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Category Archives: Just plain daft
Lichfield discovered – Holy Wells and Sacred Springs – on tonight!
Once again, the irrepressible Kate Cardigan from the Lichfield Lore contacts me to tell me that there’s yet another talk on tonight organised by her informal Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered. Tonight at 7:30pm, (9th February 2015), they have a wonderful free … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, 9th February, cardigan, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Holy, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Ross Parish, Sacred, Silly, Springs, St Marys, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Twitter, Wells
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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
Action stations
Thanks to Twitter cycling whizz and all round top guy @WolvesOnWheels who tipped me off last week, there’s a Facebook group that’s been featuring a lot of Brownhills, Walsall Wood and Pelsall railway photographs lately, posted by Si Swain.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railways, Brownhills West, brownhills West Station, Derelict, Disused Railways, DJ Norton, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Midland Railway, New Photos, Old maps, Pelsall, Si Swain, Staffordshire, Station, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Lichfield discovered – alphabetical Lichfield – on tonight!
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is kicking off 2015 in style with her informal and fun Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered – tonight at 7:30pm, (12th January 2015), they have a wonderful free talk at St Mary’s in the Lichfield Market Square based on an alphabetical trip around Lichfield by John Gallagher.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 12 January, 2015, Alphabetical Lichfield, cardigan, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, John Gallagher, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, St Marys, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Twitter
1 Comment
The Brownhills Darktown Poker Club… in 1881
Here’s a quick one from local history rapscallion Peter ‘pedro’ Cutler while I’m prepping some other stuff for the weekend – debauchery and cards in a Brownhills Working Men’s Club in 1881!
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Progressive Working Men's Club, Brownhills West, Cheap tat, Hednesford Road, Lichfield, Local History, Mercury, New Photos, Police, Pubs, Raid, Silly, Staffordshire
3 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
2015 New Year Quiz results
Well, this year’s quiz is complete, and we have a winner – the two year reigning champion is Tony Jakeman, who this year came first with a highly creditable 20 points, but team Jakeman did face a sustained challenge from Kate and Andy Dennis amongst others.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, 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 Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, prize, quiz, results, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood, winners
7 Comments
1095 days
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 1095 days, 2015, 3, anniversay, biking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, photography, riding, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, years
9 Comments
Tadah… it’s the 2015 New year quiz!
It’s been a long time in the making, but great fun – here it is, the Brownhills Blog New Year 2015 quiz – get stuck in and see if you can win!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, 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 Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, prize, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
254 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
Our back pages
There has been an extraordinary response to the old Brownhills Gazette issues I’ve been featuring on the blog, and testerday I featured issue 23, from August 1991 – so far I’ve run all issues in sequence, but sadly, issue 22 of July 1991 is missing from the collection, so I had to skip it.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, 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
Tagged 1991, archive, Baker Bond, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, David Evans, Fawlty, freesheet, Gazette, issue 22, July, Laburnum Cottage, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, missing, newspaper
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Music and movement
I have some great images coming of of Walsall Wood from the 1950s from local man John Genders, whom the young David vans has been chatting to about the village, schools and particularly the local Boys Brigade.
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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, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1952, Audrey Smith, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Events, gym, interesting architecture, Josie Bull, keep fit, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, PE, Rita Stokes, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stella Warsden, teachers, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Secondary
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Dropping off the edge
Here’s one for Trevor in Aus and all the folks who enjoy the ride cams. I’ve been meaning to do this one all week, and today’s postings fell victim to the festivities, so this is as good a chance as any, really.
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, Breretonhill, Cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Farewell, GoPro, green, Hill, Red Hill, ride, Rugeley, Staffordshire, Stoneywell, Things to do, Upper Longdon
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
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
The magic of Christmas
I have to congratulate the people who worked so hard on Brownhills Christmas Market – I went yesterday, and it was a joy to see Brownhills so busy once more – considering the majority involved were volunteers and on a tight budget, this was an excellent event and I thank you all for your hard work.
