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Category Archives: Panoramio photo discussions
Action stations
Thanks to Twitter cycling whizz and all round top guy @WolvesOnWheels who tipped me off last week, there’s a Facebook group that’s been featuring a lot of Brownhills, Walsall Wood and Pelsall railway photographs lately, posted by Si Swain.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills common, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railways, Brownhills West, brownhills West Station, Derelict, Disused Railways, DJ Norton, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Midland Railway, New Photos, Old maps, Pelsall, Si Swain, Staffordshire, Station, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
1095 days
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, 1095 days, 2015, 3, anniversay, biking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, photography, riding, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, years
9 Comments
The state that we are in
I’m pleased to note that despite the celebratory tones of a report in the Express & Star a couple of weeks ago, Walsall Council are reinforcing the hard line taken on the owners of the derelict eyesore in the middle of Brownhills, Ravens Court, with a strongly worded press release issued a couple of days ago.
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
7 Comments
City heights
Well, it’s that time of year again, and yesterday I hopped on the Midland Red went to Birmingham to visit the Christmas Market and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city at Christmas. I love Birmingham as readers will know, … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, 2014, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, Lichfield, markey, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
4 Comments
Magic beans
Well, it seems congratulations are in order – Steve Craddock, UKIP councillor for Brownhills and the man whose holiday was more important than political control of a borough governing 269,000 people – has apparently brought us the bacon. Or it … Continue reading
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
8 Comments
Brownhills Town Festival – On today!
Today (Saturday 19th July 2014), it will be the second Brownhills Town Summer Festival, staged by Brownhills Town Centre Partnership and Walsall Council – following the success of the Christmas event last year and the excellent Canalside Festival, this one looks set to be a belter.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 19th July, 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills Town Festival, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, Local, local blogs, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Town, Town Centre Partnership, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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It’s festival weekend in Brownhills!
This Saturday (19th July 2014), there will be the second Brownhills Town Summer Festival, staged by Brownhills Town Centre Partnership and Walsall Council – following the success of the Christmas event last year and the excellent Canalside Festival, this one looks set to be a belter.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 19th July, 2014, Brownhills, Brownhills Town Festival, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, Local, local blogs, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Town, Town Centre Partnership, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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It’s going to be a great day – Brownhills Canalside Festival on today!
on’t forget that tomorrow (Sunday 29th June 2014) is the 12th annual Brownhills Canalside Festival which has been truly reinvigorated by the boundless energy and enthusiasm of local activist Brian Stringer, who’s been working very hard indeed to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever before.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
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
Getting shipshape for Brownhills Canal Festival 2014
Well, it’s really nice to see that after a few years in the doldrums Brownhills Canalside Festival is reinvigorated by the boundless energy and enthusiasm of Brian Stringer, who’s working hard to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever before.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
It’ll soon be time for the Brownhills Canalside Festival
Details of this year’s Brownhills Canal Festival have kindly been supplied by The Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer. I’m trying to get as much info as I can, which I’ll let you have as soon as it’s available.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Summer’s first breath
We’ve had a really fine few days, and I really feel now that summer is on her throne – the leaves are all fully out now, the whites and yellows of spring are turning to the reds and purples of summer, and nature and the landscape is resplendent in the multi-colured jacket the sun provides.
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged A picture tour of old Pelsall Rushall and Shelfield, Aldridge Brick & Tile, Alrewas, Armitage, bike, bridge, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Dunstall, FJ Long, Fradley, great crested, Grebe, hall, Lichfield, Longdon, Narrowboat, New Photos, Panoramio, Red Lion, Redevelopment, refurbishment, Reopening, ride, river section, Staffordshire, Things to do, wildflowers, Wildlife, wind turbinebugle
9 Comments
Brownhills Canal Festival 2014 – details now available
Details of this year’s Brownhills Canal Festival have kindly been supplied by The Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer. I’m trying to get as much info as I can, which I’ll let you have as soon as it’s available.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 10am-4pm, 2014, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, canalside, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June 29th, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
No country for old men
Over recent years, my long distance cycling habit has been a little bit curtailed. I’ve been working many Saturdays, when I generally went on long dayrides, or had other commitments – this year, I intend to rectify that, and yesterday started as I mean to contiunue – with a 122 mile rile up into the Peak District.
