#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
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Category Archives: Local Blogs
Wolves at the door
I’m having the IT builders in this weekend, so posts are a bit scattergun as I move things, fix them up and reinstall them, so please bear with me – but helpfully, the blog regulars in the form of the young David Evans, Pedro Cutler, Andy Dennis and dear old Reg Fullelove have supplied lots of material to tide us through.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1975, Art Gallery, David Evans, gallery, local blogs, Local History, Old pictures, Reg Fullelove, Staffordshire, Tarmac, Wolverhampton, year of achitecture
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Chasewater Railway: Burton Brewery Locomotives Day this Sunday!
Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a local preserved industrial railway is this Sunday (10th July 2016) staging a Burton Brewery Locomotives Day, which can be combined via a link-up heritage bus service with the Aston Manor Transport Museum open day in Aldridge, for a total transport blowout!
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 10 July 2016, 2016, Aston Manor, Award, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burton Brewery, Chasewater, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, link up, local blogs, Local History, loco, Newsletter, Railway, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, treat
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See familiar places from a different perspective with Lichfield Discovered this Saturday!
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is organising a great Saturday afternoon photo walk around Lichfield, with her informal and fun Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered.
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 2016, 9, cardigan, different perspective, Discovered, ditch, event, Events, Facebook, Familiar Places, free, Gomez, July, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, photo, ramble, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, town boundary, Twitter, walk
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New Hall Mill open again this Sunday!
New Hall Mill near Sutton Coldfield is open again this Sunday (1oth July 2016) and I can heartily recommend the place – It’s fascinating and I had a great time there on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 2015 – not enough people know about this wonderful building and the dedicated folk who look after it.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 10 July, 2016, Alan Dawson, collection, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Deer, History day, NCN, New Hall Mill, Newhall, off road, open days, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Sunday, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Water Mill, Wylde Green
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Be alert – Vehicle theft incident in Shire Oak
A reader living in the Shire Oak area has been in touch with me asking to share with readers that they had their car stolen on Monday night (4th June 2016) – the car was taken from a locked garage which was broken into.
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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 2016, 4 July, break in, Brownhills, Car, Car Crime, crime, Events, garage, Lichfield, local blogs, Monday, Oak Park, Police, public safety, set fire, Shire Oak, Stolen, Theft, Vandalism, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
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Get your Freakley on…
Just recently we’ve talked extensively about the Midland Railway through Walsall Wood and Brownhills, and the notorious rail tour that seems to have been the last passenger train along it – but we’ve also discussed local brick making too, and I think this is an excellent time to feature this article by top local historian Gerald Reece.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Walk Into History, Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Freakily Bricks, FreakleyG, Gerald Reece, House, local blogs, Local History, Midland Railway, Mr, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
12 Comments
Great historical walk around RAF Lichfield – this afternoon
If you’re quick, there’s going to be another great event staged this afternoon by Lichfield Discovered, a side project of Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore – this time, it’s a walk around the site and remains of the old RAF Lichfield base near Fradley – it’s led by the wonderful Steve Lightfoot, so is bound to be entertaining, informative and fun!
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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 2016, 3 july, aerodrome, air, Airport, base, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, Fradley, free, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, New Photos, RAF, Staffordshire, Steve Lightfoot, stories, Sunday, Talk, Things to do, tour, Twitter, walk, war
1 Comment
Pictures from the Brownhills Centenary Remembrance Service for the Battle of the Somme
Sadly I was at work and couldn’t make the Brownhills Centenary Remembrance Service for the Battle of the Somme yesterday (Friday, 1st July 2016) – but reader and top friend of the blog David Evans did, and he was kind enough to provide the following emotive account and photos.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged british Legion, Brownhills, centenary, David Evans, Events, gallery, Great War, Lichfield, Local History, Martin Littler, memorial, photos, Remembrance, Service, Somme, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, WW1
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Something fishy afoot?
