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Category Archives: Local music
It’s going to be a great day – Brownhills Canalside Festival on today!
on’t forget that tomorrow (Sunday 29th June 2014) is the 12th annual Brownhills Canalside Festival which has been truly reinvigorated by the boundless energy and enthusiasm of local activist Brian Stringer, who’s been working very hard indeed to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever before.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Fixed in time
I’ve had in a great contribution from a chap who’s been a friend of the blog for as long as I’ve been writing it – Roger ‘Ziksby’ Jones – on the subject of early bicycles, which arose from the image of F. Bradbury recently supplied by John and Paul Anslow.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged @ziksby, Anslow, bicycle, bikes, Bradbury, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bycycles, cycling, early, fixed wheel, john, Lichfield, Local History, Malvern, New Photos, Paul, Roger Jones, The Malvern Cycling Club 1883-1912, Things to do, Veteran-Cycle Club, W H Melhuish, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Getting shipshape for Brownhills Canal Festival 2014
Well, it’s really nice to see that after a few years in the doldrums Brownhills Canalside Festival is reinvigorated by the boundless energy and enthusiasm of Brian Stringer, who’s working hard to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever before.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Certified child labour
John and Paul Anslow have been great contributors to the Brownhills Blog over the last year or so – only recently, we had the great debate spurred by his wonderful images of the brass band and that monstink, Mr Bradbury.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1904, Anslow, Board of Education, boys, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Girls, Jackson, Jane, john, Labour Certificate, Lichfield, Local History, Mary, mixed, New Photos, Paul, School, Shire Oak, St Johns, Staffordshire, Sunday School, Things to do, Walsall Wood
13 Comments
It’ll soon be time for the Brownhills Canalside Festival
Details of this year’s Brownhills Canal Festival have kindly been supplied by The Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer. I’m trying to get as much info as I can, which I’ll let you have as soon as it’s available.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
It’s easy being green, and fun too!
This coming Saturday (7th June 2014) there’s a cracker of an event happening in Walsall Arboretum – the Environment Day features all the best is local music, seminars, stalls and all things green and environmentally sound, from gardening to organics and birds to bat advice!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged acoustic, acts, arboretum, Arborrangermark, bands, Bandstand, Bandstand Marathon, Big Gig, Environment Day, Events, folk, free, gig, Lichfield, live music, Mark Hopson, Open Mic, roots, Walsall, Walsall Council
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A bit of a monstink…
I present today a series of three photos, and a wonderful article with some remarkable detail – I’d like readers – not just the Walsall Wood Massive – to help here, please with names and recollections if you have any.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anslow, Band, bicycle, Bradbury, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cycling, David Evans, David Stickland, Ebenezer, Harry, Jackson, john, Lichfield, Local History, Marigold, New Photos, Newbould, Paul, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Sunday School, Tams, The parish church of Walsall Wood, Things to do, Walsall Wood
34 Comments
Family fun day at The Smithy’s Forge, next Monday
Deputy Manager of Brownhills Pub Smithys Forge, Matt Folan, has asked me to plug the Family Fun Day set to take place there next Monday (May 26th 2014) from 12-6pm – that’s the Smithys Forge Pub in Lichfield Road, Brownhills, just off the Miner Island.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 26th May, bands, bank holiday, beer, bouncy castle, Brownhills, DJ, entertainment, Events, Family, Family Fun Day, gig, Live, live music, Matt Folan, music, pub, Pubs, Real Ale, Smithys Forge, Things to do
1 Comment
Caldmore and Palfrey Festival this weekend!
You folks all know me well enough by now to see that I think it’s really important we get behind stuff that bonds us good folk and our communities together – one such event is the Caldmore and Palfrey Festival.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2014, 24, 25, 26, a taste of Caldmore, Aziz Ibrahim, Caldmore, celebration, Dalbir Singh Rattan, diamond jubilee festival, Events, Facebook, food, local blogs, May, music, Palfrey Festival, party, planning, things to see and do, Village Festival, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Walsall Woodstock two day music festival this weekend!
This bank holiday weekend – Sunday 25th May and Monday 27th May 2014 – sees the annual Walsall Woodstock music and entertainment festival at the Horse and Jockey Pub, Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, 25, 26, bank holiday, Brains For Breakfast, Brownhills, charity, Darkness Is Blinding, Drink Sleep Repeat, entertainment, Events, Facebook, Framed, Glass Bullet, H & John, Hobgoblin, Horse and Jockey, Judas Johnson, Krazylegz, Lichfield, Lightfire, Massive Shed, May, Meningitis Now, Music Festival, No Fences, Pubs, Samurai Sunday, Seeking Daylight, The Assist, The Collective, The Guvnors, The Nics, Things to do, Uncle Jim, Walsall Wood, Woodstock
5 Comments
Calling local bands!
