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Category Archives: Just plain daft
Pictures from Brownhills Music Festival 2013
Well, the day came and despite very poor weather and a wind that would strip the paint from a Vauxhall, at the Brownhills Music Festival the music was great, the beer was fine and everyone seemed to have a good time.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Casual Agenda, David Young, entertainment, Events, Facebook, Festival, free, fun, gig, help, James Bates, Lichfield, live music, Livewire, Local, local blogs, Local History, music, New Photos, Paul Green, planning, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, sponsor, support, The Arkhamists, The Assist, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
13 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
Coming down from above
Yesterday, on a borrowed mountain bike I headed out to Brocton Fied on Cannock Chase, and starting near the Glacial Boulder and trig point, I threw myself and the bike down into Sherbrook Valley, then followed the stream down to Stepping Stones.
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged bike, Brocton Field, Cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forest, GoPro, Mountain Bike, ride, Sherbrook Valley, Staffordshire, Things to do, Tourist video, Visit Birmingham, Wildlife
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Brownhills Big Saturday!
Hey – if you’re looking out for stuff to do today (Saturday, 10th August 2013), look no further than Brownhills Activity Centre (The old Central Boy’s School, or Annex to my generation) and Holland Park, opposite.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
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It’s going to be a knockout weekend
Hey – if you’re looking out for stuff to do this weekend, look no further than Brownhills Activity Centre (The old Central Boy’s School, or Annex to my generation) and Holland Park this Saturday.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
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Pelsall Summer Fun Day Today!
I know many local folk were disappointed when the Holland Park Fun Day scheduled for last Wednesday was cancelled due to the inclement weather – well, there’s some good news in that Pelsall is holding the same event today.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 6th August 2013, Brownhills, Common, Common people, community games, Events, fun, fun day, kids fun day, Pelsall, principality, stuff to do kids events, summer holiday activities, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Pippin is back home!
Great news from Stevie Ansell: Pippin the grey mare is back home, safe and well.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, clearance, Cycle rides, Derelict, Engine Lane, field, found, grey, happy ending, Lost, mare, New Photos, pippin, planning, pony, recovered, Redevelopment, Riding school, Stevie Ansell, Wildlife
5 Comments
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
27 Comments
It’s a knockout!
I’ve just become aware of this event scheduled to take place in Holland Park, Brownhills, on Saturday, 10th August 2013 – the flyer says entries have closed – but with 10 days to go, I’m sure they’ll probably fit your team in if you’re quick. Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
1 Comment
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
8 Comments
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
6 Comments
An urgent appeal… anyone know Keiron Barley?
This is an odd little appeal for local people – Yesterday, Birmingham Cyclist blog admin @brumcyclist asked me the following:
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged @brumcyclist, appeal, Beach, Birmingham Cyclist, Burntwood, Cycle rides, cycling, driving license, Keiron Barley, local blogs, Lost, Silly, Suffolk, Things to do, Twitter, urgent
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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
2 Comments
My Fair Lady
This is a wonderful article from local history rapscallion Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler which I think readers will really, really enjoy. Peter has developed a reputation hereabouts for being something of the iconoclast; formerly he has not pulled punches in his … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills local history, Chasewater, coal, Coppice, Hanbury, Heath Hayes, Hussey, local blogs, Local History, mining, Panoramio, pit, Politics, Staffordshire, Things to do
41 Comments
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
25 Comments
Tearing up the forest
Here’s a video I’m posting specifically for Rob Floders, who I know enjoys my cycle videos – Rob’s having a really tough time at the moment, and although I know a daft video can’t make anything better, I hope it makes him smile just a little.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Abraham's Valley, bike, Cam, Cannock Chase, Corner, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, forest, GoPro, Mountain Bike, New Blood, Peter Gabriel, ride, Rifle Range, Robert Floders, So, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Your Eyes
3 Comments
Mountain excitement
I received this important message in this evening from Nicole Quinn, one of the great local folk at Wilkinson, in Brownhills – it seems that continuing a series of great community activities, some of the staff are undertaking a rather arduous walk.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged Brownhills, Cancer Research UK, charity, climb, Events, fundraising, hike, Nicole Quinn, Snowdonia, sponsor, Stores, team, Things to do, Twitter, walk, Wilkinson
5 Comments
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
2 Comments
Exterminate! Daleks to invade Aldridge
Martin Fisher contacted me from the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Aldridge recently, to let me know about their latest event, taking place this Sunday which looks set to be a must for Sci-Fi fans, Doctor Who aficionados and anyone else into the weird and wonderful.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, 23rd June, Aldridge, Aston Manor, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, Chasewater, Dalek, Doctor Who, event, Events, Facebook, Fancy Dress, Invasion, Local History, Martin Fisher, Meet the Museum, open day, planning, Sci-fi, Shenstone Drive, Transport Museum, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
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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Bicycles. Always a problem.