I’ve had an interesting question in from Taffy of Tamworth, who’s an angler who enjoys fishing Marklews Pond, off Engine Lane in Brownhills – but he’s recently noticed something.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bug row, colliery, Common, Coppice, Coppice Side, Engine Lane, Internet Archive, little Wyrley, local blogs, Local History, Marklew's Pond, Old maps, Panoramio, Robert Webster, Side, Staffordshire, state, taffy, Tommy Shop, Tommy Tokens, Wayback Machine, William Marklew
19 Comments
Fired up
Last week, we looked at early evidence of local brick making on an industrial scale, after a remarkable passage describing a local brickworks was spotted in an 1850 book by the wonderful Simon Briercliffe.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brawn, brickworks, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Coppice, Coppice Colliery, House, Ian Pell, joberns, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Redevelopment, Simon Briercliffe, Staffordshire, Utopia, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
Chasewater Railway: a great Fathers Day treat!
Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a preserved industrial railway is this this weekend staging a coal train special event, which sounds just the thing for train-loving dads and their families who may be looking for a special treat for the old fellow.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2016, Award, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, call train weekend, Chasewater, Events, Facebook, fathers day, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Newsletter, Railway, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, treat
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Aldridge Remembers the Great War – coming soon
There is a vey interesting pair of Great War Remembrance events coming to Aldridge in a couple of weeks for people who wish to pay respects, those who had family involvement or perhaps historical interest in the Battle of the Somme.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1st july, 2016, Aldridge, Blue, ceremony, Events, House, Len Boulton, Library, Lichfield, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Manor, Plaque, Somme, Staffordshire, Sue Satterthwaite, Talk, Things to do, Walsall Council, whistle
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Arrests made following attempted child abduction incidents
Following yesterday’s warning from local police to be vigilant regarding a couple of suspected attempted child abduction incidents in Little Bloxwich, Walsall Police yesterday made two arrests and issued the following statement on Facebook (Wednesday 15th June 2016):
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13 June, 14 June, 2016, 9 June, approached, arrest, Attempted, boy, Brownhills, called, crime, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Little Bloxwich, Maple Street, Police, Ryle Street, schools, van, Walsall Wood, warning, Waslall, white
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Parents warned after children approached by men in van in Little Bloxwich
Walsall Police have issued a warning to local parents after two reported incidents of children being approached by a pair of men in a white Transit van in the little Bloxwich area.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13 June, 14 June, 2016, 9 June, approached, Attempted, boy, Brownhills, called, crime, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Little Bloxwich, Maple Street, Police, Ryle Street, schools, van, Walsall Wood, warning, Waslall, white
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Get some Iron, man – Event and road closure details for this Sunday
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that this Sunday (June 12th 2016), the second Staffordshire Ironman Triathlon will be staged, with a 1.2 mile swim in Chasewater being amongst the highlights.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 12 June, 2016, Brownhills, Chasewater, Cycle rides, cycling, Details, Diversions, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Ironman, Lichfield, list, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, ride, road closed, Road Closure, Run, Shugborough, Staffordshire, Sunday, swim, Things to do, traffic
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New Hall Mill open again this Sunday!
Theres a lovely thing to visit locally this Sunday (12th June 2016), that’s close by, free and absolutely fascinating…
Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 12 June, 2016, Alan Dawson, Art and Crafts day, collection, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Deer, History day, NCN, New Hall Mill, Newhall, off road, open days, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Sunday, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Water Mill, Wylde Green
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Your chance to get involved with the restoration of our lost canal – this Friday!
Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are holding their Annual General Meeting this Friday, 10th June 2016) in Brownhills, at the Parkview Centre (the old Council House on the Miner Island), and all are welcome to attend.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, 5th June, AGM, Barracks Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Cross City Line, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Parkview Centre, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, The Boat, Things to do, trust, Twitter, Wildlife
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And whose army?
Oh boy, is this a cracker – this wonderful enquiry came in yesterday from Derek Broadhurst, who’s found a very curious postcard which may shed light on the derivation of the name ‘Barracks Lane’, which is the road that funs from the A461 Lichfield Road at Sandhills, right over to the A5 Watling Street, east of Newtown.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Army, barracks, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Crestacre, factory, Farm, Horse, Huts, Ice Cream, Isolation Hospital, Lane, Lichfield, Liz Wellington, local blogs, Local History, Maddever, Nursery, Old maps, Pelari, Redevelopment, Selwyn Smith, Shire Oak, Springhills, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, UDC
13 Comments
Chasewater Railway: award winning, and on your doorstep!