Following the massive success of the annual Bands on the Beacon event, and the fun that was The Bandstand Marathon in 2012 and the Arboretum Big Gig of last year, Walsall’s parks team are really pushing the boat out for live music and events this year.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged acoustic, acts, arboretum, Arborrangermark, Aziz Ibrahim, bands, Bandstand, Bandstand Marathon, Big Gig, Environment Day, Events, folk, free, gig, Lichfield, live music, Mark Hopson, Open Mic, roots, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Living by numbers
Right, after embarrassingly missing some local events at Chasewater last Monday after promising to advertise them, I’ve decided it’s time to bite the bullet and start a community diary.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged activites, Brownhills, calendar, Canal, Chasewater, Clayhanger, community, Diary, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local, Pubs, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, whats on
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Brownhills Canal Festival 2014 – details now available
Details of this year’s Brownhills Canal Festival have kindly been supplied by The Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer. I’m trying to get as much info as I can, which I’ll let you have as soon as it’s available.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
You’d be crazy to miss this!
Lee Williams contacted me from Brownhills Musical Theatre Company late last week to ask if I’d give their latest production Crazy for You a plug – it’s running all this week until Saturday at Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Audition, Bobby, boys, Brownhills, Crazy for You, Events, Facebook, Garrick, Gerschwin, Jamie Norgrove, Lichfield, local blogs, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
2 Comments
Family fun day at the Shire Oak tomorrow!
Local chap and friend of the blog Andy Sawyer has asked me to plug the Family Fun Day set to take place tomorrow (May 4th 2014) at the Shire Oak pub (or Top Oak), on the Chester Road, Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Andy Sawyer, bands, beer, bouncy castle, Brownhills, Eddie Beak, Events, Face Painting, Family Fun Day, gig, Help for heroes, live music, local blogs, May 4th, pub, Publog, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, Stymaster, The Todfather, Things to do, Third Angle Projection, Walsall Wood
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The Tat Man cometh
I know it’s short notice, but there’s a great show going on this afternoon at 2pm in the museum at Lichfield Street in Walsall – ‘The Life and Times of the Tat Man’ is a continuation of the great shows created by Dave Calcutt, Glen Buglass and the team working on the history around the Bayards Colts.
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Posted in Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2014, 3rd may, amateur dramatics, Bayards Colts, Dave Calcutt, Events, free, Glen Buglass, Lichfield, Life and Times of the Tat Man, local blogs, Local History, Mummers, museum, Performance, Saturday, Silly, Street Theatre, Theatre, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
2 Comments
Family fun day at the Shire Oak, next Sunday
Local chap and friend of the blog Andy Sawyer has asked me to plug the Family Fun Day set to take place next Sunday (May 4th 2014) at the Shire Oak pub (or Top Oak), on the Chester Road, Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Andy Sawyer, bands, beer, bouncy castle, Brownhills, Eddie Beak, Events, Face Painting, Family Fun Day, gig, Help for heroes, live music, local blogs, May 4th, pub, Publog, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, Stymaster, The Todfather, Things to do, Third Angle Projection, Walsall Wood
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Don’t disrupt the bingo!
Today, reader and longstanding friend of the Brownhills Blog Stuart Cowley mailed me the above wonderful image of Chasetown Working Men’s Club Committee from years past, when Stuart’s Dad was involved.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A.Willets, B.Stansbie, bingo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Charles Cowley, Chasetown, CIU, club, Coppice Road, D.Wolfe, day trip, E.Walker, Friezland, G.Atkins, H.Lewis, H.Whitehouse, Institute, J.Bartram, J.Brawn, J.Collis, J.Sarsfield, J.Wolfe, kids, Lane, Lanour, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Middleton, New Photos, P.Cage, Sankeys, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, T.Bridewater, Things to do, W.Cliffe, W.Seedhouse, Walsall Wood, Working mens club
2 Comments
Middle Oak up for sale
I wouldn’t normally bother too much with this, but there’s been a fair bit of rumour locally and it’s worth pointing out that the current landlords of the Royal Oak in Shire Oak, Brownhills (known as ‘The Middle’) will apparently be taking over a refurbished Royal Exchange in Walsall Wood, and the Royal Oak has been placed on the market by it’s current owners.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Facebook, For Sale, Housing Development, Local History, Mathhew Phillips Surveyors, Middle Oak, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, refurbishment, Royal Exchange, Royal Oak, Shire Oak, Twitter, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Django unchanged
It’s been over a year now since I noted the sad news of the passing of Paul Degville, jazz musician extraordinaire and leading light in the formerly little recorded jazz scene that existed around the Crown Pub in Brownhills in the 1970s.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1970's, BBC, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, community, David Danks, death, Django, Ferrograph, Fred Degville, Ian, Jazz, Ken Rattenbury, Local History, local music, New Photos, Norman Pritchard, passed away, passing, Paul Degville, PaulDegville, Peter Barker, Phil Jones, Pubs, Service, St Michael, Staffordshire, The Crown, Wheatsheaf
9 Comments
That rings a bell…
That there young David Evans has been very busy – not content to loaf around convalescing like any normal person after his recent operation, he’s been preparing some new local history projects, and updating others.