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 Council, Wildlife
Tagged 14th december 2014, 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Evens, Brownhills Christmas Windows, Christmas Fair, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Cradle Club, Craft Club, David Evans, Donkeys, Festivity, Ice Rink, Market, Nicky Rolls, photos, pictures, Ravens Court, Santa Special, Shop Local, Shop smart, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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City heights
Well, it’s that time of year again, and yesterday I hopped on the Midland Red went to Birmingham to visit the Christmas Market and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city at Christmas. I love Birmingham as readers will know, … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, 2014, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, Lichfield, markey, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
4 Comments
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.
[caption id="attachment_21595" align="alignleft" width="300"]
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
2 Comments
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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The folks who live on the hill
Long term reader and friend of the blog Ray Johnson sends me an email with a very, very simple enquiry, which I’m sure readers will be able to help with – can we get this misdelivered Christmas card to the right people? I suspect it may be from someone who hasn’t been here in a while.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Brownhills, card, Christmas, K Whitehouse, Lichfield, New Photos, Ray Johnson, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, 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
8 Comments
Happy talk
Yesterday, I received a wonderful email from David Evans, who did such a fine job of organising and hosting Gerald Reece’s talk on Brownhills last Friday evening at the Methodist Church in Silver Street, Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills a walk into history, Brownhills bypass, Brownhills local history, Canal, charity, Chasewater, Clayhanger, David Evans, Engine Lane, Events, Gerald Reece, historian, history, History Talk, Local History, Macmillan Cancer Support, mining, planning, Staffordshire, Things to do
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Lose, and you’re in the drink!
Here’s a rather wonderful, quick photo to get the grey matter going amongst the readership – yesterday, Godfrey ‘Oakparkrunner’ Hucker sent me the above excellent photo, sourced from Linda Robottom, of a Walsall Wood tug of war team.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1970's, Boatmans Rest, Brickies, Brickmakers Arms, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Car Park, Derelict, Gantry, Girder, Godfrey Hucker, Linda Robottom, Local History, New Photos, Oakparkrunner, Peter, photo, Pubs, Red Lion, Salters Road, Shire Oak, Silly, team, Tug of war, Walsall Wood
11 Comments
Howdles Lane convenience store saved!
Back at the beginning of October, I had a somewhat concerning enquiry from reader Dave about the Co-operative convenience store in the small precinct just off the A5 in Brownhills by Howdles Lane – reports were that the Co-op were closing it and the future for the store was uncertain.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2014, A5, Andy Dennis, Brownhills, close down, closing, co-op, convenience store, Events, Howdles Lane, Lichfield, McColls, new, Redevelopment, shut, Silly, taken over, Tamworth, Watling Street
3 Comments
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
1 Comment
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
4 Comments
More great local theatre this week!
Recently I note lots of people complaining on the internet and in local papers that Walsall has no theatre, and somebody really should do something about it – what’s annoying about this is Walsall has 3 theatres (even more if you count the small venues in schools) and even more theatre companies, performing some top notch shows, seemingly unknown to many.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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 20, 2014, 21, 22, Aldridge, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, amateur dramatics, Cannock, Events, Jess Christ Super Star, Lichfield, local blogs, Performance, Prince of Wales Theatre, Show, Theatre, Things to do, tickets, Twitter, Walsall Wood
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Local history events this week
Kate Cardigan Gomez from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is really going some with her local history group, Lichfield Discovered – in the next week they have two events, one of which is tonight, and on an appropriate Great War theme, with author Joss Musgrave Knibb.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 10th November, 15th December, 2014, Archeology, Book, Brewood, cells, Channock Chase, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, First Lines, First World War, Gaol, Great War, Guildhall, Hoard, Joss Musgrove Knibb, Kate Gomez, Library, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Messines, Model, New Photos, November 11th, Panoramio, Peter Pedro Cutler, poety, prison, Saturday, Staffordshire, Stephen Dean, Talk, Things to do, Twitter, WW1
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Urgent – Harris Hawk lost in Burntwood
I have no idea what to make of this – lost raptors are a new one for the blog, but never a dull moment – just has this report of a lost Harris Hawk in from Jim Mason of Burntwood:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, appeal, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Harris Hawk, Jim Mason, Lichfield, Lost, raptor, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
5 Comments
Latest bin collection information – October 2014
I’ve long held that if you want to start a revolution in the UK, just disrupt refuse collections, so this is a headsup for everyone in the local area – there’s a new issue of the refuse collection and recycling leaflet out now with a collection calendar, recycling guide and other information.