I’ve noticed in the last few days that Chasewater Railway – the little gem of a preserved industrial railway, running steam and vintage diesel trains around Chasewater Park- has won royal recognition for it’s work.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Award, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Newsletter, Railway, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do
2 Comments
New Hall Mill open tomorrow, Spring Bank Holiday Monday
Theres a lovely thing to visit locally this coming Bank Holiday Monday (30th May 2016), that’s close by, free and absolutely fascinating…
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 0th May, 2016, 8th May, Alan Dawson, Art and Crafts day, Bank Holicay3, bank holiday, Bank Holiday Monday, bike cam, collection, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Deer, History day, Muntjac, NCN, New Hall Mill, Newhall, off road, open days, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Water Mill, Wylde Green
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Bathing beauties
I’ve noticed a few people posting images online of the red deer at Chasewater yesterday who decided that in the warm weather, a swim was in order – and friend of the blog Leah Braidman posted the above wonderful images on the Brownhills Past and Present Facebook page.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2016, Angela Morris, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, Leah Braidman, local blogs, May, Neil Tipton, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – May 2016 public meeting this Thursday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Thursday evening (26 May 2016) there will be a public progress meeting for the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
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 26 May, Architecture, at risk, Bird Street, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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New Hall Mill open next Bank Holiday Monday!
Theres a lovely thing to visit locally this coming Bank Holiday Monday (30th May 2016), that’s close by, free and absolutely fascinating…
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 0th May, 2016, 8th May, Alan Dawson, Art and Crafts day, Bank Holicay3, bank holiday, Bank Holiday Monday, bike cam, collection, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Deer, History day, Muntjac, NCN, New Hall Mill, Newhall, off road, open days, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Water Mill, Wylde Green
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Discover the wonderful history of Lichfield’s water
Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore has tipped me off about a Sunday morning historical walk taking place in Lichfield tomorrow exploring the remarkable history of the city water supply.
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 22 May, 25 May, cardigan, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, ramble, Silly, Staffordshire, Sunday, supply, Talk, Things to do, Twitter, walk, Water, waterworks trust, Wednesday
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Parents of schoolchildren warned after incidents in Brownhills and Aldridge
I notice from a number of sources and circulating social media that schools in Aldridge and Brownhills are warning parents about two incidents where children have been approached by a male in his 20s or 30s in a white BMW X1 car.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10 September 2013, 2016, Aldridge, Attempted, BMTC, Brownhills, crime, Events, Facebook, Friday, incident, Letter, Lichfield, Police, schools, text, van, Walsall Wood, warning, white, x1
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The Friends of Brownhills Common – Meeting and AGM next Monday!
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres the AGM of the Friends of Brownhills Common ext Monday, 16th May 2016 at 7:00pm at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception by 7:00pm.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 16 May, 2016, AGM, Annual General Meeting, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Walk the lost Beacon Place with Lichfield Discovered tonight!
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore has organised a great Monday Evening historical walk exploring the lost estate of Beacon Place, with her informal and fun Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered.
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 201, 24 April, 2pm, cardigan, Discovered, ditch, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, ramble, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, town boundary, Twitter, walk
2 Comments
A Coppice, lots of timber and a little backtracking
The SLS rail tour that took place in 1959 has proven to be a rich seam of material, and has provoked much debate amongst blog readers about the locations of some photos, and just how and where the Diesel Multiple Unit pictured managed to reverse.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Birmingham Central Goods Station, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, coombe, Coppice, Coppice Colliery, Derelict, DJ Norton, Events, Heath Hayes, House, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, RS Carpenter, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
New Hall Mill first open day of 2016 this Sunday!
Theres a lovely thing to visit locally this Sunday (8th May 2016), that’s close by, free and absolutely fascinating…
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 2016, 8th May, Alan Dawson, Art and Crafts day, bank holiday, Bank Holiday Monday, bike cam, collection, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Deer, History day, Muntjac, NCN, New Hall Mill, Newhall, off road, open days, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Water Mill, Wylde Green
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Where does the water go? Find out this Saturday!