A great spot here from Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler regarding a report in the Lichfield Mercury of Friday, 16th August 1935.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged bicycles, Bradbury, Brownhills, Brownhills Chamber of Trade, Brownhills local history, co-op, Co-operative, Conduit Colliery, Cycle rides, cycling, Emery, Humphries, jobless, Labour Exchange, land, Local History, Local politics, Norton Canes, purchase, sale, Sewage Farm, sewerage, Silly, Staffordshire, Subsidence, unemployed
2 Comments
Brownhills – leading the way in innovative greetings
Spooted in the Brownhills search on Twitter, posted by @georgeyB95, comedy signage at Downes Newsagent, Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Cheap tat, Downes, Events, farmers day, fart, fathers day, Georgeyb95, High Street, New Photos, Newsagent, notices, sign, Signs, Silly, Spelling, Twitter
5 Comments
In a Manor to which they are unaccustomed
There has been some interesting fallout following the furore kicked up over the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and dismantling of wider youth service throughout Walsall, and their replacement by some frankly bizarre, not yet thought through system.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, 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, Facebook, Green Belt, Independent, John Morris, Laboru, Lane's Farm, 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
40 Comments
Walsall Labour Group issue statement on Youth Services
I was heartened to note that earlier today, Walsall Labour Group had issued an unusually strong statement on the future of Walsall Council’s Youth Services and Aldridge Manor youth club, discussed here so much lately.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Official, Politics, Pop-up, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Silly, sold, Statement, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
3 Comments
Not distracted at all
There has been a lot of coverage of the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and the wider youth service throughout Walsall, and its replacement by some not yet thought through system involving derelict properties and converted vans.
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, 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, Facebook, Green Belt, Independent, John Morris, Laboru, Lane's Farm, 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
21 Comments
Not fit to live with pigs
Reader, friend of the blog and top local historian Clive Roberts has written to me with some horrid photos of flytipping at the old Focus DIY store on Northgate, just between Aldridge and Walsall Wood – the site has been vacant since the closure of the outlet a couple of years ago, and has subsequently been a target for vandalism, antisocial behaviour and flytipping.
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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, Redevelopment, Refuse, tipping, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Aldridge Manor Youth Club: Public meeting arranged
I note that Walsall Council have organised a very short notice public meeting about the closure and sale of Aldridge Manor Youth Club.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, 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
3 Comments
Ferrie cross the Ogley
Tony Wynn – a man who’s previously helped with matters relating to the Ralph Ferrie story here on the Brownhills Blog – sent me the above, wonderful image today, with a covering note.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 1962, Amy, Barge, Brownhills Youth Club, Charles, Charlie, Ferrie, naming, Narrowboat, Ogley Junction, pleasureboat, Ralph, rocket, rocket science, Tony Wynn, University, unveiling, Walsall Observer
13 Comments
Acid burns
Today, a shocking and frightening story comes to me from a good friend in Chuckery, Walsall – ten 25 litre Hydrochloric acid drums, dumped on Chuckery Village Green, a space on which kids play on days like today.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Acid, Barrel, burns, Charlotte Street, Children, Chuckery, Container, Drum, dump, Environmental Health, Events, flytipping, Hydrochloric, New Photos, Savi, Streetpride, Things to do, toxic, Vandalism, village Green, Walhouse Road, Walsall, Walsall Council, Waste
3 Comments
Winding Lanes
Andy Dennis writes clearly and articulately of the planning history of the Lanes Farm/Sandhills site in light of current angst over a mooted further development – I’m still of the opinion that we’re being trolled for other reasons, but Andy raises some excellent points.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, 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, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall 2026, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