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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
8 Comments
Bonfire and Fireworks at Walsall Wood FC Sunday evening!
If you’re at a loose end on Sunday evening, or are looking for a good firework party to take the kids to, there’s a great event at the Walsall Wood Football Club Ground, Oak Park, Walsall Wood, this evening (Sunday, 2nd November 2014), kicking off at 6:30pm.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 2nd, bonfire night, Events, FC, fireworks, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Lichfield, November, Oak Park, party, soccer, Sunday, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Brownhills Christmas market: more stalls invited!
I’m running this again as the Brownhills Town Centre Partnership are really trying to plug their Christmas Market project, and I wholly support them – it’s a cracking idea, but they need to attract as many stalls as possible.
[caption id="attachment_16905" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Just a normal day in Brownhills….[/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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A Christmas market for Brownhills?
I’ve had the following press release in from Walsall Council, and I think this is a really, really good idea – a two-day Christmas market planned for Brownhills over the weekend of 13-14 December 2014, and the council are appealing for stallholders.
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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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Does anyone know about the Co-op closure in Brownhills?
Here’s an enquiry that’s come in today from reader Dave, who’s asked about the closure of the Co-op store in the small precinct just off the Watling Street opposite Brownhills School.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2014, A5, Brownhills, close down, closing, co-op, convenience store, Events, Lichfield, Redevelopment, shut, Silly, Tamworth, Watling Street
3 Comments
It’s a special occasion – get on your Sunday best!
A couple of great images reach me from top blog contributor the young David Evans, and reader Maria Fitzgerald – both are of kids in their Sunday best clothes in celebration.
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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, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1948, 1967, 1968, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, celebration, David Evans, Ebenezer, Ebenzer, Events, Facebook, Infants, Lichfield, Local History, Maria Fitzgerald, May day, Maypole, New Photos, Ogley Hay, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Sunday School, teachers, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
The lost hall of Fisherwick
Kate Cardigan Gomez, irrepressible wonder behind Lichfield Lore has organised a walk and tour around the remains of the incredible Fisherwick Park estate with her other project, Lichfield Discovered – it takes place tomorrow, Saturday 27th September 2014.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Capability Brown, community, Discovered, Donegal, event, Events, Facebook, Farm, Fisherwick, ha-ha, Hademore, hall, history, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Maquis, New Photos, orangery, Panoramio, Park, Staffordshire, stroll, Things to do, tour, Twitter, walk, Woodhouse
2 Comments
Very hard to build up, easy as hell to tear down
This is just a note to flag up a remarkable piece of writing by ex-Walsall resident, blogger and new dad Rich Johnstone, a chap who I’ve always found to be an excellent writer, thoroughly decent human and good online pal.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged Cheap tat, creativity, Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, negativity, Politics, postivity, Rich Johnstone, Silly, Social media, TheFabMrJ, Walsall politics
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Smooth operators
Here’s a nice one to run for a change – a few days ago the young David Evans dropped me a line to tell me how impressed he was with the new road surface recently laid in Friezland Lane, Shire Oak by Tarmac LaFarge working for Walsall Council.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged August, Brownhills, complete, cycling, David Evans, Events, Friezland Lane, Green Lane, Lafarge, Lichfield, planning, praise, resurfacing, Shire Oak, Tarmac, thanks, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Don’t blink
Kate Cardigan Gomez and Sandfields champion Dave Moore have teamed up with their informal local history group Lichfield Discovered to give a free talk in Lichfield this coming Monday evening (8th September 2014) entitled ‘Weeping Angels – Symbolism in Victorian Cemeteries’.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 8 September, cardigan, cemetery, community, Dave Moore, Discovered, Evening, event, Events, Facebook, history, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Monday, New Photos, Staffordshire, symbolism, Talk, Things to do, Twitter, Victorian, Weeping angels
2 Comments
Clear waters rising
Here’s some good news and welcome common sense for those of us who enjoy Chasewater – after being nothing more than a filthy soup of rotting bird faeces, food and feathers for a few months now, Staffordshire County Council have got contractors in to clean out the boating lake.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bird, boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, change, Chasewater, consideration, cynical, ducks, Facebook, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, poo, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, shit, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, Water, wildfowl, Wildlife
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You can’t trust all you read in the paper…
Whew – panic over Yesterday, following a report in the Express & Star, I wrote of my concern that the old leisure centre at Oak Park in Walsall Wood would be demolished before a new one was built to replace it.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Demolition, man?