Posted in cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Cromford, Cycle rides, cycling, Dales, Derbyshire, hall, High Peak trail, Hoe Grange, Ilam, Manifold Valley, Minninglow, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Staffordshire, Throwley, Tissington Trail, Weaver Hills
7 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
A very Good Friday
Yesterday, Good Friday 18th April 2014, was a good day for a ride – with the day off and the sun shining (although not as warm as one would have thought), I headed out to Staffordshire to cath the sun and beauty of spring.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged anemone, bicye, bike, Blossom, Bluebell, Cam, Canal, Canwell, Church, Convent, Cycle rides, cycling, Devils Dressing Room, Edingale, Events, ewe, good weather, GoPro, Harlaston, Haunton, Hays, HD Hero 3+, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Netherseal, New Photos, No Man's Heath, Oilseed Rape, Panoramio, ride, sheep, Speedwell, Spring, Staffordshire, Stonnall, sun, Syercote, Things to do, wildflowers, Wildlife, Wood
5 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
Thanks for an ingratitude
From time to time, I like to feature articles out of old gazetteers here on the blog – they are a great love of mine, and they help shine a new light on old, familiar places, as well as giving a neat insight into the times they were written in.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 1930's, Arthur Mee, Burntwood, Garrick, Gazetteer, Johnson, Kings England, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Nelson, New Photos, Panoramio, Shenstone, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wednesbury
1 Comment
Leaving hibernation
We’re a third of the way through March, and daffodils are out, the sun is high in the sky and spring is in full effect – I left in the afternoon for a quiet, fast spin – I ended up on a 45-miler around Lichfield, Croxall, Edingale, Harlaston, Whittington, Weeford and Shenstone.
[caption id="attachment_17934" align="alignleft" width="300"]
How Shenstone looks best: in silhouette[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Canal, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, daffodils, Edingale, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, ride, Shenstone, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Sunset, Things to do, WHittington
3 Comments
Urban spring
As is usual, today I visited Erdington Bike Jumble, the yearly tat-bazaar for cyclists that always takes place the first Saturday in March.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Architecture, Birmingham, Canal, contamination, Curdworth, Cycle rides, cycling, Erdington, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, Pubs, Snow Hill, Spaghetti Junction, Spring, Staffordshire, sun, Things to do, Washwood Heath
3 Comments
A memorial to the beam engines…
Here’s something I came upon by chance I think that not just the Lichfield and South Staffordshire Water contingents will like, but all those interested in steam engines, heavy plant and Victorian engineering.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 1971, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, Industrial Archeology, John J Bradbury, Journal of the History of Industry and Technology, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Waterworks
7 Comments
Express & Star covers Terrace Restaurant closure
I note today that the good old Express & Star have covered the closure of The Terrace restaurant in Brownhills that shocked so many last week – in an article unusually more detailed online than in the print edition, the paper reveals folks out of pocket with vouchers and others with prior bookings that are now obviously cancelled. A sad state of affairs indeed.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged @tapdiva, A5, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, ceased trading, Closed, Closure, email, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Hoofbeats, Lichfield, liquidator, Local History, locla paper, no longer trading, Petrol & Pantry, press, Pubs, Report, Restaurant, shut, shut down, Terrace, Twitter, Watling Street
1 Comment
The Terrace Restaurant closes down
Sad news – it appears that popular and longstanding Brownhills restaurant The Terrace has closed – I’m sure this will come as a shock to customers past and present.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged @tapdiva, A5, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, ceased trading, Closed, Closure, email, Events, Facebook, Hoofbeats, Lichfield, liquidator, Local History, no longer trading, Petrol & Pantry, Pubs, Restaurant, shut, shut down, Terrace, Twitter, Watling Street
43 Comments
Rhyme and reason
While service is operating on reduced power, I thought I’d share this curious mystery – over the new year period, a Brownhills history group was created on Facebook, and it’s proved to be very interesting indeed.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged A walk down High Street Browmhills, Anchor, Brewes, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past and Present, Cooper, Events, Facebook, Jim Simpson, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mystery, old shops, Poem, poetry, Princeps, Pubs, Redevelopment, rhyme, Selwyn Smith, Silly, Staffordshire, Station Hotel, Things to do
23 Comments
I think that nails it…
Periodically, I’ve expressed my intrigue at the history of Chesterfield Lodge, at the tiny hamlet between Wall and Shenstone – Chesterfield is a small place, but has some remarkable architecture demonstrated in its houses and farms.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media
Tagged Chesterfield, Chesterfield Lodge, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Panoramio, parish, Raikes, Roy Aston, SAHS, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society, Stonnall, Things to do, Twitter, Wall, Workhouse
14 Comments
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
23 Comments
Anyone for tennis?
