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Category Archives: Local music
If you’ve a song to sing, sing out!
The Young David Evans – working with a number of sources, including the Fullelove family and members of the Choral Society – continues his meticulous and fascinating documentation of the history of the noted, famous and popular Brownhills Co-operative Choral Society.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged balladeer, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, George Fullelove, Langford, Local History, Master, New Photos, Peake, Plaque, Preece, Road, Silver Street Methodist Church, Singer, Staffordshire, Things to do, Waine, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Come to our big gig!
Following the massive success of Bands on the Beacon a couple of weeks ago, the summer of great open-air music in Walsall continues today, Sunday July 14th 2013 with The Big Gig in Walsall Arboretum
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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 arboretum, Aziz Ibrahim, Bandstand, Bandstand Marathon, Barry Hunt, Big Gig, Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Events, free, gig, Kate Goodall, Leafwing, Lichfield, live music, Open Mic, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands Police Brass Band
2 Comments
Chuckery Festival on too!
Thanks again to council whiz Kate Goodall for bringing this fine festival happening next week to my attention – along with Caldmore, Chuckery is one of my favourite bits of Walsall and has, to put it mildly, a banging community spirit, with a very diverse community.
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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 2013, Chuckery Festival, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fun, Paddock, Summer, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
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The Summer of Fun continues…
Thanks again to council whiz Kate Goodall for bringing this fine festival happening next week to my attention – along with Caldmore, Chuckery is one of my favourite bits of Walsall and has, to put it mildly, a banging community spirit, with a very diverse community.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, 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 2013, Chuckery Festival, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fun, Kate Goodall, Paddock, Summer, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
3 Comments
The spirit of radio
Here’s an interesting piece from reader and friend of the blog Stuart Cowley – I spent my teenage years glued to Beacon and miss it’s old, original incarnation terribly before the days of playlists and targeted marketing, the station was radical, quirky and had real Black Country personality.
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Posted in Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 303, 70's, 80's, 90s, BBC, Beacon, Carl Chinn, Dick Sheppard, Don Maclean, Hospital, Jacqui de Creed, Lions, Local, Local adio, Local History, local music, media, Radio, Stuart Cowley, Things to do
14 Comments
To be in England, in the summertime
Another day, another great ride – I headed out early afternoon, firstly to Chasewater then on to Lichfield and the festival market, then from the busy city, I headed to the quiet of the east Staffordshire countryside – Whittington, Croxall, Walton, Rosliston, Lullington, Harlaston and back via Wall.
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Pipe Hill poppies[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, Harlaston, Lichfield, Lichfield Festival Market, Lullington, New Photos, Panoramio, Pipe Hill, poppies, Reservoir, River Trent, Rosliston, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wakeboard, Wakelake, Walton, Walton on Trent, WHittington, Wildlife
9 Comments
Have you seen The Wedding Singer?
A lady by the name of Colette Mumford has mailed me the following flyer late this afternoon, in answer to my offer to publicise weekend events – sadly, you’ve missed the first two performances of The Wedding Singer by Norton Canes Music and Drama Society, but it’s on tomorrow night, too.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged amdram, Colette Mumford, entertainment, Events, July 2013, Lichfield, Musical, Norton Canes high School, Norton Canes Music and Drama Society, play, Staffordshire, The Wedding Singer, Things to do
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Singing Was Their Forte
The wonderful Ian Pell has sent me a great contribution relating to Brownhills Choral Society – This is unusual for Ian, as his regular field is transport history, Ian, you’ll recall, has written lots of great articles about the railways of our area.
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 Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, George Fullelove, Langford, Local History, Master, New Photos, Plaque, Road, Silver Street Methodist Church, Singer, Staffordshire, Starbuck, Things to do, Walsall Wood
11 Comments
Songs to sing, and voices to sing them
That there Young David Evans has been a busy man – not just with his comments, explorations of The Wood’s watercourses, or even his pursuit of squeezing great memories from David Oakley – no, David has thrown himself into researching George Fullelove, the great musical son of Brownhills, the Choral Society he was an exponent of, and the rich and surprising choral culture locally.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged balladeer, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, George Fullelove, Langford, Local History, Master, New Photos, Peake, Plaque, Preece, Road, Silver Street Methodist Church, Singer, Staffordshire, Starbuck, Things to do, Waine, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Bands on the Beacon today!