There was an interesting report in Monday’s Express & Star (18th August 2014) which points out the project to replace Oak Park leisure centre in Walsall Wood and the similar facility in Bloxwich is to start ‘next month’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Road closure in Brownhills from tomorrow
I see that tomorrow, Friezland Lane in Shire Oak will be closed from 9am-5pm by Walsall Council for ten days for much needed resurfacing works – this is good news for residents and folk who use this cut through, but may cause delays and disruption to busses that use the route.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 20, 2014, 29, August, Brownhills, Clive Roberts, cycling, David Evans, Events, Friezland Lane, Green Lane, Lafarge, Lichfield, micro asphalt, planning, resurfacing, Shire Oak, Tarmac, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Photos from the 2014 Brownhills Community Fun Day
Last Saturday, as I advertised here on the blog, it was Brownhills Community Fun Day at the Activity Centre – what used to be the old Central Boy’s School or Annexe, and Bonita Clayton from the Community Association has been in touch with a note of thanks and some photos of the day.
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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 2014, 9 August, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, fun day, images, Lichfield, pictures, Shire Oak, thanks, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
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Come on a historical Lichfield pub crawl – tonight!
Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore has asked if I could let readers know about her historical pub crawl of Lichfield, taking place tonight at 7:00pm, 11th August 2014 – the walk meets in the Market Square outside St Mary’s, and is free to participants.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 11 August, 2014, crawl, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Heritage Centre, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Lost, Monday, Moore, New Photos, Panoramio, pub, Pubs, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, tour, Twitter
1 Comment
Aspirational my backside
I noticed in early summer that someone had been undertaking clearance work on a site near Brownhills, just down the Chester Road to the south of Shire Oak Nature Reserve, and was curious about it – it now seems that my question has been answered.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 14/0910/FL, application, Aspirational, astlehill, block, Brownhills, Chester Road, Derelict, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Upper Stonnall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Works
12 Comments
Brownhills Community Fun Day this Saturday!
Hey – if you’re looking out for stuff to do this coming Saturday (9th August 2014), look no further than Brownhills Activity Centre (The old Central Boy’s School, or Annex to my generation), just off the Miner Island in Brownhills.
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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 2014, 9 August, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, fun day, Lichfield, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
1 Comment
A temperamental old lady
When I playfully prodded Tony Winn earlier in the week to see if as one of the most knowledgable contributors on the subject of Ralph Ferrie, he might have information on one of the entrepreneur’s old trucks, I never expected to strike gold.
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 1917, 1966, Bessie, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, butts, Carnival, Charles Ferrie, classic, HGV, John Petty, Leyland, local blogs, Local History, Lorry, New Photos, Ralph Ferrie, Scrap yard, Staffordshire, Transport, vintage, Walsall Show
2 Comments
You can’t bank on it
There has been a fair amount of dismay and disbelief locally in response to the decision of Barclays Bank to close their branch in Brownhills, which will apparently cease trading on Friday, 24th October 2014.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bank, Barclays, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Closure, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, retaildecline, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
17 Comments
Youth service in Walsall – important meeting tonight!
I note that Walsall Council have a scrutiny meeting this evening on the vexed matter of the Integrated Young People’s Support Service – that’s pretty much anything the council provides for kids and young people, including youth justice, targeted support, youth centres, the Education Business Partnership and parent partnership services.
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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
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