Further to the great material sent in by Marion Jones, relating to the lost pumping station on The Spot at Clayhanger, she also sent me some interesting photos of the gardens of the Jones House in Clayhanger in the 1920s.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged big house, Branch line, bridge, Clayhanger Common, Culverts, Derelict, Drain, Drainage, flooding, Ford Brook, Local History, Marion Jones, Marsh, New Photos, new pond, Pump, pump house, Railway, River Tame, Round Table, Samuel Wheale, Spot Lane, Staffordshire, stepping stones, stormwater, Subsidence, tennis court, The Spot, The Spot pumping station, Walsall Wood Colliery
5 Comments
Just one day like this…
Today I escaped for a bit – the weather was reasonably good, I had nothing pressing, and rather than fiddle with blog posts and other stuff, I decided to go for a decent ride.
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Canal, Canwell, Church, Churchyard, Crow's Castle, Cyclamen, Cycle rides, cycling, Footherley, Ford, Golden hour, Hays Wood, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, New Photos, Panoramio, Pillbox, Staffordshire, Stockfields, Sunset, Things to do
2 Comments
Can anyone help a desperate reader, please?
Hi folks – this is just a quick enquiry from reader Adrian Reid. He’s after a book on a very specific bit of local history that has become rather rare, like most such volumes do. I’ll let Adrian explain.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 125 year anniversary, A5, Adrian Reid, Author, Book, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, history, Jan Farrow, Local History, Memories of Watling Sreet, New Photos, School, search, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Watling Street
12 Comments
Keep out of Cotterill’s road…
Welcome to the second of a three-instalment series, covering Ogley Hay, landowner Charles F Cotterill and Brownhills’ evolution into the place we know today, as written by local historian Gerald Reece in his remarkable book ‘Brownhills A Walk Into History’.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, Flour, Gerald Reece, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mill, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, STeam, Stonnall, Warren House
15 Comments
Ugly Ay it?
Today, it’s long overdue that I expand on a thread I commenced some weeks ago; that of Charles Foster Cotterill – you may remember that I raised the question of the man’s history as the named Bankrupt in a sale notice Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler found in the Birmingham Gazette in 1850.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, Gerald Reece, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Warren House
17 Comments
School’s out
I think this might be controversial – from recent activity at the site, it seems like the former St. John’s School, in Lichfield Road Walsall Wood, may be about to be demolished, and it’s site possibly redeveloped, together with the derelict bungalow next door.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 12 housed, 4th November 2012, 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
13 Comments
Springing a surprise
Lord knows where he found it, but isn’t this picture from the Young David Evans a remarkable thing?