[caption id="attachment_17624" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Image generously supplied by David Evans.[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Churches, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Hand, Hand of glory, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Ringers, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, tintabulist, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
On to another level
Way back last summer, the young David Evans started a series of articles here on the Brownhills Blog about Brownhills Co-operative Choral Society, a very highly respected musical ensemble indeed, and a remarkable, often overlooked piece of Brownhills history.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Birch, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, Deryck, dog, Douglas, Eisteddfod, George Fullelove, Langford, Llangollen, Local History, Marathon, MBE, New Photos, Silver Street Methodist Church, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Ran like clockwork
Here’s an interesting one for 80s Walsall music fans, a fanzine of the period – I feature these occasionally, as I come upon them in my stash or as they’re sent in.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1988, 80's, Brownhills local history, Clockwork Sausage Dog, eighties, fanzine, Local History, Mother, Noise News, Noize Neuze, Overstrand, Punch and Judy, Ron's Neighbours, Sossidge, Walsall, Walsall local music, Walsall Musicians Collective, WMC
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Free Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum today!
Top Walsall Council bod Kate Goodall contacted me to ask if I could plug the Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum -it is to be held in the beautifully refurbished bandstand tomorrow, Saturday 21st December 2013, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 15th December, 2012, arboretum, Bandstand, carol, Christmas, concert, Events, New Photos, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
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It was magic…
I didn’t really know what to expect from the Brownhills Christmas Magic 2013 event, it looked really good on paper but I was curious as to how it would pan out on the day – I was really, really pleasantly surprised.
[caption id="attachment_16900" align="alignright" width="224"]
‘Can you give us a hand?’ they said. J’Just a few hours on Saturday’ they said…[/caption] Continue reading
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, Armitage Birds of Prey, 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, photos, pictures, Ravens Court, Santa Special, Shop Local, Shop smart, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Bloxwich: men in tights!
I see that Glen, Dave and all the folk behind the wonderful Cart Before the Horse community theatre company have a great Christmas production on this weekend at the Bookmark Theatre, Bloxwich, which is situated in the new library.
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Posted in Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2013, amateur dramatics, Bayards Colts, Bloxwich, Bookmark Theatre, Dave Calcutt, Events, free, French Magician, Friday 13th December, Glen Buglass, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mummers, Performance, Robin Hood, Saturday 14th December, Silly, Staffordshire, Street Theatre, Sunday, Sunday 15th December, The Cart Before The Horse, Theatre, Things to do, tickets, Walsall, Walsall Council
4 Comments
Desperately seeking… Bobby
Jamie Norgrove contacted me from Brownhills Musical Theatre Company yesterday to ask if I’d put out this appeal for chaps who’d like to audition for the part of Bobby in the company’s next production, Gerschwin’s ‘Crazy for You’, to be staged at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre in May 2014.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Audition, Bobby, boys, Brownhills, Crazy for You, Events, Facebook, Garrick, Gerschwin, Jamie Norgrove, Lichfield, local blogs, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
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11pm, and still no sign of Dick
It seems Panto Season is coming a wee bit early to us here in Brownhills, as Aldridge Musical Comedy Society stage their latest show, ‘Dick Whittington and the Return of the Rat’ from Thursday 21st November to Saturday 23rd inclusive.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger 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 Aldridge, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society, amateur dramatics, Anthony N Britt, Brownhills, Clayhanger, community school, Dick Whittington, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, pantomime, Return of the rat, Show, Silly, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Wood
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Not quite Halloween…
I had this publicity request in from Collette Mumford from Norton Canes Music and Drama Society – the group has a great reputation for local performances, and they’ve got a show on tonight.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2013, 25th October, amdram, Colette Mumford, Collette Mumford, entertainment, Events, Lichfield, Musical, NCMDS, Norton Canes high School, Norton Canes Music and Drama Society, Not Quite Halloween, play, Staffordshire, Theatre, Things to do
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Best Footloose forward!