It’s turning into a real summer of live music – Sunday 30th June is Bands on the Beacon, and event that’s been sadly under my radar until this year, and with the project is now in it’s fourth year it has a whole bunch of avid devotees from all over the Midlands, who come to Walsall’s highest spot for free music and fun.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Aldridge, Aziz, Bands on the Beacon, Barr Beacon Country Park, Chaos Parade, concert, Conviviality, Cower, Cower Hounds, Darkness Is Blinding, Events, Facebook, free, Hounds!, Into the Shadows, Khalique, Klasside, Knoxville Highway, Lichfield, local blogs, Motorcity String Band, music, Soul Weaver, Stems, Things to do, Tim Philpot, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife
2 Comments
Bloxwich Party in the Park – On today!
Julie Handley contacted me about this live event going down in Bloxwich this weekend, taking place all day Saturday, and there’s some cracking bands on, as well as loads of other attractions for folk of all ages.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Bloxwich, Bloxwich Telegraph, Enticement, Events, Facebook, fair, Fayre, G Bag, Grey Goose Band, Julie Handley, Live bands, local blogs, music, Owamya, Owd yer Hosse’s, Party in the Park, Scarbelly Blues Band, Stash Band, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Coast Blues
1 Comment
Loud, amplified grumbling
These days, I’ve come to realise that however old I get, this town will never cease to amaze me – just when you think you’ve seen it all, something rolls up, pokes you in the belly and blows raspberries at you.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Casual Agenda, David Young, entertainment, Events, Facebook, Festival, free, fun, gig, help, James Bates, Leaflet, Letter, Lichfield, live music, Livewire, Local, local blogs, Local History, Loud amplified music, music, New Photos, Parking, Paul Green, planning, Pubs, Real Ale, Shire Oak, sponsor, support, The Arkhamists, The Assist, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
25 Comments
Pictures from Brownhills Canal Festival 2013
I have to say, the weather was dire, and I didn’t arrive until late, but there was much to like about the Brownhills Canal Festival today – I don’t know if it was the poor weather or what, but there seemed a tad more atmosphere to it than usual, and I did genuinely enjoy pottering around.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2013, Brownhillls, Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Festival, New Photos, Panoramio, Tesco, Things to do
9 Comments
Reality check. Can we all grow up a bit please?
I see today, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership is pushing their Summer Festival in the town by sharing links on Facebook to an oddly-formatted document scan of their promo leaflet, which seems pretty much Facebook only.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 22 June, 23 June, Brownhills, Brownhills anal Festival, Brownhills Local Committee, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills Town Festival, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, Silly, The YamYam, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
It’s festival weekend in Brownhills!
This weekend, we not only have the Brownhills Canal Festival on Sunday (June 23rd 2013), but Brownhills Town Centre Partnership and Walsall Council are running Browhills Town Festival the day before (Saturday, 22nd June 2013).
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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 22, 23, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Brownhills Town Festival, Canal, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June, june 23rd, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Richard Lee, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Pictures from Pelsall Canal Festival 2013
Well, the weather behaved, mostly – a couple of sharp showers and a strong wind couldn’t dampen spirits with loads of stalls, activities, people and boats – Pelsall Canal Festival was a great afternoon out.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2013, bad weather, boaters, Boats, Brenda Ward, Canal, canal festival, Cheese Boat, Cycle rides, Events, Narrowboats, New Photos, Panoramio, Pelsall, Pelsall Canal Festival, Pelsall North Common, Rain
15 Comments
Pelsall Canal Festival – on all this weekend!
Good friend of the blog Brenda Ward has been in touch to let me know that Pelsall Canal Festival takes place all this weekend, 15th & 16th June 2013 – I attended the last one in 2011, and despite some indifferent, blustery weather it was a great occasion that was well organised with plenty of great attractions for all the family.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Boats, Canal, Cycle rides, Events, local blogs, Moxley, Narrowboats, New Photos, Panoramio, Pelsall, Pelsall Canal Festival
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Choir mastery
Here’s one I’ve mentioned before, but this is a request for information and an early warning – this one is important, and very, very elusive, but I think we should preserve this bit of Brownhills History for posterity, and so that it is not lost – it’s a beautiful thing, and not enough folk know about it.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged balladeer, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, Clayhanger, David Evans, George Fullelove, Local History, Master, New Photos, Plaque, Road, Shelter, Silver Street Methodist Church, Singer, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, was yer further a miner
9 Comments
Pelsall Canal Festival – are you going?