Posted in Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, co-op, cycling, David Evans, Ind Coope, Local History, Lost pubs, New Photos, Panoramio, picture, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shelfield, Spring Cottage, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Shire Oak Park: Come meet the Rangers this Saturday
Helen Sanger, the Walsall Council Countryside Ranger responsible for Shire Oak Park Nature Reserve, has asked me to point out to readers and fans of the reserve that this coming Saturday, 9th November 2013 there will be a chance to meet with Tim Cleary, Countryside Operations Ranger.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Countryside Services, Events, Facebook, Helen Sanger, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local Nature Reserve, Local politics, Management, Nature Reserve, New Photos, November 9, Park, Scrub clearance, Shire Oak, Things to do, Tim Cleary, Twitter, Users group, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Heaths
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The end and the beginning
Thanks to several people including reader and friend of the blog Caz and the Young David Evans who’ve both pointed out that the former Royal Oak in Bullings Heath, Walsall Wood, is currently being demolished.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged alehouse, beer house, Black Cock, Black Cock Bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Camden Street, Canal, Cawarden, close, David Evans, Demolition, Derelict, Events, Goblin Pit, Green Lane, Hall Lane, Hillary Little, Local History, New Photos, newbuild, old inn, Old maps, Pepper Alley, Pubs, Ron, Royal Oak, Smith, Staffordshire, Val, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Grist for the mill
This is important, and I’m very excited about it – Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has found the following sale notice in the archives from Aris’s Birmingham Gazette of 26th August 1850.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1850, Aris, Autction, Bankrupt, Birmingham Gazette, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Catshill, Church, Clayhanger, F J COtterill, Farrington, Flour, Local History, Mill, Ogley Hay, St James, Staffordshire
26 Comments
Bettered its manners
Last weekend I introduced readers to one of my longstanding passions – the 1930s gazetteer series that is Arther Mee’s ‘Kings England’ – back then, I broached the subject with Arthurs florid, but charming take on Wall, the little local village with the big Roman history.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1930's, Arthur Mee, Dora, Dorothy Pattison, Gazetteer, George Henry Carless, Kings England, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, S N Webster, Sister, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council
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A ghost of a chance…
Ghosts and such things; a rumination…
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Barry, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, Derelict, folklore, Ghost, haunting, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Nick Duffy, oral, Panoramio, Pubs, Redevelopment, Silly, Staffordshire, story, Tesco, Tesco Development, Things to do, Walsall Wood, West Midlands Ghost Club
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The dirty old town I love
I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I love the Black Country with all my heart – this dirty, post-industrial powerhouse of a place has been prominent throughout my life, although, technically, I live outside it. 
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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 birthday, Bullstake, Darlaston, Derelict, FH Lloyd, GKN, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Rubery Owen, Silly, Staffordshire, Tony Martin, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wilkings and Mitchell
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The last big weekend of the summer
It’s been another heat bank holiday weekend, and I got to cycling over the Chase and through East Staffordshire – too many pictures for 365days, so I thought I’d do a gallery.[caption id="attachment_15473" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Elderberries, Walton upon Trent[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Churches, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Bevins Birches, Cannock Chase, Church, Cycle rides, cycling, Derbyshire, Dunstall, hall, Handsacre, Hoar Cross, Longdon, New Photos, Old Quarry, Panoramio, Rowley, Staffordshire, Stonywell, Walton, Wolseley Plain
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Up hill and down dale
Today, I got into the Derbyshire Dales and crossed into North Staffordshire – a straightforward trip along the High Peak Trail and down the full length of the Tissington Trail was just what was needed, and once at Ashbourne, I doubled back and headed back to Ilam via Mapleton and Blore.