An interesting history walk is taking place this Saturday, 7th May at Chasewater, entitled ‘Where does the water go?’ which takes a look at how the dam infrastructure functions, and some of the industrial history of Anglesey Basin and surrounds.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2016, 7 May, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Countryside, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, guided walks, Rangers, Reservoir, Shared media, Staffordshire, Things to do, whats on, Where does the water go, Wildlife
2 Comments
Up around the bend
More here today that goes to show the Venn diagram of history forever curiously overlaps – Ian pell has waded in once more on the subject of the notorious May 1959 rail tour up the Walsall Wood line to the Conduit Colliery – from which a few pictures have emerged over the years and was raised here again last week by Simon Swain with a great new picture.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, coombe, Coppice, Derelict, Events, House, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Aldridge Manor Youth Club restarts in a new home this coming Tuesday!
Following the sad closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club, local activist Paul Sharpe has been beavering away to try and continue the club in some form in a new venue – I posted his appeal for help here a couple of months ago.
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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 Aldridge Arena, Aldridge Manor, Cheap tat, Closure, Croft, cuts, Facebook, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, May 3, Paul Sharpe, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – April 2016 public meeting this Thursday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Thursday evening (28th April 2016) there will be a public progress meeting for the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
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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 28th April, Architecture, at risk, Bird Street, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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It’s the rail thing
A great one for the train enthusiasts comes in from new Brownhills resident Simon Swain, who’s been doing some great railway history stuff in the South Staffordshire Railway group on Facebook – it seems that the notorious May 1959 rail tour up the Walsall Wood line to the Conduit Colliery – from which a few pictures have emerged over the years – continues to fascinate and unearth new images.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, coombe, Derelict, Events, House, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Si Swain, Simon, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Walk the ditch with Lichfield Discovered this Sunday
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is organising a great Sunday afternoon historical walk along the line of the old town boundary ditch, with her informal and fun Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered.
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 201, 24 April, 2pm, cardigan, Discovered, ditch, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, ramble, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, town boundary, Twitter, walk
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Aldridge Carnival – late 1960’s
This is a quick one that’s popped up via Facebook and the hero behind the Aldridge Cinema project: Russell Smith, who’s found and converted some cinefilm of Aldridge Carnival in the late 1960s – it’s really rather wonderful and very high quality.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1960's, 1968, 1970's, Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, carnical, carnival footage, Cine film, local blogs, Local History, Pigblog, Reg Fullelove, Rushall, RushallCarnival, RusjallT, Russell Smith, The Stymaster, Twitter
3 Comments
The Friends of Clayhanger Park need your help!
Following the success of Madwblog’s CLayhanger Spring Clean a few weeks ago, the Friends of Clayhanger Park have decided to organise their own event which will be taking place this Saturday (9th April 2016).
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, 9 April, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Easter, Events, Facebook, Friends of clay hanger park, Lichfield, litter pick, littler, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, pick, Spring Clean, Things to do, Tidy, Walsall Council
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Meet Lichfield Discovered over a pint tonight!
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is has an informal local history meeting on this evening with her irreverent and fun Lichfield history group, Lichfield Discovered.
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 2016, 5 April, Bird Street, cardigan, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, Lichfield, Lichfield history group, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, social evening, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Tuesday, Twitter
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – Annual General Meeting this evening
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this evening (Thursday 31st March 2016) there will be the Annual General Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
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 2016, 31 March, Architecture, at risk, Bird Street, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Crafty stuff!
I’ve had a press release in from friend of the blog Lucy Wood, who put on the wonderful reopening shindig for the Saxon Hill Scrap Barn at Chasewater last Saturday – Lucy is keen to informm readers of opening times and the sort of stuff this wonderful store sells.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, care, Carers, Chasewater, conference, Craft Village, Debenhams, disability, Events, Facebook, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Lucy Wood, New Deal, New Photos, planning, Saxon Hill School, Scrapstores UK, Social Care, social enterprise, special needs, Srap Barn, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, WH Smith
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De-railed
There was a great letter last week in the Walsall Advertiser from friend of the blog and Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer, who’s a noted local author and community activist – Brian is concerned, like most of the people in Brownhills – with he fate of the former South Staffordshire Railway Line through Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged appeal, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Kid, cycleway, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Railway, South Staffs, Staffordshire
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Clayhanger spring clean – a great success!
