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Category Archives: Local politics
Latest bin collection information – October 2014
I’ve long held that if you want to start a revolution in the UK, just disrupt refuse collections, so this is a headsup for everyone in the local area – there’s a new issue of the refuse collection and recycling leaflet out now with a collection calendar, recycling guide and other information.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Aldridge, bin collections, Bins, Brownhills, Christmas, Clayhanger, collection, collection day, Events, household waste, information, Leaflet, Local politics, new, Recycling, Refuse, rubbish, schedule, Silly, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Brownhills Christmas market: more stalls invited!
I’m running this again as the Brownhills Town Centre Partnership are really trying to plug their Christmas Market project, and I wholly support them – it’s a cracking idea, but they need to attract as many stalls as possible.
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Just a normal day in Brownhills….[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries
Tagged 14th december 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Evens, Brownhills Christmas Windows, Christmas Fair, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Christmas tree festival, Cradle Club, Craft Club, Donkeys, Festivity, Ice Rink, Nicky Rolls, Ravens Court, Santa Special, Shop Local, Shop smart, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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All hands to the pump!
It’s really getting busy for top local history wonks Dave Moore, Chris Pattison and their Freinds of Sandfields Pumping Station campaign group, who seem to be really getting somewhere with this fantastic Victorian edifice; not only has their attention prompted the fixing of the roof recently, but the listing status of the building is now under review too.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 25th October, 30th October, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Discovered, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, The Cruck House, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
2 Comments
Walsall Wood Councillor Mike Flower to stand down at next election
It’s with some surprise that I noted a post on the long dormant blog of Walsall Wood Councillor Mike Flower yesterday lunchtime, announcing that at the next election, he was to stand down.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Burger Boy, Conservative, Councillor, down, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Flower, Politics, Shire Oak, step, Tory, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Building your new transport network… in 1974
I’m hoping some of the bus and rail enthusiasts can help with this one – a few weeks ago I picked up a 40 year old bus route map for Walsall, Aldridge Lichfield, Brownhills and Cannock, and it’s an interesting little time capsule all of it’s own.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1974, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Clayhanger, free, Harpers, Leaflet, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, map, Midland Red, Old maps, Passenger Transport Executive, Politics, PTE, public transport, Rail, scan, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, West Midlands, WMPTE
4 Comments
A Christmas market for Brownhills?
I’ve had the following press release in from Walsall Council, and I think this is a really, really good idea – a two-day Christmas market planned for Brownhills over the weekend of 13-14 December 2014, and the council are appealing for stallholders.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries
Tagged 14th december 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Evens, Brownhills Christmas Windows, Christmas Fair, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Christmas tree festival, Cradle Club, Craft Club, Donkeys, Festivity, Ice Rink, Nicky Rolls, Ravens Court, Santa Special, Shop Local, Shop smart, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Very hard to build up, easy as hell to tear down
This is just a note to flag up a remarkable piece of writing by ex-Walsall resident, blogger and new dad Rich Johnstone, a chap who I’ve always found to be an excellent writer, thoroughly decent human and good online pal.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Cheap tat, creativity, Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, negativity, Politics, postivity, Rich Johnstone, Silly, Social media, TheFabMrJ, Walsall politics
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Plan for 200 new homes in central Brownhills approved
Way back in April this year, I first noted the consultation and plan to finally redevelop the wasteland in Brownhills that was once Silver Court Gardens, the notorious tenement maisonette estate that was demolished in 2004, into over 100 dwellings.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 14/0767/FL, 14/0771/OL, 157, 40, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, dwellings, Environment, Events, Facebook, Fun stuff to see and do, gardens, homes, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, Market Place, new houses, News, phased, planning, Planning application, planning interactive, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Shared media, Silver, Spotted whilst browsing the web, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
2 Comments
Flower power
I’m pleased to note that Brownhills this year won a Silver Gilt Award in the ‘Heart of England in Bloom’ competition – not the kind of thing you’d normally associate with Brownhills, but year after year, the floral displays here have been improving, and this year they looked wonderful.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aldridge, Britain in Bloom, Brownhills, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Things to do, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council
2 Comments
The Acropolis cafe shuts; Middle Oak to close and B&M to open in Focus, Aldridge
Just a heads up on some local taking points I’ve had buzzing around for a couple of days now – A few readers including David Evans and Martin Littler have pointed out the longstanding Ravens Court cafe The Acroplolis seems to have closed down.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, 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 2014, application, B&M, Big K, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, David Evans, Derelict, Events, Focus, for, housing, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Middle, Mike Bird, New Photos, Northgate, Oak, planning, Pubs, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Royal, sale, Shire Oak, sold, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Consultation event in Brownhills this Wednesday!
