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Category Archives: News
Services for Walsall’s vulnerable and older folk during the Coronavirus outbreak
As the Coronavirus situation has developed over the last couple of weeks, services have been formed to support the vulnerable, elderly and isolating during this uncertain and strange time. Our local hub for advice, help, support and all manner of … Continue reading
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Two charged following armed robbery at Brownhills shop
Many readers will be aware of a police operation that took place in Brownhills High Street near to Anchor Bridge on Tuesday evening, 245th March 2020 – police raided a flat and arrested two men. The raid followed an armed … Continue reading
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Police urgently looking for Missing man Nigel Beesley- please help if you can
One that’s playing on my mind in recent days and because of the current situation understandablly,is flying below the radar but is very important indeed. Please – take a look at the photo above – 58 year old Nigel Beesley … Continue reading
A sad but timely message from New Hall Mill
One of the incidental effects of the current pandemic (how odd it is to type those words) that is slowly dawning on me is that most of the things that I treasure about summer are unlikely to happen this year … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Alan Dawson, Art and Crafts day, collection, Cycle rides, Cycle Route, cycleway, cycling, Deer, History day, Muntjac, NCN, New Hall Mill, Newhall, off road, open days, Park, Pipe Hayes, Plants Brook, Sunday, Sutton Coldfield, Things to do, urban, urban birdlife, Valley, Water Mill, Wylde Green
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A flight into local canal history
Just a quick heads up to a great couple of new episodes of a great canal history series on YouTube that I have plunged before by a man very familiar to local canal fans: Andy Tidy, proprietor of the Jam Butty, … Continue reading
Appeal for volunteers to help with vulnerable folk during the Coronavirus outbreak continues
The Coronavirus situation is ongoing and many of you are concerned about the vulnerable, the isolating and the less able in our communities, and are offering volunteer support to them. As the days have gone on, frameworks have begun to … Continue reading
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A quick note…
Hey folks. Unprecedented times here at the moment, you don’t need me to tell you. Right now because of these issues updates to the blog may be days apart or very brief, and not very history related. Sorry about that. … Continue reading
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Important Coronavirus crime prevention advice: Beware, there are scammers about
We find ourselves currently in uncharted waters as a country, facing our biggest challenge since the Second World War – Coronavirus. Sadly, like times of adversity throughout history, there are a minority of criminals ready to exploit the situation. Here’s … Continue reading
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Remembrance: Pursuing an important question from John Bird
Old friend of this blog and highly respected Brownhills Royal British Legion member John Bird wrote to me some time ago asking why our MP, Wendy Morton, only ever seemed to attend Aldridge’s Remembrance Service on Remembrance Sunday morning and not … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Events, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Remembrance, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, under threat, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Do you want to volunteer to help those in isolation or the vulnerable locally? Here’s how….
As the current Coronavirus situation evolves, a number of community initiatives are springing up around our area (and indeed, the country of course) to support the elderly, vulnerable and those who may be in isolation. Isolation will make life difficult … Continue reading
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The Friends of Brownhills Common – March 2020 meeting tonight!
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting tonight, Monday 16th March 2020 of the Friends of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in … Continue reading
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 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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Geoff Heath, rest in peace
An important and sad announcement here from Sue Croxford, whose father Geoffrey Heath passed away on March 6th 2020 following a period of illness. Geoff was a well known and respected man locally who was very much involved with the … Continue reading
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Special Brewes
Occasionally, I like to share interesting local postcard images found on sale sites like eBay, and today I feature one that’s an old friend – the view down High Street Brownhills from the old Railway Bridge/Lichfield Road junction towards Shire … Continue reading
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Lichfield, Burntwood and South Staffs community pull together in light of Coronavirus outbreak
A very important story here, led by people I have an awful lot of time for: Lichfield District Councillors Sue Woodward and Dave Robertson, plus the wonderful Kate ‘Cardigan’ Gomez of Lichfield Lore, Lichfield Discovered and Lichfield Waterworks Trust fame. … Continue reading
Why not Stay and Play for longer – at Brownhills Community Centre this morning?
If you’ve a child or children under six years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 14th March 2020 from 10-12pm – note the … Continue reading
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Walsall Wood match against Sporting Khalsa this Saturday OFF sorry!
Contrary to a very short lived blog post here (which will have gone out to email subscribers, sorry) there will be no Wood match tomorrow because of the virus situation. Sorry. Apologies for the duff info.
March community litter pick in Shelfield this Sunday afternoon!