Just a note to interested readers that on the wonderful Madwblog, there’s a great write-up and gallery of images of the Clayhanger Spring Clean that took place this morning (Saturday 19th March 2016) in the village, where some excellent community-mined folk came together to do a litter pick and show their village some love.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, Laura Terry, Lichfield, litter pick, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, Spring Clean, Things to do, Tidy, Walsall Council
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The Craft Barn reopens at Chasewater this Saturday!
I’m pleased to bring readers more great news from the Lichfield Scrap Barn shop at Chasewater Innovation Centre – it’s had a makeover, and a bit of a rebrand, and reopens this Saturday lunchtime at 12pm.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Brownhills, care, Carers, Chasewater, conference, Craft Village, Debenhams, disability, Events, Facebook, Innovation centre, Lichfield, local blogs, Lucy Wood, New Deal, New Photos, planning, Saxon Hill School, Scrapstores UK, Social Care, social enterprise, special needs, Srap Barn, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, WH Smith
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Aldridge Manor Youth Club: Can you help it be reborn?
As a result of the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and sale of the Manor House by Walsall Council, local activist Paul Sharpe has got his thinking cap on, and is appealing for help from anyone who might be able to help him set up an alternative club.
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 Aldridge Manor, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Paul Sharpe, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
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Car stolen from Clayhanger – keep an eye out folks
Please be on the lookout for this somewhat distinctive BMW 520d Estate car (registration C20COP) which was stolen from Wych Elm Road, Clayhanger last night (7-8th March 2016) following a house break-in.
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 2016, 7 March, break in, Brownhills, Burglary, c20cop, Car burglary, Car Crime, Car Theft, Clayhanger, crime, Events, Facebook, intruder, local blogs, Mark Cooper, Police, public safety, Stonnall, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police, Which Elm Road
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Meet Lichfield Discovered over a pint tonight!
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is has an informal local history meeting on this evening with her irreverent and fun Lichfield history group, Lichfield Discovered.
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 2016, 8 March, Bird Street, cardigan, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, Lichfield, Lichfield history group, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, social evening, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Tuesday, Twitter
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Second Northfields Way barrier consultation tonight
As Councillor Steve Wade is helpfully reporting, if you’re concerned about the issues surrounding traveller encampment and other ASB at Northfields Way in Clayhanger, there’s a consultation drop-in session tonight (Monday, 7th March 2016) open to all at Clayhanger Methodist Church, Clayhanger Lane, from 5:30-7:30pm.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, 7 March, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Methodist Church, Northfields Way, planning, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Chasewater Railway Industrial Gala this weekend
I note Chasewater Railway have a Mixed Steam and Diesel Industrial Gala this weekend (Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March 2016), with special engines and a much busier running timetable than normal.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2016, 5, 6, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Diesel, Events, Gala, Gala Day, industrial, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, March, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains
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Bang tidy!
I note from the informative blog of Brownhills Councillor Steve Wade that there will be a Big Tidy Up day in Brownhills this Thursday, 3rd March 2016 organised by Walsall Council, the Town Centre and Area Partnerships.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, 3 March, 5 March, Ben Brittain, Brownhills, Canal, clean for the queen, Councillor, Derelict, Events, Facebook, flytipping, Lichfield, litter, local blogs, Local politics, pick, Politics, Ravens Court, Steve Wade, Tesco, Things to do, Town Cnetre Partnership, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Northfields Way barrier consultation tonight
As top local activist blog Madwblog and Councillor Steve Wade are helpfully reporting, please don’t forget that if you’re concerned about the issues surrounding traveller encampment and other ASB at Northfields Way in CLayhanger, there’s a consultation drop-in session tonight (Monday, 29th February 2016) open to all at the community centre in the village.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Clayhanger, community centre, Consultation, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Northfields Way, planning, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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