This Wednesday, 3rd September 2014 from 10am-12pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event in Brownhills Library at The Parkview Centre in Brownhills. Everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 3 September, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, have your say, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Saving Sandfields – August meeting tonight
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues to garner support. Local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 26th August, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Discovered, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, The Cruck House, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
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You can’t trust all you read in the paper…
Whew – panic over Yesterday, following a report in the Express & Star, I wrote of my concern that the old leisure centre at Oak Park in Walsall Wood would be demolished before a new one was built to replace it.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Demolition, man?
There was an interesting report in Monday’s Express & Star (18th August 2014) which points out the project to replace Oak Park leisure centre in Walsall Wood and the similar facility in Bloxwich is to start ‘next month’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Aspirational my backside
I noticed in early summer that someone had been undertaking clearance work on a site near Brownhills, just down the Chester Road to the south of Shire Oak Nature Reserve, and was curious about it – it now seems that my question has been answered.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 14/0910/FL, application, Aspirational, astlehill, block, Brownhills, Chester Road, Derelict, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Upper Stonnall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Works
12 Comments
Brownhills British Legion First World War commemorative event this morning
Friend of the blog and top bloke Martin Littler pointed out on Facebook yesterday, that this morning (Monday, 4th August 2014) there will be a First World War commemorative event in Brownhills.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 4 August 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Conflict, Events, first, Great, Local History, Martin Littler, memorial, Moday, Remembrance, Royal, Royal British Legion, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, war, world
1 Comment
World War One Centenary events in Walsall this Monday
As you will no doubt be aware, it’s the centenary of our entry into World War One on Monday, 4th August 2014, and Walsall Council and other organisations in the borough have arranged some interesting, respectful and well considered events to mark the 100 years.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 4 August 2014, Brownhills local history, Cecil Burton, Conflict, David Evans, Events, first, folly, Great, Harry Patch, Levi Cooper, Local History, memorial, Moday, Peter Cutler, Remembrance, Royal British Legion, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, war, world
3 Comments
You can’t bank on it
There has been a fair amount of dismay and disbelief locally in response to the decision of Barclays Bank to close their branch in Brownhills, which will apparently cease trading on Friday, 24th October 2014.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged bank, Barclays, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Closure, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, retaildecline, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
17 Comments
Youth service in Walsall – important meeting tonight!
I note that Walsall Council have a scrutiny meeting this evening on the vexed matter of the Integrated Young People’s Support Service – that’s pretty much anything the council provides for kids and young people, including youth justice, targeted support, youth centres, the Education Business Partnership and parent partnership services.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
1 Comment
Safe as houses?
I’m pleased to say that, somewhat like rust, Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler never sleeps, and his tireless and somewhat relentless pursuit of the evidential history behind some of the commonly accepted ‘authoritative sources’ of local mining history continues unabated.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Bill May, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills UDC, Brownhills Urban District Council, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, CCMHS, Election, estate, hall, john, Local History, Mick Drury, Morton House, Norton, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, William, William Harrison, William ROberts
3 Comments
Saving Sandfields – monthly public meeting tonight
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues to garner support – local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 27th, beam, campaign, Curborough Community Centre, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, June, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
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Please help Brownhills bloom!
Brownhills Town Centre Partnership have been in touch, and asked me to see if anyone fancies helping out with the Britain in Bloom competition entry from our town, which involves planting, litter picking and general sprucing up.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Local history for a distant son
I thought today I’d just do a small post highlighting a couple of sites that will be of interest to many readers, but mainly to blog stalwart David Oakley, who I sadly gather hasn’t been in the best of health lately.
Posted in Bad Science, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A brief history of Darlaston, Bev Parker, birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Darlaston Remembers, Darlo, David Oakley, fallen, FH Lloyd, GKN, green, industry, Local History, Local politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Staffordshire, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, war memorial, Wilkings and Mitchell
3 Comments
The first victim of Walsall’s political chaos
I was surprised and a bit pleased that Friday’s piece on the political soap opera at Walsall Council received a decent reception and appears to have been quite widely read – but I have to say that there’s a cracking article on the subject been published in the Express & Star today.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Council Election, Dan Wainwright, election results, Express & Star, Leisure Centre, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Oak Park, Politics, repalcement, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
2 Comments
Can you smell fish?
