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Category Archives: planning
Unexpected development in bagging area – Aldi buy Ravens Court
Well, this is the news I though I’d never share: 12 years after my first article here about Ravens Court and the then promise of Tesco’s new gold dream that crumbled to dust, it turns out bargain supermarket chain Aldi … 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
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Beware – bike theft is a growing problem locally
It’s time, I’m very much afraid, to issue another warning – theft of bikes and ebikes in the Brownhills and wider Walsall area continues to escalate in the wake of the bike boom and general retail shortage of new machines … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Brownhills, Burglary, crime, Events, garage, garages, home security, local blogs, Pelsall, Police, Shed, Sheds, Shire Oak, vehicle, Walsall, West Midlands
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Beware – bike thefts from garages and sheds occurring locally again
It’s time, I’m very much afraid, to issue another warning – it seems local burglars are at it again – In the last few weeks there have been a number of break-ins to sheds and outbuildings in the Brownhills and wider Walsall … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2016, Aldridge, Brownhills, Burglary, crime, Events, garage, garages, home security, local blogs, Pelsall, Police, Shed, Sheds, Shire Oak, vehicle, Walsall, West Midlands
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Meet your local police team for a chat in Brownhills this evening!
There’s a local police ‘Reassurance Session’ event coming at Brownhills Community Centre, just off the Miner Island in Brownhills this evening (Friday 13th December 2019) where you can meet the local policing team and discuss issues that are important to … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2019, 27 November, Brownhills, CommunitySafety Partnership, Events, home security, Police, Walsall, West Midlands
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Meet your local police team in Brownhills this evening!
There’s a local police ‘World Cafe’ event coming at Brownhills Community Centre, just off the Miner Island in Brownhills this evening (Wednesday, 27th November 2019) where you can meet the local policing team and discuss issues that are important to … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2019, 27 November, Brownhills, CommunitySafety Partnership, Events, home security, Police, Walsall, West Midlands
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More on Ogley Hay 4A!
Here’;s a great donation I had in in the last week from long time reader and contributor Robert Sault – a couple more photos of Ogley Hay Class 4A from some point in the mid to late 1960s. Rob said: … Continue reading
Get set for Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering next weekend!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at Huddlesford, near Lichfield. There will be boats, vintage and classic … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, 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, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, 24 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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Gerald Reece’s Chasewater in the 1960s
I thought I’d continue sharing the hugely popular recent run of archive images today and the real treat from the immense Gerald Reece collection this weekend consists of some rather special, but austere-looking shots of Chasewater, I’d say in it’s … Continue reading
Chapel and church, a gallery…
I’m continuing to share the Gerald Reece photos (and it’s really hard to spin them out but there’s some astounding stuff in the queue, let me assure you!) and today there’s a small gallery of images of local places of … Continue reading
Just a fortnight to go until Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield. There will be boats, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, 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, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, 24 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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Gerald Reece’s world of lost pubs and watering holes…
Here’s yet another photo treat for folk who remember the 70s, 80s and 90s in Brownhills – David Evans met up with the wonderful Gerald Reece on his 80th birthday walk a couple of weeks ago and Gerald shared some … Continue reading
Changing times and changing places
Here’s yet another photo treat for folk who remember the 70s, 80s and 90s in Brownhills – David Evans met up with the wonderful Gerald Reece on his 80th birthday walk a couple of weeks ago and Gerald shared some … Continue reading
Don’t forget: Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering coming soon!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield. There will be boats, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, 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, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, 24 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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Lost and found local businesses: Which do you recall?
Here’s a treat for folk who remember the 80s and 90s in Brownhills – David Evans met up with the wonderful Gerald Reece on his 80th birthday walk last week and Gerald shared some rather wonderful photos for us to … Continue reading
Gerald Reece and friends took another walk into history!
David Evans yesterday sent me this lovely gallery from Gerald Reece’s walk from Chasewater Railway yesterday morning (10th August 2019) – sadly the weather was atrocious and although I hoped to make it, I was unable to go and meet … Continue reading
Tubs of blood and lost palaces
There has been a great response to the recent series of articles on local cinemas from an old, long out of print Ned Williams book David Evans has spotted in the huge Gerald Reece collection. However, a comment made by honorary … Continue reading
Fancy joining Gerald Reece for a walk into history?
Hello folks – great news reaches me from David Evans. It seems that he’s been in communication with the greatest historian ever to have written about Brownhills, Gerald Reece, who will be returning to Brownhills on the 10th August 2019 … Continue reading
It was in the Blood…
This is the last of thee articles that David Evans has spotted in the huge Gerald Reece collection that have really interested me and are very much worth a share – they are from a very much lost local history book by … Continue reading
Lichfield and Hatherton’s huge 2019 Canal Heritage Gathering coming soon!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are busy preparing for their Heritage Gathering call and vintage festival which is coming up over the weekend of 21-22nd September 2019, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield. There will be boats, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, 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, Wildlife
Tagged 2017, 23 September, 24 September, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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In the Regent see period
There are a selection of articles that David Evans has spotted in the huge Gerald Reece collection that have really interested me and are very much worth a share – they are from a very much lost local history book by noted … Continue reading
When there was a Palace in Brownhills!