Good friend of the blog Brenda Ward has been in touch to let me know that Pelsall Canal Festival takes place the weekend after next, 15th & 16th June 2013 – I attended the last one in 2011, and despite some indifferent, blustery weather it was a great occasion that was well organised with plenty of great attractions for all the family.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged Boats, Canal, Cycle rides, Events, local blogs, Moxley, Narrowboats, New Photos, Panoramio, Pelsall, Pelsall Canal Festival
8 Comments
On our way to Woodstock…
Hi Folks. It seems there’s a music event going on today at the Horse & Jockey in Walsall Wood.
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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, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Events, Facebook, Horse and Jockey, Lichfield, Music Festival, Pubs, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Woodstock
1 Comment
We all stand together – at Caldmore Village Festival
In light of recent events, I think it’s really important that we get behind stuff that bonds us good folk and our communities together, and one such event is the Caldmore Village Festival which has been running for a good few years now and just gets better and better – and nothing tells those that would divide and harm us ‘Up yours!’ more assertively that getting together and having a good time.
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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 a taste of Caldmore, Caldmore, celebration, diamond jubilee festival, Events, Facebook, food, local blogs, music, party, planning, things to see and do, Village Festival, Walsall, Walsall Council
5 Comments
A place to dance, play and talk
rownhills, it’s sometimes hard to believe, has a great history of clubs, societies and recreation, particularly in the early part of the last century – we’ve looked here before at sports days, musical clubs and festivals, amateur dramatics and other pastimes, many of which couldn’t have occurred without the great facility that is Brownhills Memorial Hall.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Memorial Hall, Brownhills stuff, Clive Roberts, David Evans, football, Foundation, Fun stuff to see and do, Harrison, local blogs, Local media, local music, Memo, Memorial Hall, Shared media, Social media, Stone, The Memo
19 Comments
Brownhills Canal Festival 2013 – 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, but as usual, it seems to be Brownhills’ best kept secret.
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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 Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, june 23rd, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Richard Lee, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Consider yourself… lucky to get a ticket
I nearly missed this, as nobody from Brownhills Musical Theatre Company sent me the publicity for their current production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, currently being staged at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
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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, Events, Facebook, Garrick, Jamie Norgrove, Lichfield, Lionel Bart, local blogs, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Oliver!, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
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Brownhills Music Festival 2013 – can you help a great event?
The Brownhills Music Festival will be taking place throughout the day at The Shire Oak pub, Brownhills, on the 17th August 2013 – there will be 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
16 Comments
Eclectic landladies
Here’s an interesting quick one spotted in a recent addition to the archives Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler spotted this group photo in the Lichfield Mercury, of Friday, 7th November 1952.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1952, Ball, Brownhills, Brownhills and District Licensed Trade Association Ladies' Auxiliary, Brownhills local history, Dance, Dinner, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Staffordshire, Things to do
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The Kaleidoscope
Oh dear – that Young David Evans has come over a bit gooey and sentimental onus – could it be springtime, and a man’s fancy turning?
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, David Evans, Local History, Memory, Pubs, recollections, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Do something rasher…
Readers of my 365daysofbiking journal will remember that last year, I was fascinated by the fine pigs being kept on the smallholding on the patch of land between the A5 and canal at Newtown, Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Big Tasties, Brownhills, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, free range, New Photos, Newtown, Night Market, piggery, pigs, sheep, Silly, Slow Loaf, smallholding, Tan Rosie, The Gables, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Watling Street
2 Comments
Charity Dance in Aldridge this evening – possibly.
I’ve been asked to promote the following event in Aldridge this evening, and it looks like a fine thing indeed. However, I’m unsure if it’s going to be cancelled or to, so if you fancy it, please contact the club on 01922 866545 before setting out.
