Category Archives: News

It’s always a pleasure to feature the work of other historians here and this has been a longstanding tradition since the very start of this blog over a decade age: Today, I’d like readers to welcome a new contributor to … Continue reading →

I note that since it’s Sunday it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol are there this afternoon – … Continue reading →

I won’t beat around the bush. I’m knackered and way behind with lots of online stuff like 365days – so quick posts here this weekend – but I have some fabulous quick queries you all can ponder over. The first … Continue reading →

I know we have a lot of running folk amongst the readership, and in the mass of volunteer, community organised stuff in recent years, one of the most impressive demonstrations of this has been the growth of the free, Saturday … Continue reading →

Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills, now renamed and revitalised as A5 Live. This year the music, entertainment and fun returns to … Continue reading →

Whilst the popular Supporting the Rainbow autism support group is having a well-deserved summer break from it’s usual venue at the Smithys Forge pub, the group are organising some special meet-ups you can bring your kids along to – the … Continue reading →

Just a headsup (I’ve only just noticed, sorry) to point out there’s a Big Bounce family fun event taking place at Holland Park, Brownhills (Next to the Library and Medical Centre) this Monday, 29th July 2019 with sessions starting at … Continue reading →

I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol are there this … Continue reading →

I’ve had some fascinating images sent in to the blog by regular reader Robert Sault, taken at the turn of the millennium as the M6 Toll motorway was being built trough our area. These are a remarkable selection from what … Continue reading →

Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills, now renamed and revitalised as A5 Live. This year the music, entertainment and fun returns to … Continue reading →

I know we have a lot of running folk amongst the readership, and in the mass of volunteer, community organised stuff in recent years, one of the most impressive demonstrations of this has been the growth of the free, Saturday … Continue reading →

As well as Stay and Play, this Saturday 27th July 2019 if you’ve got older kids why not try the PEPA Active Sports Club at Brownhills Community Centre from 10amn-11am? It’s suitable for kids from 6-11 years old and there’s … Continue reading →

If you’ve a child or children under 4 years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 27th July 2019 from 10-11:30am. It costs just … Continue reading →

Here’s an appeal to sponsor Brownhills poet and human dynamo Ian Neville who is today (Friday, 26th July 2019) riding from Brownhills to Blackpool by bicycle – a distance of 120 miles, a remarkable endeavour. You can follow Ian on his Facebook … Continue reading →

Here’s a heads up for an appeal to sponsor Brownhills poet and human dynamo Ian Neville who will be riding from Brownhills to Blackpool by bicycle this Friday, 26th July 2019 – a distance of 120 miles, a remarkable endeavour. This will … Continue reading →

I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol are there this … Continue reading →

This weekend Carters Steam Fair is back in Beacon Park in Lichfield. Carters Fair is very traditional travelling fair of the type that used to visit Brownhills in days of yore – and of course, Walsall Wood is home to … Continue reading →

As well as Stay and Play, this Saturday 20th July 2019 if you’ve go older kids why not try the PEPA Active Sports Club at Brownhills Community Centre from 10amn-11am? It’s suitable for kids from 6-11 years old and there’s … Continue reading →

If you’ve a child or children under 4 years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 20th July 2019 from 10-11:30am. It costs just … Continue reading →

There’s a great steam, vintage vehicle and generally fun event on this weekend near Barton Under Needwood, Staffordshire, which I think many blog readers would enjoy – Barton Under Needwood Steam Rally takes place this Saturday and Sunday 20th-21stnd July … Continue reading →

I know we have a lot of running folk amongst the readership, and in the mass of volunteer, community organised stuff in recent years, one of the most impressive demonstrations of this has been the growth of the free, Saturday … Continue reading →

Here’s a quick plug for something I asked for help with a couple of weeks ago: Lichfield, Walsall and South Staffordshire Humanists – a philosophical debating group – have their quarterly meeting tonight, Wednesday 17th July 2019 at their new … Continue reading →

Just a heads up to let folk know that there’s a popular and regular autism support group meeting in Brownhills this Tuesday lunchtime from 1:30-2:30pm at the Smithy’s Forge pub, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, just off the Miner Island. For parents, … Continue reading →

I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol are there this … Continue reading →

A really important appeal here from Brian Stringer and all the folk at Back the Track, who’re working so hard to convert the old rail line through Brownhills into a walking a cycle route. This morning, Sunday 14th July 2019 … Continue reading →

I’ve had an email yesterday from local wildlife expert, Clayhanger lad and old time retired blogger Chaz Mason, sadly one of several recent emails from the fellow that Googlemail has taken as spam and binned without consulting me. Thankfully, I … Continue reading →

John Lakin has been in touch to let readers know of the sad passing of his mother, June Lakin (nee Mole) who passed away on the 4th July 2019, and to invite all who knew her to her funeral at … Continue reading →

This Sunday (14th July 2019) sees the annual garden party at Balleny Green miniature railway near Little Hay, which is something remarkable I visited way back in spring 2017, and it’s well worth a visit. The garden party is an … Continue reading →

It’s good to see the Moivation Hub in Walsall Wood going from strength to strength – this wonderful facility for those with learning disabilities or other special needs fills a real local gap in provision and provides a warm, safe … Continue reading →

Just a heads up to let folk know that there’s a popular and regular autism support group meeting in Brownhills every Tuesday lunchtime from 1:30-2:30pm at the Smithy’s Forge pub, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, just off the Miner Island. For parents, … Continue reading →

A really important appeal here from Brian Stringer and all the folk at Back the Track, who’re working so hard to convert the old rail line through Brownhills into a walking a cycle route. This coming Sunday 14th July 2019 … Continue reading →

It’s nice to get back to some local history – and this is an absolute cracker from the young David Evans on a topic that gets visited here from time to time, and upon which David has recently been inspired … Continue reading →

I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol are there right … Continue reading →

David Evans has been busy of late putting together a lot of articles in the background while I’ve been busy – and he’s turning up some gems, like this set of five photos kindly offered by Derek Blakemore of birthday … Continue reading →