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Category Archives: News
Walsall Wood away to Worcester City this afternoon
Saturday 12th January 2019 Walsall Wood FC away to Worcester City in a big-name match! The Victoria Ground, Birmingham Road, BromsgroveWorcestershire B61 0DR 3:00pm kickoff Please come and get behind your local club For The Good Of The Wood! Check out the club … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Oak Park, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Worcester City
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Why not Stay and Play – at Brownhills Community Centre this morning
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 12th January 2018 from 10-11:30am. It costs just … Continue reading
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Irony is dead
It’s not often I get political on the blog these days – local politics is a stagnant mess and national politics is so far beyond satire it’s impossible to make anything out of it. But something popped up in my … Continue reading
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Can you help identify this mystery band with a Brownhills connection?
Reader JD Sharon has been in touch with a mystery photo, and would like to ask readers if they know anything about the band pictured, who look like a fun bunch of lads, I must say. JD said Hi Bob … Continue reading
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Worrying damage at local riding stables – did you see anything?
This is an important appeal for information regarding a strange incidence of criminal damage that took place yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 8th January 2019) at Stevie Ansell’s riding school premises at Coppice Lane/Engine Lane, Brownhills. Stevie sent me the following important … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills common, crime, Engine Lane, field, livery, New Photos, opened, Police, Riding school, Stevie Ansell
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The Brownhills Canalside Festival is reborn in 2019 – would you like a stall?
I have some excellent news for Brownhills folk and those who like canal boats and waterway life – the successful and sadly missed Brownhills Canalside Festival is being revived in 2019 by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society who are planning … Continue reading
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 2019, Brownhillls, Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Festival, Live, required, stalls, Things to do, traders
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There’s a great new autism support group meeting in Brownhills today and every Tuesday!
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
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust January 2019 public meeting next Monday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that next Monday evening, 14th January 2019 there will be the monthly Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 14 January, 2019, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Monday, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do
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Toy and train collectors fair at Oak Park RIGHT NOW
Here’s one I’ve been meaning to catch for a while, but always seem to miss somehow – the periodic Toy and Train Collectors Fair at Oak Park Leisure Centre, Walsall Wood. This one runs today Sunday, 6th January 2018 from … Continue reading
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Images from up the cut
Last week I spent a fascinating (and rather frustrating) evening delving through the Canal and River Trust photo archive, which is always a curate’s egg: Whilst there are many stunning images (and many more waiting to be found) the cataloguing … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal and River Trust, Cannock Extension Canal, images, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, photos, pits, Staffordshire, Things to do
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Woodmen away at AFC Wulfrunians this afternoon!
Today, Saturday 5th January 2018 Walsall Wood FC face AFC Wulfrunians away at Castlecroft. CKW Stadium, Castlecroft Road, Castlecroft Wolverhampton WV3 8NA Kick off is 3:00pm Hopefully, a match report will follow… For the good of The Wood! Visit the Walsall Wood FC club website … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, 5 January, AFC, away, Castlecroft, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Lichfield, match on, Park, Saturday, soccer, Stadium, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, Wulfrunians
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Why not Stay and Play – at Brownhills Community Centre this morning
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 5th January 2018 from 10-11:30am. It costs just … Continue reading
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Remember Yoghourt? Looking to contact Gerald Reece and Bernard Howdle please
Hello folks – have a special appeal here to get in touch with Gerald Reece and Bernard Howdle – their old bandmate Jack McCreath is looking to get in touch again and recall the old days. Gerald Reece is of … Continue reading
An old friend of the blog needs some local history help please!
It’s another request for help please – this time from old friend and top cake and coffee purveyor Laura Hucker, who runs the fantastic Reading Rooms coffee emporium in Pelsall and has put on the lovely craft and gift fairs … Continue reading
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Can you help a local girls football team grow?
Over the new year break I had this opportunity for volunteer football coaches at Walsall Wood SSE Wildcats sent in – can you help this wonderful local girls team develop further? They asked: Walsall Wood SSE Wildcats are expanding the … Continue reading
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Man turns himself in following police appeal earlier today
Police in Walsall have released the following statement in relation to a man they wished to identify earlier in connection with a robbery at Ward’s Store, Shire Oak. They said: Good news! A man has turned himself in to police … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Uncategorized, Walsall community
Tagged 2018, Brownhills, crime, knifepoint, kniofepoint, man, Police appeal, press release, public safety, Robbery, Shop, violent, Walsall Police, West Midlands Police
Big Bounce family fun at Walsall College this afternoon
Just a heads to point out there’s a Big Bounce family fun event taking place at Walsall College Hub (right on the ring road in Walsall, opposite Tesco) this very afternoon, Wednesday 2nd January 2018. It’s £6 per child with … Continue reading
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It’s 2019 New Year photo competition time!
