatted document scan of their promo leaflet, which seems pretty much Facebook only.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 22 June, 23 June, Brownhills, Brownhills anal Festival, Brownhills Local Committee, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills Town Festival, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, Silly, The YamYam, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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That went well. Not.
The saga of Aldridge Manor, Youth Services in Aldridge and the wider Walsall Borough rumbles on, there was a public meeting last Thursday, and it didn’t go at all well for Walsall Council who had hastily called it only a short time before as a damage limitation exercise…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Independent, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pete Smith, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
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