I just thought I’d draw reader attention to the following excellent article published yesterday by the Walsall Advertiser, regarding the fallout from the recent Walsall Council elections, and the struggle for control of our divided authority.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Council Election, election results, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
9 Comments
Friends of Brownhills Common – meeting tonight
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm this evening, Monday 16th June 2014 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception.
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 16th June, 2014, 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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An electoral deformity
It’s interesting to note that Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler is coming over all iconoclastic again – and I, for one, welcome it, as Peter has a fine record of kicking over the statues of the local mining history – particularly in regard the the Harrison colliery dynasty.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldershaw, Aldershawe, Bill May, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills UDC, Brownhills Urban District Council, Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society, CCMHS, Election, estate, hall, john, Local History, Mick Drury, Morton House, Norton, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, William, William Harrison, William ROberts
6 Comments
Application submitted for large Brownhills housing development
It comes I’m sure, as no surprise that Walsall Housing Group (WHG) have been planning a huge new housing development in central Brownhills for some time now – after all, last month I advertised a one-day consultation on plans to build houses on the former site of Silver Court Gardens, behind Silver Court, on land that’s now vacant.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 14/0767/FL, 14/0771/OL, 157, 40, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, dwellings, Environment, Events, Facebook, Fun stuff to see and do, gardens, homes, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, Market Place, new houses, News, phased, planning, Planning application, planning interactive, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Shared media, Silver, Spotted whilst browsing the web, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
3 Comments
Friends of Sandfields – can you help?
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues apace – local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for ages now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged beam, campaign, Darwin Hall Community Asociation, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
2 Comments
Walsall Councillor Tim Oliver: my condolences
I’ve just picked up from Social Media and the Pheseay Park Farm Labour Party blog thet Walsall Labour group Leader and Coucillor for Birchills-Leamore has sadly passed away following a period of illness – my condolences, and I’m sure those of readers, go out to the Oliver family, friends and party comrades.
Posted in Events, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Birchills, comrade, condolences, Councillor, death, died, Events, Group, illness, Labour, Leamore, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, memorial, party, passsed away, Politics, progressive, rest in peace, sympathy, Tim Oliver, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
4 Comments
2014 Walsall local election results – there may be trouble ahead
It’s been a remarkable night for Walsall politics – but it’s a brave person that calls a Walsall result – in a shock result, UKIPs Steve Craddock Took Brownhills, and UKIP candidates also took Willenhall North and Short Heath.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, Aldridge, Aldridge North, Brownhills, Council Election, election results, Local Election, Local politics, Mike Bird, North, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Ward
30 Comments
Ballot dance
I’ve agonised over what to write here for days – it is, of course polling day here in Brownhills and Walsall today, and you get double bubble; not just chance to vote for one of your three councillors, but you get chance to vote for your European MP, too.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Clayhanger, Council, Councillors, Election, European Parliament, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, poll, Shire Oak, The Plastic Hippo, Things to do, UKIP, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
1 Comment
Walsall’s world of work – a chance to share your memories
Again, sorry for the short notice (But I am catching up – I can actually see my keyboard now, which is progress) but this is a very, very important event happening tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, 13th May 2014) for anyone interested in the working and social industrial history of our area.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 13th May, 2014, Black Country Echoes, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd, Events, factories, Festival, history, industry, John Shannon & Sons Ltd, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Owen & Co. Ltd, Redevelopment, Rubery, Staffordshire, Tarantella, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Leather Museum, Walsall politics, work
4 Comments
Redevelopment of Silver Court Gardens – have your say
There’s been loads of buzz since my article last weekend about the new development Walsall Housing Group are considering putting forward for the derelict wasteland that was once Silver Court Gardens in Brownhills – now you can attend the consultation and make your voice heard.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, Events, Facebook, gardens, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, phased, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silver, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
3 Comments
Getting the Bird
Two Brownhills community activists lock horns in the Walsall Advertiser letters page over the subject of Ravens Court – the exchange is interesting, and deserves to be read widely.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Compulsory purchase, Derelict, Events, Facebook, John Bird, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
16 Comments
Silver Court Gardens – a positive development
Hey folks, this is important – I was sent a link to this press release by friend of the blog Sarah Treadwell on Friday, and this it is potentially great news – I’ve known for a while that Walsall Housing Group have been looking to redevelop the land left vacant a decade ago with the demolition of Silver Court Gardens in central Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, Events, Facebook, gardens, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, phased, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silver, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
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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
Pity the poor landlord
Five years ago, when I started this blog, one of the largest looming topics was that of the then proposed new Tesco Store in Brownhills – we’d been through a consultation, and the proposal was to build a large hypermarket fronting the High Street.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 215 Notice, Blofeld, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, sympathy, Tesco, Tesco Development, teve Wade, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
19 Comments
School’s out… or is it?