There’s a community litter pick this Sunday morning (15th March 2020) in Shelfield, organised by the fab Shelfield Pickers group. It kicks off at 1:00pm outside Shelfield wish Bar adjacent to the Spring Cottage junction. Wrap up warm! All gear will … Continue reading
Parkrun is on at Chasewater this Saturday!
After weeks of cancellations due to weather, Chasewater Parkrun is scheduled to go ahead this Saturday 14th March 2020 after last week’s successful return – and it looks like being a great run! For those concerned about the possible impact … Continue reading
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Police arrest man following Clayhanger hit and run but still need witnesses
Following the awful incident that took place in Clayhanger on Saturday evening (7th March 2020), in which a cyclist was seriously injured in a hit and run collision in Bridge Street, Clayhanger , a man has been arrested and a … Continue reading
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Alcoholics Anonymous group meeting in Brownhills this evening
Here’s an important one – Brownhills has started its own Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings at Silver Street Methodist Church in Silver Street, Brownhills that take place this and every Tuesday (10th March 2020) from 7:30pm until 9pm. I’m told the … Continue reading
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust March 2020 public meeting takes place this evening
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this evening, Monday 9th March 2020 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 February, 2020, 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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Police appeal for information after cyclist is seriously injured in Clayhanger hit and run
On Saturday evening (7th March 2020), a cyclist was seriously injured in a hit and run collision in Bridge Street, Clayhanger between the mini-island and Clayhanger Bridge. The 44 year old man remains in a serious condition in hospital. Police … Continue reading
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Woodmen emerge from the deep to sink Newark
Images and captions kindly supplied by David Evans Walsall Wood FC yesterday (Saturday 7th March 2020) got in what has been a very rare thing so far this year – a match at home, on a Saturday afternoon. With an … 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 2020, 7 March, Coventry United, Events, FC, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, Lichfield, match report, match review, Report, result, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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March 2020 Toy and Train Collectors Fair at Oak Park today!
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, 8th March 2020 from … Continue reading
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Fancy joining Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band?
An important one here:If you’d like to join up and help the Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band – that’s the folks who march at Brownhills Remembrance Parade – then here’s you chance today (Sunday 8th March 2020) and subsequent Sundays. … Continue reading
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Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, this afternoon!
If you, the kids are grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems a bit more decent it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol … Continue reading
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Finally some Saturday football at Oak Park: Walsall Wood at home to Newark Flowserve this afternoon
Saturday 7th March 2020 Providing there’s no sudden deluge, Oak Park will see it’s first Saturday home match in quite a while! Walsall Wood FC at home to Newark Flowserve FC Kickoff 3pm Don’t break your Wood vows be there and be … 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 2020, 7 March, Events, FC, Flowserve, football, Footy, Good of the Wood, home, Newark, Saturday, soccer, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall WOod FC
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Why not Stay and Play for longer – at Brownhills Community Centre this morning?
If you’ve a child or children under six years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 7th March 2020 from 10-12pm – note the … Continue reading
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Parkrun returns to Chasewater this Saturday!
After being cancelled due to weather and flooding on the course for no less than three weeks running, Chasewater Parkrun returns this Saturday morning (8th March 2020) – assuming we’re not hit by a hurricane of blizzard between now and … Continue reading
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Buses by Night 2020 – a great local event on this Saturday!
This Saturday afternoon and evening (7th March 2020) there’s a great, innovative event taking place at Aldridge Transport Museum just off Northgate – Buses by Night, which is your chance to ride on some great old vehicles and see the local sights … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged AMRTM, Aston Manor, Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, bus rides, Buses by night, event, Events, Facebook, free, Local History, Mick Stackhouse, open day, Shenstone Drive, Transport Museum, Walsall Wood
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Brownhills very own autism support group meets this Tuesday lunchtime!
Just a heads up to let folk know that the popular local autism support group ‘Supporting the Rainbow’ is meeting today (Tuesday 3rd March 2020) – and they’re back to meeting at their original base, Smithys Forge pub in Lichfield … Continue reading
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust need volunteers – can you help save a great piece of history?
I know lots of you are looking for interesting volunteering opportunities locally – and here’s a fun one for people with a whole range of skills – helping to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield and turn it into a … 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 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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Got a little one? Would you like a stroll in the park this Monday morning?
I’ve always supported the wonderful parent and toddler walking and social group that took place weekly at Chasewater – Chasewater Strollers, which grew via the human dynamo of Esther Allen and others into the wonderful Spark movement in Burntwood – well, the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged appeal, Brownhills, buggy, Chasetown, Chasewater, Chasewater Strollers, dad, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, forest, Lichfield, Mondays, mum, musicians, new venue, parents, playgroup, Reservoir, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Stroll this way to tots play, Strollers, Things to do, toddler, walking, walking group, Walsall, Walsall Symphony Orchestra, Wildlife
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Fancy joining Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band? Open day today!