20 Comments
A long storey
This is something I’d like to expand on for a bit of summer picture fun, if any readers are up for it – since I featured Steve Wilcox’s remarkable Walsall panorama last week, and Rose Burnell’s great Chasewater image, I’m looking for odd views, panoramas or shots from on high of Brownhills or the wider area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Domesday project, Events, Humphries House Landscape, JH Poole, Local History, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Phil Griffin, photos, Pubs, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Driven to distraction
While the local Councillors have held a public meeting and been quite vocal about the phantom prospect of development in the local greenbelt, they haven’t been talking at all about the fact that Walsall Council is selling off Aldridge Manor Youth Club building and intends to replace the facility with a vague, unfeasible and daft ‘Pop-up’ travelling youth service.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
11 Comments
You can never go back
The whole Brownhills-Tesco thing has left me interested in the breadth and spread of local opinion, in a way I don’t normally see it. I’m interested in theories people have, their perceptions, and what they see the future to be. … Continue reading
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 History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
28 Comments
Sharp image
After a week of extolling readers to understand the value of local press and quality journalism, yesterday the Express & Star’s Walsall edition proved the value of good local journalism, as exhibited by dedicated, conscientious reporters.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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
Tagged AB Sustain, Cheap tat, Errors, Express & Star, Facebook, Gareth Illmann-Walker, Harper Adams, image, journalism, Labour, local blogs, Local politics, mistakes, New Photos, Politics, search, Silly, Tim Oliver, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Golden hours
Busy most of the day, I managed to slip out late afternoon for a ride – it was glorious -Chasewater was busy, yet there were deer on the dam. – the countryside was alive, and bursting into leaf and bloom everywhere I looked[caption id="attachment_13982" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Wall church itself is impressive and unusual in style[/caption]
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bluebell, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Church, Churchyard, Cycle rides, cycling, Hammerwich, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Red deer, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wall, Wildlife
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Farming controversy
I notice that over the past few weeks some outrage seems to be abroad over supposed plans to build a housing estate or industrial park, near Shire Oak on Lanes Farm, between the farmhouse at Sandhills and the Chester Road; broadly the site of the old Brawn’s Wood.
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 media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Anthony Harris, application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Catshill, Conservative, Consultation, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, estate, Events, Facebook, Home Farm, housing, In Touch, industrial, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Flower, New Photos, Panoramio, Pete Sears, planning, Planning 2026, Politics, Redevelopment, SAD, Shire Oak, Silly, St Modwen, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
19 Comments
Stuck in there real good, that is…
Some weeks ago I raised the story of the football stuck in the decorative cross on the roof of St. Michael’s Church in Caldmore, Walsall – last weekend, twitter top bloke and all round good egg @BillytheBez answered my plea and took a couple of pictures, confirming the decades-old ball was still lodged firmly where only birds and steeplejacks dare.
Posted in Bad Science, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Bath Road, Billythebez, Black Country Bugle, Cladmor, cross, dafy, Derelict, Events, football, Howmuch, legend, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, roof, Silly, St Michaels Street, St. Michaels, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall
3 Comments
Brownhills Common: Scrutiny meeting tonight!