Hey folks – regulars here will know that over Christmas and new year on the Brownhills Blog we normally have a quiz where real prizes can be won – mini kegs of Backyard Ale or books – well, I think … Continue reading
The many, changing faces of the Birmingham Canal Network
As I promised yesterday, some selected images here that caught my eye from the book I was bought for Christmas ‘The BCN in Pictures’ – a remarkable 1982 picture booklet of achieve images of the local canal network, the boats … Continue reading
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Woodmen give Long Eaton short shrift
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 29th December 2018), Walsall Wood F.C. entertained Long Eaton United at home – and the visitors left defeated by some margin. David Evans was there to enjoy the match, and wrote: Images and captions kindly supplied by … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged David Evans, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, match review, Report, result, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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Right down the line: Mapping the BCN
Here’s a treat for canal enthusiasts and other people interested in local waterway history. For Christmas a good pal acquired and gave to me a book of photos, published in 1982 by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society and called ‘The … Continue reading
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Walsall Wood face Long Eaton at Oak Park this afternoon
Saturday 29th December 2018 Walsall Wood versus Long Eaton United Come shake off the post-Christmas blues and watch the lads at Oak Park for a great afternoon of football Kick off is 3:00pm Hopefully, a match report will follow… For the Good of … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, 29 December, announcement, Bonfire, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Inspection, Lichfield, Long Eaton, soccer, Sunday, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC, weather
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Anyone lost an adult bike?
Just a quick one here – if anyone has lost an adult’s flat bar hybrid/road bike in the Brownhills area then it’s very possibly been found. A resident on Lindon Road has taken the bike in and it’s being collected … Continue reading
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Of King and Council
Some years ago, I featured an article here from a local paper believed to be from the early 1960s, when Brownhills Urban District Council were making moves to turn Chasewater into a pleasure park, the end result of which was … Continue reading
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Walsall Wood away to Lye this afternoon for Boxing Day soccer action!
Boxing Day, 26th December 2018 The Wood are away to Lye town! Come see if the lads can pull off a festive cracker Sports Ground, Stourbridge Road, Lye, DY9 7DH Kick off is 3:00pm For the Good of the Wood! … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, away, boxing day, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Lichfield, Lye Town FC, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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So here it is, merry Christmas…
I’d just like to take a few minutes here to wish all readers, contributors and friends of the Brownhills Blog and followers of the associated social media a very happy Christmas, and a peaceful and prosperous new year – it’s … Continue reading
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Discovering Clayhanger’s lost big house – what do you know?
Here’s an interesting one from old friend of the blog Steve Sambrooke, who now lives in New Zealand but was originally from Clayhanger – a photo from the grounds of Caddick House, and it’s genuinely something I thought I’d never … Continue reading
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Walsall Wood FC v Highgate United at home this afternoon
Saturday 22nd December 2018 Time for some great football at Oak Park! Walsall Wood v Highgate United Don’t break your Wood vows, be there, be faithful to your local heroes Kickoff 3pm Please come and get behind your local club For … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, 22 december, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Highgate United, home, Oak Park, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Beware – look after your keys: Key fishing leads to BMW being stolen in Shelfield
Here’s an important warning from local police which reached me in the last couple of days – cars are being stolen by criminals fishing for keys through letterboxes again. There is currently somewhat of a vehicle crime wave ongoing: Homes … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 2017, 29 Nevmber, Alledale, break in, bridge, Brownhills, Burglary, Car Crime, Clayhanger, crime, Events, Facebook, Larkspur, Police, public safety, Road, street, Twitter, Walsall Police, Way, West Midlands Police
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It’s not too late to ramble with a popular local historian in his latest book – just the thing for Christmas!
I had an email from local historian and author Clive Roberts yesterday, pointing out that his latest book ‘Ramblings of a Local Historian’ is now available, but will sell out fast – so be quick if you want a copy … Continue reading
There’s a great new autism support group meeting in Brownhills today and every Tuesday!
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
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From beat room to ballroom!