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Posted in Environment, Events, 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 Aldridge, Charity Dance, Dance Through The Years, Events, Social Club, SSAFA, Things to do, ugly bug ball
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Bless this tiny house
Many of us may not have noticed the diminutive House of Prayer in Coppice Road, Walsall Wood. In my lifetime, I don’t think it was ever a place of worship; I remember it being used as another add-on yard for the ubiquitous Ken Hodges Builder’s merchants, and when that closed, being converted into a private residence.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged AH Craddock, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chapel, Church, Clayhanger, Coppice Road, Croddock, David Evans, David Oakley, Ken Hodges, Local History, Methodism, New Photos, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, The House of Prayer, Walsall Wood
19 Comments
A request from the Degville Family
A touching and lovely message comes to me from Jackie and Sammie Degville, who are undertaking the race for life in aid of Cancer Research in honour of their beloved husband and father Paul Degville, who died following a protracted battle with the illness in January.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, 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
Tagged 1970's, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cancer Research, community, death, Donate, Fred Degville, fund raising, Ian, Ian Bourne, Jackie, Jazz, Just Giving, Local History, local music, memoriam, Memory, New Photos, passed away, passing, Paul Degville, PaulDegville, Pubs, Race for Life, Sammie, sponsor, Staffordshire, The Crown, Wheatsheaf
4 Comments
Marching on
I’ve had a blistering article mailed in from reader and friend of the Brownhills Blog, Stuart Cowley. Stuart, you’ll recall, has written and supplied some great material on the subject of Chasewater, and his pictures and recollections of the cafe there have been very popular.
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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 bilston, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cannock, Carnival, Chase Royals, Chasewater, cinefilm, Competition, Events, Facebook, Heath Hayes, Jazz bands, local blogs, Local History, marching bands, New Photos, Parade, Polesworth, Rawnsley, Rushall, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Tameworth, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Red Caps, Ynysowen youth band
87 Comments
Over the water
Here’s a great post from top reader a contributor David Evans, who’s something of an expert on the history of Methodism in the area. Over the course of last Christmas, the question of the religion and it’s chapels in Norton came to the fore.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, 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 Bethel, Brownhills, Chapel, circuit, Conduit Colliery, Conduit Pit, David Evans, Local History, Methodism, Methodism in Norton Canes, Methodist, Minister, ministry, New Photos, Norton Canes, planning, Prims, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tin Tabernacle, Trinity, Walsall Wood, Wesleyan, Wilfred J Hill
15 Comments
Rhythm and Romance this weekend!
Hot on the heels of Whistle Stop West End, their hugely successful show last October, Brownhills Musical Theatre Company have been in touch to tell me that there’s a great show planned for next week, Rhythm and Romance, a concert showcase of music from the Great American Songbook.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, Deakin Avenue, Events, Facebook, Jamie Norgrove, local blogs, Matinee, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Theatre, Things to do, tickets, Twitter, Whistle Stop West End
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Musical youth
Here’s an odd one I’ve been meaning to sneak in for some time here on the blog. Readers and top contributors David Evans and Pedro Cutler regularly muse over the newspaper archives, and have found this gem from The Lichfield Mercury in 1903.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Central School, choir, Choral, Clayhanger, concert, David Evans, Fredericks, Harrison, Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Glee Union, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Nevill, Perkins, Redfern, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
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Time for a little Rhythm and Romance…
Hot on the heels of Whistle Stop West End, their hugely successful show last October, Brownhills Musical Theatre Company have been in touch to tell me that there’s a great show planned for next week, Rhythm and Romance, a concert showcase of music from the Great American Songbook.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, Deakin Avenue, Events, Facebook, Jamie Norgrove, local blogs, Matinee, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Theatre, Things to do, tickets, Twitter, Whistle Stop West End
2 Comments
Urgent help required
There’s something of dire social importance going on in Walsall right now. It’s cold, and people are on the streets. In town, there are a group of people working to help the displaced, the lost and the lonely. Please help them all you can.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local music, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged appeal, bad weather, Events, Facebook, His and Lows, Homeless, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, Shelter, Snow, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Winter
8 Comments
In memorial: Paul Degville
Following on from the sad news of the passing of Paul Degville, Ian Bourne has been back in touch to ask if I’d let readers know about a memorial service taking place on the 23rd January in Ledbury, and to thank readers for their kind wishes and memories.
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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, All Angels, BBC, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, community, David Danks, death, Ferrograph, Fred Degville, Hereford and Worcerster, Ian, Ian Bourne, Jazz, Ken Rattenbury, Ledbury, Local History, local music, memorial, New Photos, Norman Pritchard, passed away, passing, Paul Degville, PaulDegville, Peter Barker, Pubs, Service, St Michael, Staffordshire, The Crown, Wheatsheaf
7 Comments
A sad announcement
A few people have contacted me now to inform me of the sad passing of Paul Degville. Paul was a great musician and his music played a fascinating part in Brownhills musical history.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1970's, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, community, David Danks, death, Ferrograph, Fred Degville, Ian, Ian Bourne, Jazz, Ken Rattenbury, Local History, local music, New Photos, Norman Pritchard, passed away, passing, Paul Degville, PaulDegville, Peter Barker, Pubs, Staffordshire, The Crown, Wheatsheaf
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Friezland Lane Working Men’s Club: help needed!