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Minninglow Great Barrow[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media
Tagged Cromford, Cycle rides, cycling, Dales, Derbyshire, hall, High Peak trail, Hoe Grange, Ilam, Manifold Valley, Minninglow, New Photos, Panorama, Panoramio, Staffordshire, Throwley, Tissington Trail, Weaver Hills
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Local Scouts learn about nature at Shire Oak Park
I should have featured this yesterday, but didn’t get time – in what seems to be a new initiative, Walsall Wood Scouts, a thoroughly fine bunch of lads, have been undertaking small scale, supervised scrub clearance at Shire Oak Park Nature Reserve.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Countryside Services, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local Nature Reserve, Local politics, Management, Nature Reserve, New Photos, Park, Scouts, Scrub clearance, Shire Oak, Things to do, Twitter, Users group, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Heaths, Walsall politics
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Out on the common…
Walsall Council’s Countryside Services Manager Kevin Clements has been in touch – he wants me to let readers know that there’s now a booklet available for download, which details the work proposed for Brownhills Common, and he’s also written an interesting piece for the blog about the planned tasks ahead, and why they’re so important.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, 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, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, june 14th, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Natural England, Plantation, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
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Faith in the future
I’ve been meaning to cover a couple of local planning applications submitted by Walsall Housing Group for new developments in Brownhills for a while.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged affordable, Brownhills, Church Street, Derelict, flats, houses, Local politics, Panoramio, planning, Planning application, Redevelopment, Short Street, social housing, Things to do, Walsall Housing Group, Wessex Close
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To be in England, in the summertime
Another day, another great ride – I headed out early afternoon, firstly to Chasewater then on to Lichfield and the festival market, then from the busy city, I headed to the quiet of the east Staffordshire countryside – Whittington, Croxall, Walton, Rosliston, Lullington, Harlaston and back via Wall.
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Pipe Hill poppies[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, Harlaston, Lichfield, Lichfield Festival Market, Lullington, New Photos, Panoramio, Pipe Hill, poppies, Reservoir, River Trent, Rosliston, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wakeboard, Wakelake, Walton, Walton on Trent, WHittington, Wildlife
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Photographic memory
I note that over on Panoramio, Brownhills George is continuing his patient work, assembling a great collection of historic Brownhills images – I thought is was about time I featured the latest ones here, as they’re absolutely remarkable, and haven’t got many views yet.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1970, 1980, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Chasewater, Clayhanger Common, Clayhanger Tip, co-op, Currys, demolished, Geogre, Golden Grill, Great Mills, Hillards, Humpries House, Lindale, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pier Street, pub, Pubs, Ravens Court, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tanday, Things to do, White Horse
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Songs to sing, and voices to sing them
That there Young David Evans has been a busy man – not just with his comments, explorations of The Wood’s watercourses, or even his pursuit of squeezing great memories from David Oakley – no, David has thrown himself into researching George Fullelove, the great musical son of Brownhills, the Choral Society he was an exponent of, and the rich and surprising choral culture locally.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged balladeer, Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, George Fullelove, Langford, Local History, Master, New Photos, Peake, Plaque, Preece, Road, Silver Street Methodist Church, Singer, Staffordshire, Starbuck, Things to do, Waine, Walsall Wood
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It’s festival weekend in Brownhills!
This weekend, we not only have the Brownhills Canal Festival on Sunday (June 23rd 2013), but Brownhills Town Centre Partnership and Walsall Council are running Browhills Town Festival the day before (Saturday, 22nd June 2013).
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 22, 23, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Brownhills Town Festival, Canal, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June, june 23rd, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Richard Lee, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Pictures from Pelsall Canal Festival 2013
Well, the weather behaved, mostly – a couple of sharp showers and a strong wind couldn’t dampen spirits with loads of stalls, activities, people and boats – Pelsall Canal Festival was a great afternoon out.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 2013, bad weather, boaters, Boats, Brenda Ward, Canal, canal festival, Cheese Boat, Cycle rides, Events, Narrowboats, New Photos, Panoramio, Pelsall, Pelsall Canal Festival, Pelsall North Common, Rain
15 Comments
Winding Lanes
Andy Dennis writes clearly and articulately of the planning history of the Lanes Farm/Sandhills site in light of current angst over a mooted further development – I’m still of the opinion that we’re being trolled for other reasons, but Andy raises some excellent points.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, 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, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall 2026, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
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