There are a selection of articles that David Evans has spotted in the huge Gerald Reece collection that have really interested me and are very much worth a share – they are from a very much lost local history book by noted … Continue reading
Brownhills Carnival event and funfair, 1988
As part of the Gerald Reece archive material from the great local historian’s collection, I last weekend featured a large gallery of photos of the 1988 Brownhills Carnival Parade, actually taken by Gerald’s son Gary for a local authority project. … Continue reading
Brownhills Carnival procession, 1988: A huge gallery
I thought I’d continue sharing the hugely popular 80s archive images today and the real treat from the immense Gerald Reece collection this weekend consists of this set from Gerald’s collection but actually taken by his son, Gary for a … Continue reading
It’s Ogley, ay? The demolition of a local school: Please help with my confusion!
Some more pictures here for a Saturday of a bit of a mystery perhaps readers can help with: Exactly when the Ogley School at the top left of Church Road was demolished. There’s a small but very interesting set from … Continue reading
Chasewater and the trotting track – back to the 80s
I thought I’d continue sharing the hugely popular 80s archive images today and the real treat from the immense Gerald Reece collection this weekend consists of the two related sets below. Here we have two sides of Chasewater in the … Continue reading
A lost local landmark and a snowy market day
Saturday means it’s time for yet more images from the huge Gerald Reece collection – so kindly donated for use on the blog by the great man himself. Today, I have a selection of random images not big enough to … Continue reading
The Station currently departing…
I think it’s about time for another excellent, memory-jogging gallery from the wonderful Gerald Reece collection – this one mostly of the end of the Station Hotel which I think would have been around 1988-90, when it was being replaced … Continue reading
Changing times on the canal: Local waterways in the 80s
Finally today for Sunday evening after a lovely day, what better to browse Tham the next gallery from the wonderful Gerald Reece collection, kindly supplied by the great local historian himself, and beautifuly scanned by the wonderful David Evans for … Continue reading
When Brownhills went off the rails
Since it’s Saturday and I’m very busy with work matters, I thought I’d feature the next gallery from the wonderful Gerald Reece collection, kindly supplied by the great local historian himself, and beautifuly scanned by the wonderful David Evans for … Continue reading
The Court of Sir Gerald and the crimefighting oss
Well, since it’s a miserable Saturday here in the Hills I thought I’d feature another gallery from the selection of wonderful photos donated to the blog by noted Brownhills historian Gerald Reece – and this set of Ravens Court is … Continue reading
We’m gooin up Norton Pewul!
In the last few days there has been a lot of interest in the subject of Chasewater in the old days – when Brownhills Urban District Council ran it as an amusement park, which was sadly, ultimately unsuccessful. Many of … Continue reading
The bridges of Brownhills county…
Lately, I’ve been featuring a selection of wonderful photos from the collection of well-respected Brownhills historian Gerald Reece, which he’s kindly allowed David Evans to scan and share with readers here on the blog. Earlier this week, we featured a … Continue reading
Under the bridge
Another quick one from the huge number of images generously donated to the blog by Sir Gerald of Reece recently, and this time we have an image of somewhere familiar to all of us, but I bet the folk from … Continue reading
Close to the wall – but where?
A quick mystery for a Saturday: This image was found in the whole wedge of stuff generously donated to the blog by Sir Gerald of Reece recently, and the young David Evans is very puzzled by it. I’ll be honest, … Continue reading
Meet your local coppers in Brownhills this afternoon!
Sorry for the late notice, but there’s another local police pop-up event this afternoon Saturday 2nd February 2019 where you can meet the local policing team and discuss issues that are important to you. It takes place in Brownhills Library, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2 February, 2019, Brownhills, CommunitySafety Partnership, Events, home security, Library, local blogs, Pelsall, planning, Police, Tesco, Walsall, West Midlands
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Live Yoghurt!
Regular readers will no doubt remember that I ran a special appeal here a few weeks ago for Jack McCreath who wanted to get in touch with former band-mates Gerald Reece and Bernard Howdle – they were in a folk … Continue reading
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
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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Warning: Attempted break in to occupied house in Shire Oak
A warning here for readers of the blog throughout the area, but particularly in the Shire Oak and Walsall Wood area, where on the early hours of Wednesday 1st November 2018 a resident of Shire Oak suffered an attempted break … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1 November, 2018, Attempted, break in, Brownhills, Burglary, car keys, Commonside, crime, Events, lock snap, Shire Oak, Walsall, West Midlands
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Meet you local coppers in Brownhills this morning!
Sorry for the late notice, but there’s another local police pop-up event this morning Tuesday 18th September 2018 where you can meet the local policing team and discuss issues that are important to you. It takes place in Brownhills Library, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 12 June, 2018, Brownhills, CommunitySafety Partnership, Events, home security, Library, local blogs, Pelsall, planning, Police, Tesco, Walsall, West Midlands
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