Reader Ant Hill got in touch a week ago (sorry about the delay…) and asked the following question:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, Friezland Lane, Local History, mans, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, working
67 Comments
Calling time
I noticed at the weekend that a The White Horse pub, just off the A5 in Brownhills, is vacant and up for sale. Sad, really, in it’s day it was a fine house and a good pint. Latterly, it wasn’t so great, but I’d hate to see it go.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local music, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Daltons, Derelict, For Sale, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, The Struggling Monkey, The Whit Horse, Vacant
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Bandstand Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum today!
Both Ian Morton-Jones and Kate Goodall contacted me this week to ask me to plug the Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum. It is to be held in the newly refurbished bandstand today, Saturday 15th December 2012, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. It’s free, and will make for a welcome, relaxing break from Christmas shopping.
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
2 Comments
Conundra arising
Right, you lot. I’ve had some interesting enquiries in recent weeks and rather than spin them all out, I thought I’d post three together and see what folk know about them. I know you mostly like a challenge, and flushed with the success that was the puzzle of The Grange from last week, everyone should be on a roll…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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 Anne Bradbury, Bonita Clayton, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills UDC, Bryan Blumer, Caleb Smith, Chase Inn, Chasewater, concrete, Emma Smith, Facebook, Iron dish, Irondish, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, play equipment, Pubs, Reservoir, Sculptor, sculpture, Shelfield, Staffordshire, Things to do, Urban District Council, Walsall Wood, Watling Street
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Calling all urchins!
Jamie Norgrove contacted me from Brownhills Musical Theatre Company a couple of days ago to ask if I’d put out this appeal for young lads to take part in the company’s production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, to be staged at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
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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 Audition, boys, Brownhills, Brownhills School, Deakin Avenue, Events, Facebook, Garrick, Jamie Norgrove, Lichfield, Lionel Bart, local blogs, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Oliver!, Theatre, Things to do, Twitter
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Walsall Wood 1911, before and beyond
This article is the fourth – and final (at least until the 1921 census comes out…) part of blog reader, commentator and top contributor David Evans’ ongoing project to chart the growth of Walsall Wood just over a century ago. The first, second, and third instalments in the series have been published in the last two months, and generated quite a bit of debate and interest.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, 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, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911, Batkins, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Census, colliery, David Evans, Grocer, growth, Headleys, health, history, Local History, pit, population, Pubs, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, store, teacher, Walsall Wood
21 Comments
An Autumn Winter Affair…
I notice that this Sunday, 4th November 2012, there’s a rather fun looking vintage event being staged at Chasewater Railway by Burntwood-based Always Red Events.
The inaugural event last June was a whole bunch of fun and I enjoyed it immensely. This one promises to be even better, so why not get down there and join in the fun?
I’ll leave the organisers to tell you all about it. I’ll certainly be checking it out…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1940s, 40s, 4th November 2012, Always Red Events, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Railway, Events, Facebook, New Photos, nostalgia, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, Twitter, Vintage Event, We'll Meet Again
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All aboard for Whistle Stop West End!
I repeat the below post for the benefit of Brownhills Musical Theatre Company. Their show is on this week – tickets still available – and they’re getting rave reviews. Please, if you can, pop along. It’s a great show from a very talented collective.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, Deakin Avenue, Events, Facebook, Jamie Norgrove, local blogs, Matinee, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Theatre, Things to do, tickets, Twitter, Whistle Stop West End
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All aboard for Whistle Stop West End!
Jamie Norgrove, from Brownhills Musical Theatre Company has been in touch, to tell me that there’s a great show planned for next week, the 22nd-27th October 2012, at The Theatre at Brownhills School, Deakin Avenue, Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, Deakin Avenue, Events, Facebook, Jamie Norgrove, local blogs, Matinee, MTC, Musical Theatre Company, musicals, Theatre, Things to do, tickets, Twitter, Whistle Stop West End
3 Comments
Fun day at Brownhills West tomorrow!
I notice from Twatter that Walsall Area Partnerships have a fun day running in Kennet Close, Brownhills West, tomorrow Sunday 16th September 2012. There’s also an open event at the refurbished Brownhills West Community Hub at 92, Cherwell Drive, too. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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 activities, Brownhills, Cherwell Drive, Events, fun day, Jackie Hewitt, Kennet Close, Local Area Partnership, local blogs, Local politics, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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