This is just a reminder to fans of the wonderfully talented Brownhills Musical Theatre Company that they’re rehearsing hard for their production of “Footloose’, which commences it’s run at Brownhills Community School Theatre next Wednesday.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Ant Motton, Brownhills, Brownhills Community School, Events, Facebook, Footloose, Jamie Norgrove, Lichfield, local blogs, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Redlock photography, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
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The lights that shone bright in the Blackout
On the continuing theme of wartime Brownhills, air raids and the social upheaval that went with all that, I dug into the newspaper archives for examples of people fined for breaking the lights-out rules.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1940, air raid., bicycle light, bike, Blackout, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cycle rides, cycling, David Oakley, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, offences, petty sessions, Staffordshire, summons, Walsall Wood, war
14 Comments
Strike up the band!
This is a huge post, but it’s just so wonderful I couldn’t butcher it – Wendy Jones has been working hard and supplying me with loads of material relating to her time in the Burntwood Blue Birds Marching Jazz Band.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Blue Birds, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burntwood, Cannock, Carnival, Chase Wakes, Chasewater, cinefilm, Competition, Events, Facebook, Jazz bands, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, marching bands, mini-train, New Photos, Parade, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Take me Higher, Things to do, Wendy Jones
7 Comments
The march of time
I think it’s fair to say that in writing and curating this blog, fate occasionally turns up some remarkable material – whatever else this thing I labour over has done, it has actually seemed to have connected people to their history, and on rare occasions it has put back in touch people who were once familiar, but became separated by time or distance.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Blue Birds, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burntwood, Cannock, Carnival, Chase Wakes, Chasewater, cinefilm, Competition, Events, Facebook, Jazz bands, local blogs, Local History, marching bands, mini-train, New Photos, Parade, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Take me Higher, Things to do, Wendy Jones
5 Comments
Everybody cut footloose!
Friend of the blog and stalwart of Brownhills Musical Theatre Company Jamie Norgrove has dropped me a line to advertise the group’s next show, Footloose.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Community School, Events, Facebook, Footloose, Jamie Norgrove, Lichfield, local blogs, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
2 Comments
Local or distant?
This is nice, quick one that came in at the weekend from reader and friend of the Brownhills Blog, Stuart Cowley, whose passion is Marching Jazz Bands and their history…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1936, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Sylvians, Carnival, Competition, Events, Jazz bands, local blogs, Local History, marching bands, New Photos, Parade, Riverway, Stafford, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Past Track, Stuart Cowley, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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Crowning glory
I’m sure you’ll remember that way back, I featured some recordings of live Jazz being played at the Crown pub in Brownhills West, by amongst others, Ken Rattenbury, Paul and Fred Degville – very respected musicians -this was lifted from a reel to reel recording of Meanwhile, Down at the Local, a program then broadcast by BBC Radio Birmingham.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1970's, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, community, Ferrograph, Fred Degville, Ian, Jazz, Ken Rattenbury, Local History, local music, New Photos, Norman Pritchard, Paul Degville, PaulDegville, Peter Barker, Pubs, Staffordshire, The Crown
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Some Mummers do have ’em
There is a long tradition in British history of Mummer’s Plays – folkloric parables, stories and satires – performed for the benefit of the working classes by mostly itinerant actors and Walsall has seen a revival of this very old tradition in recent years with the plays written by former Walsall Wood teacher and local arts supremo Dave Calcutt.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1st September, 2013, 31st August, amateur dramatics, Bayards Colts, Bloxwich, Bloxwich Telegraph, Bookmark Theatre, Dave Calcutt, Events, free, Glen Buglass, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mummers, Night Market, Performance, Robin Hood and the Giant, Saturday, Silly, Staffordshire, Street Theatre, Stuart Williams, Sunday, The Cart Before The Horse, Theatre, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Live music and fun in Walsall Wood today!
I became aware at the Brownhills Music Festival last weekend that there’s another live music and fun event happening locally today, Bank Holiday Monday (26th August 2013) – It’s taking place at the Horse and Jockey, Walsall Wood, a pub I’m really hearing great things about of late.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, appeal, bank holiday, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Darkness Is Blinding, Events, Facebook, fun day, fundraiser, Horse and Jockey, kaitlyn Aish, Lichfield, Mini, Monday, No Fences, Peter Aish, Pubs, Shire Oak, Things to do, Under a Banner, Walsall Wood, We have Never the last Breath, Woodstock
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Another family fun day – this Saturday!