I received a press release from Walsall Council, stating that following the brouhaha over Brownhills Common and the subsequent petition, there is to be a special scrutiny meeting at the Council House on this very matter, tonight Monday, 13th May 2013, at 6pm.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 13th, 2013, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, Leaflet, local blogs, Local History, Management, May, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
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Ford perfect
Just in case last weekend actually turns out to be summer for 2013, I made one final ride video from last weekend, this one from the bank holiday Monday. This is a video I’ve been meaning to make for a … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged bike, Black, Bourne, brook, Cam, Canwell, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Film, Ford, GoPro, Hints, Lichfield, Local History, Rookery, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
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That sinking feeling
I’m sure most of us have heard the tale from tour guides, teachers or those ‘in the know’ that the famous – some would say infamous – statue of Captain Smith in Beacon Park, Lichfield was originally made for Smith’s hometown, Hanley, in the Potteries, but was refused in shame and Lichfield took it instead.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Beacon park, Captain Smith, Cutler, David Evans, Events, Hanley, legend, Licfield District Council, Lichfield, lLore, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, myth, New Photos, Pedro, Peter, Plaque, Potteries, refusal, Refuse, Silly, Staffordshire, Statue, Stephanie Barzewski, Things to do, Titanic, Twitter
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Brownhills Common: Scrutiny meeting next Monday
I received a press release from Walsall Council today, stating that following the brouhaha over Brownhills Common and the subsequent petition, there is to be a special scrutiny meeting at the Council House on this very matter, next Monday, 13th May 2013, at 6pm.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 13th, 2013, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, Leaflet, local blogs, Local History, Management, May, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
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What and where?
Here’s a good question from young David Evans, who clocked this interesting thing yesterday while out and about, and wonders if anyone knows what it is, what purpose it serves?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, David Evans, Mystery, New Photos, puzzle, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Letting off steam
I was saddened to receive yesterday from Chasewater Transport Show organiser Helen Borton, a copy of a mail she’s sent to Chasewater Park management, detailing some conflict within the park community over this popular free show – it doesn’t make pleasant reading.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater car show, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, CHasewater Vintage & Classic Car Show, classic bikes, Classic cars, Conflict, Cycle rides, Events, Facebook, Helen Borton, John Smith, Letter, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, Military vehicle show, New Photos, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Steam engines, Vandalism, Vintage Cars, Wildlife
18 Comments
Ghosts on tape
Old mucker [Howmuch?], fresh from a morning rootling around the Chasewater Transport Show on Sunday, was inspired to go trawling for interesting Chasewater related historical footage on the internet when he got home.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1970, British Powerboat Grand Prix, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, culvert, Drain, Events, exploration, Go Kart, Howmuch, Local History, MrTechTalk, New Photos, old film, overflow, Phil55uk, Powerboat, Reservoir, Silly, speedboat, Staffordshire, Steveskitrip, Things to do
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Six decades on…
Following the contributions yesterday from Walsall Wood folk regarding the coronation parade in Cornation Road, Walsall Wood, reader and friend of the blog Peter Killops returned to the scene yesterday…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brookland Road, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, coronation, David Evans, Events, Local History, New Photos, Parade, Peter Killops, Road, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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Desperately seeking Sandra
Here’s an odd little one for Walsall Wood types.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1962, Brownhills local history, Collins, Events, Lcihfield, Lichfield, Local History, Lost Love, Mercury, New Photos, Palmer, Parcels, People, Phil, planning, Redevelopment, Sandra, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, United Carriers, Walsall Wood
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Eclectic landladies
Here’s an interesting quick one spotted in a recent addition to the archives Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler spotted this group photo in the Lichfield Mercury, of Friday, 7th November 1952.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1952, Ball, Brownhills, Brownhills and District Licensed Trade Association Ladies' Auxiliary, Brownhills local history, Dance, Dinner, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Staffordshire, Things to do
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The Kaleidoscope
Oh dear – that Young David Evans has come over a bit gooey and sentimental onus – could it be springtime, and a man’s fancy turning?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, 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, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, David Evans, Local History, Memory, Pubs, recollections, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
In the soup
Walsall Council, unwanted silver tableware and a disgraced, abusive US Army Colonel – Walsall hasn’t recently become mad, it’s always been a bit bonkers.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged Anglo American, barracks, Council, Court Marshall, David Evans, Freindship Week, General Kilian, GI, Jack Gieck, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, local blogs, Local History, Lorenzor, martial, Peter Cutler, scandal, Silly, Soup Tureen, Staffordshire, Tamworth Time Hikes, US Army on trial, US Troops, Walsall, WHittington, World War 2, WW2
2 Comments
Brownhills Common: please join the debate
I haven’t forgotten the issue of Brownhills Common and the heathland restoration works, and nor will I let it slip – but the voice of the experts deserves to be heard properly. land at Brownhills Common.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, Leaflet, local blogs, Local History, Management, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
11 Comments
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