An important one here:If you’d like to join up and help the Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band – that’s the folks who march at Brownhills Remembrance Parade – then here’s you chance today (Sunday 1st March 2020) as they … Continue reading
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Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, this afternoon!
If you, the kids are grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems a bit more decent it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol … Continue reading
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Bears on the common? Let’s all go on a bear hunt this morning!
Sorry, late notice but I’m having trouble with the blog machinery this weekend. This morning, Sunday 1st March 2020, there’s a bear hunt on Brownhills Common starting at 10:00am – but you’ll need to contact the organisers on this link … Continue reading
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Why not Stay and Play for longer – at Brownhills Community Centre this morning?
If you’ve a child or children under six years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 29th February 2020 from 10-12pm – note the … Continue reading
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It’s still very wet in the park: Chasewater Parkrun cancelled yet again
Sadly due to the incredible amount of standing water and mud at Chasewater, the organisers of Chasewater Parkrun have wisely but with very heavy hearts decided to cancel the event for this week which was scheduled to take place this … Continue reading
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Rushall May Fayre needs you!
Here’s an important one I’ve been meaning to run for a while, brought to my attention by old friend of the blog, Claire Gibbs. Rushall May Fayre is an important, annual and hugely popular community festival, which has been organised … Continue reading
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Come join the community litter pick this Thursday morning in Brownhills!
Very late notice I know, but I’ve only just spotted that there is a community litter pick event taking place in Brownhills this morning (Thursday 27th February 2020) from 10am until 12 noon starting at Brownhills Community Centre – and … Continue reading
Walking group sets off again in Brownhills this Wednesday afternoon!
I note that since it’s a new year, new start and so forth, there are lots of opportunities to get out and about and work of some of the padding Christmas left behind. One such thing is the new walking … Continue reading
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In memoriam Eddie Fallon: A wonderful gesture
Last autumn, Brownhills was saddened by the loss of a well respected and loved local man, Eddie ‘Jock’ Fallon, who was taken from us after a period of illness. As an ex-Serviceman, Eddie was a member of Brownhills branch of … Continue reading
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Got a little one? Fancy a stroll in the park this Monday morning?
I’ve always supported the wonderful parent and toddler walking and social group that took place weekly at Chasewater – Chasewater Strollers, which grew via the human dynamo of Esther Allen and others into the wonderful Spark movement in Burntwood – well, the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged appeal, Brownhills, buggy, Chasetown, Chasewater, Chasewater Strollers, dad, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, forest, Lichfield, Mondays, mum, musicians, new venue, parents, playgroup, Reservoir, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Stroll this way to tots play, Strollers, Things to do, toddler, walking, walking group, Walsall, Walsall Symphony Orchestra, Wildlife
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Fancy joining Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band?
An important one here:If you’d like to join up and help the Brownhills Community Drum Corps Band – that’s the folks who march at Brownhills Remembrance Parade – then here’s you chance today (Sunday 23rd February 2020) and subsequent … Continue reading
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Fancy finding out more about local wildlife? You can, this afternoon!
If you, the kids are grandkids are at a loose end today, since the weather seems a bit more decent it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green and chat to the Swan Patrol. The Patrol … Continue reading
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Why not join Sunday’s Walsall Wood community litter picks?
The next Walsall Wood community litter pick by Walsall Wood Wombles take place on Sunday 23rd February 2019 – and all are welcome to join in. There will actually be two litter picks organised by the Womble group on the … Continue reading
It’s very wet in the park: Chasewater Parkrun cancelled again
Sadly due to the incredible amount of standing water and mud at Chasewater, the organisers of Chasewater Parkrun have wisely but with very heavy hearts decided to cancel the event for this week which was scheduled to take place this … Continue reading
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Why not join this weekend’s Walsall Wood community litter pick?
I know folk always complain they never caught notice of these, so this is just a note to say there the next Walsall Wood community litter pick by Walsall Wood Wombles take place on Sunday 23rd February 2019 – and … Continue reading
Walking group sets off again in Brownhills this Wednesday afternoon!
I note that since it’s a new year, new start and so forth, there are lots of opportunities to get out and about and work of some of the padding Christmas left behind. One such thing is the new walking … Continue reading
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Supporting the Rainbow autism support group have a half term catch up today!
The popular and busy Supporting the Rainbow autism carers support group meets again today (Tuesday 18th February 2020) for a special half-term catchup at Brownhills Community Centre from 1:30pm to 2:30pm today at Brownhills Community Centre, just off the Miner … Continue reading
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