An overdue article here from Colin Corbett, whom you’ll no doubt remember a few weeks ago was telling us about an upcoming article in the Black Country Bugle about the Cannock band he was a member of in the early … Continue reading
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Why not Stay and Christmas Play – at Brownhills Community Centre this morning
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 15th December 2018 from 10-11:30am. It costs just … Continue reading
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Walsall Wood FC away at Quorn this afternoon!
Saturday 15th December 2018 The Wood are away at Quorn! Farley way, Quorn LE12 8RB Kick off is 3:00pm Hopefully, a match report will follow! For the Good of the Wood! Visit Walsall Wood FC’s website here
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2017, 25 February, away, Bill Shaw, David Evans, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Quorn, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Dreaming of a White Christmas? Top up the feel good feelings in Brownhills this Saturday evening!
Fancy getting into the Christmas spirit this Saturday evening in Brownhills? This Saturday, 15th December 2018 The Lamp Theatre in Brownhills Community Centre on the Miner Island in Brownhills are hosting a singalong showing of the festive classic White Christmas … Continue reading
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Christmas market at Chasewater Railway this Saturday!
I notice that this Saturday 15th December 2018, there’s a rather fun looking Christmas Market being staged at Chasewater Railway. The market runs from 10am until 5pm at Brownhills West Station (Use the Chasewater main entrance from the A5 and … Continue reading
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, 2017, 23 July, 40s, Brownhills, carriage, Chasewater, Chasewater Railway, Events, Facebook, Mabels, New Photos, nostalgia, Staffordshire, Sunday, Things to do, Twitter, Vintage Event, Vintage Fair, We'll Meet Again
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Join in the conversation this lunchtime in Brownhills!
I haven’t got a handle on what this is about yet but I notice there’s a community meeting event today from 12:45 PM – 2:45 PM at St James Parish Church Hall, Church Road, Brownhills, WS8 6AB. As far as I can … Continue reading
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A party this Friday for Janey!
There’s a great party event happening this Friday 14th December 2018 at King Street Club in Walsall Wood, in memory of the one and only Janey Hatfield who sadly passed away recently. There will be a disco and karaoke, singer … Continue reading
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There’s a great new autism support group meeting in Brownhills today and every Tuesday!
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
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Tyred out – huge thanks to a pair of a local heroes!
Here’s a lovely thing Brian Stringer from the Back the Track group has asked me to share with readers, to thank local lad Ian Neville and his daughter Nicola who have performed a remarkable feat this weekend. The Back the … Continue reading
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Walsall Wood prove equal to Shepshed – but leave loyal supporter tea’d off!
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday 8th December 2018) Walsall Wood FC faced Shepshed Dynamo at home, and fought an excellent match which ended in a four-all draw. David Evans was there for the action, and found some changes afoot at the Wood he … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2018, 8 December, Bill Shaw, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Lichfield, match report, Shepshed Dynamo, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Ramble with a popular local historian in his latest book – just the thing for Christmas!
I had an email from local historian and author Clive Roberts yesterday, pointing out that his latest book ‘Ramblings of a Local Historian’ is now available, but will sell out fast – so be quick if you want a copy … Continue reading
A public service announcement…
Right folks quick update for readers. Stuff’s a bit slow right now. I have a bit of a problem at the moment in that the weekend I need to do my end of year financial shit for the bean counters … Continue reading
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Remembering Janey
The funeral of Janey Hatfield will take place today, Friday 7th of December 2018 at Streetly Crematorium’s West Chapel with the service starting at 1.45pm. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish Janey’s family, friends and all attending today … Continue reading
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust December 2018 public meeting this Monday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this coming Monday 10th December 2018) there will be the monthly Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 10 December, 2018, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Monday, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do
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Scouting out the history
Time for a bit of history (makes a change in the run up to Christmas!) and I’ve had this interesting image in from Adam Mayon, who believes it’s of Brownhills Scouts, taken around 1960. His request is simple: Hi Bob, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2nd, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cubs, Events, Fire, help, John Currie, New Photos, safety, Scouts, Shire Oak, volunteer, Youth
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Santa comes to a great local miniature railway this weekend!
Hey folks – if you’re quick you can book up for the Christmas children’s event at Balleny Green Miniture Railway, which takes place at this wonderful hidden gem in Little Hay, near Shenstone, this coming weekend (Saturday 8th and Sunday … Continue reading
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A gentle reminder that it’s Janey’s funeral this Friday
Following the sad passing of friend of the blog and local legend Janey Hatfield, her son Sam Perry made the following announcement regarding her funeral arrangements. Sam said: I’d like to inform people that my mothers funeral will take place … Continue reading
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