Due to industrial action by teaching staff, some schools in the area will be closed today, Wednesday 26th March 2014 – to find out the latest information about the status of your school, visit the Walsall Council School Closures webpage here.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Closure, Events, Facebook, industrial action, information, list, NUT, planning, School, schools, Strike, teachers, union, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall School Closures, Walsall Wood
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The final lot
The demolition is by now nearly complete – after 155 years extant, and about 40 of those derelict, the former St John’s School in Walsall Wood has now largely reduced to pallets of bricks and oddments of scrap.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, Cawarden Brick and Tile, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Rugeley, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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Breaking down the walls…
The tenacity and charm of the young David Evans continues to be rewarded, and he has again created great pictorial documentation of the demolition process being undertaken on the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
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We have things in common – we should talk
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm on Monday evening, 17th March 2014 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception.
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 14th March, 2014, 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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Demolition, man
Thanks to the keen eye and subsequent alert by reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the outrageous cheek, charm and loquaciousness of the young David Evans, I can present internal and external shots of the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood, currently undergoing demolition.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Brick by brick
Today, thanks to the eagle eye of reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the dedication and guile of a couple of regular blog readers and contributors, we have managed to catch the last days of a local, doomed landmark: St. John’s School, in Walsall Wood.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Brownhills School: driven to distraction
The ongoing issue of Brownhills School’s withdrawal of community access to it’s facilities rumbled on this week, as the Walsall Advertiser published another excellent report about how the Spotlight Youth Theatre Group were told they’d have to move from the school last December.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, club, community, Doug Birch, Express & Star, facilities, football, governors, Head, Headmistress, Helen Keenan, history, lessons, Letter, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, mining, Report, Richard, School, Shepherd, Silly, Sir, soccer, swimming, trust, Walsall Advertiser, withdrawal
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Brownhills School: Express & Star catches up
Just a quick note to point out that the Express & Star have finally got around to covering the Brownhills School community facilities withdrawal story, with a few extra details.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, club, community, Doug Birch, Express & Star, facilities, football, governors, Head, Headmistress, Helen Keenan, lessons, Letter, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, Report, School, Silly, soccer, swimming, trust, Walsall Advertiser, withdrawal
3 Comments
Brownhills School: News of community facilities withdrawal spreads
Recently, as many readers will be aware, I covered the shocking story of how Brownhills School – formerly Brownhills Community School – has elected to stop all community access to its facilities, resulting in a large degree of disquiet in the town.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills School, club, community, Doug Birch, facilities, football, governors, Head, Headmistress, Helen Keenan, lessons, Letter, Lichfield, Local Committee, Local politics, Report, School, Silly, soccer, swimming, trust, Walsall Advertiser, withdrawal
24 Comments
Accentuate the positive
It’s good to see that local cyclist, railwayman and blogger Aiden McHaffie has recently had some success in bringing to resolution a case of bad HGV driving, as recorded in a bike cam YouTube video.
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Posted in Bad Science, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Accident, Aiden McHaffie, bike, Cam, Company, complaint, cycle safety, cyclesafe, cycling, Facebook, injustice, Linda Mason, local blogs, police failure, positive, West Midlands Police, Youtube
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A friendly reminder
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm tonight (Thursday 13th February 2014) of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills.
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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 politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, November 14, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Old Holland
Over the past couple of posts, the subject of Holland Park in Brownhills has come up, and reader Peter asked where it got it’s name – I knew it was named after Hyla John Holland, one of the great names in the history of Brownhills, but I realised I didn’t know much about the chap, or exactly what he did beyond being a councillor.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 1933, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Holland, Hylan John, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mercury, New Photos, Obituary, Park, Parks, planning, recreation, Staffordshire, The Parade, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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