Here’s one for the diary, sent in by reader and friend of the Brownhills Blog, Peter Killops – Peter would like to alert readers to a Family Fun Day at St Thomas Church, Aldridge, this Saturday, 24th August 2013, from 12 noon until 4:30pm.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Barbecue, Church, Events, Family Fun Day, Fete, Kingshayes Road, Lazy Hill, Peter Killops, Shire Oak, ST. Thomas, Stonnall, table top sale, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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More live music & fun this Bank Holiday Monday
I became aware at the Brownhills Music Festival last weekend that there’s another live music and fun event happening locally this coming Bank Holiday Monday (26th August 2013) – It’s taking place at the Horse and Jockey, Walsall Wood, a pub I’m really hearing great things about of late.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, appeal, bank holiday, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Darkness Is Blinding, Events, Facebook, fun day, fundraiser, Horse and Jockey, kaitlyn Aish, Lichfield, Mini, Monday, No Fences, Peter Aish, Pubs, Shire Oak, Things to do, Under a Banner, Walsall Wood, We have Never the last Breath, Woodstock
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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
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Brownhills Music Festival 2013 – The stage is set
Well, it’s all done and dusted, they’re setting up and Brownhills is ready for it’s first music festival in decades – It’s going to be a grand day out for all, with great music, beer and good company throughout from 12 noon, Saturday, 17th August 2013.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, 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, Lichfield, live music, Livewire, Local, local blogs, Local History, music, New Photos, Parking, Paul Green, planning, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, sponsor, support, The Arkhamists, The Assist, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
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Brownhills Music Festival 2013 – Not far away
It’s getting closer – the Brownhills Music Festival will be taking place throughout the day at The Shire Oak pub, Shire Oak crossroads, Brownhills (or Walsall Wood if you please), next weekend on Saturday 17th August 2013.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, 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, 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
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5, 4, 3, 2, 1… get set for great music tonight!
Here’s a late one from reader, community activist and Clayhnager Kid Brian Stringer – Brian has pointed out that there’s a chance tonight to see Paul Jones (I believe this is the legendary leader of Manfred Mann) at St. James Church tonight.
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Eine kleine Nachtmarket
Well, it was a balmy summer evening, and the atmosphere was carnival-like and relaxed. There were loads more stalls than last time, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2013, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, July, Market, New Photos, Night, Night Market, pictures, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Walsall Night Market tonight!
This is a quick post to highlight the fact that Walsall’s award-winning Night Market is to return this week, on Thursday evening in the town centre 5pm to 9pm.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged entertainment, Events, food, Lichfield, Night Market, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Town Centre
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Walsall Night Market this Thursday!
This is a quick post to highlight the fact that Walsall’s award-winning Night Market is to return this week, on Thursday evening in the town centre 5pm to 9pm.
href=”https://brownhillsbob.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/wpid-photo-23-jul-2013-0102-pm.jpg”>< Continue reading
More music…
This Sunday 21st July 2013, the Chuckery Festival finishes in spectacular style – from 12pm to 6pm, there will be another afternoon of great live music at the Bandstand in Walsall Arboretum, and what’s more, it’s free.
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Plenty of folk on bikes today, which was good to see[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2013, Adam and Dan, arboretum, Bandstand, Big Gig, Chuckery Festival, Colin walker, Events, Fat Lip, free, fun, Gabbidon, gig, Grey Goose Blues Band, Lichfield, live music, Nick Coyne, Summer, The Lock In, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Jazz Orchestra
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Brownhills Music Festival 2013 – Running order announced
The running order of the Brownhills Music Festival has just been announced – this is the free event which will be taking place throughout the day at The Shire Oak pub, Brownhills, on the 17th August 2013 features something for everyone, and it all takes place around and inside a great local pub with excellent ale and friendly locals.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, 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, 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
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Jammin’ – pictures from Our Big Gig
Well, I nearly missed it due to other commitments, and like the Bands on the Beacon, I arrived late, but Our Big Gig in Walsall Arboretum this afternoon was brilliant – I can honestly say it was a cracking event the restored Arboretum basked in the sunshine, and Walsall, in all it’s diversity, came out to enjoy an afternoon of music and fun.
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Dalbir sings Jessie J whilst giving Table pro tips to a young apprentice[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arboretum, Aziz, Bandstand, Barry Hunt, Bruno Edwards, Cycle rides, cycling, Dalbir, Events, fun day, Jam, Kate Goodall, kids, local blogs, Local politics, Marathon, music, New Photos, pictures, planning, Redevelopment, Samantha Jayne, Walsall
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