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Category Archives: planning
When the engines roared at Wharf Lane
There’s an interesting sale currently up on eBay – I’d go for it myself, but suspect the film that’s up for sale would probably be better going into the hands of enthusiasts of motorbike scrambling.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 1974, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, ebay, Events, Film, Local History, M6Toll, motocross, Redevelopment, scrambling, Staffordshire, Things to do, wharf lane
4 Comments
Plan for 200 new homes in central Brownhills approved
Way back in April this year, I first noted the consultation and plan to finally redevelop the wasteland in Brownhills that was once Silver Court Gardens, the notorious tenement maisonette estate that was demolished in 2004, into over 100 dwellings.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 14/0767/FL, 14/0771/OL, 157, 40, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, dwellings, Environment, Events, Facebook, Fun stuff to see and do, gardens, homes, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, Market Place, new houses, News, phased, planning, Planning application, planning interactive, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Shared media, Silver, Spotted whilst browsing the web, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
2 Comments
Scouting out the history
I have been contacted by the Group Chairman of 2nd Brownhills Scout Group, Clive Chapman, who’d like to hear from locals who may have been Scouts, or people who worked with the group over the years – it’s their 100th anniversary next year, and Clive is looking to record the group’s history and organise a celebration event.
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, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, centenery, Clive Chapman, Cubs, Events, history, Local History, New Photos, Scouts, Shire Oak, Youth
9 Comments
Living on the skyline
Hey you lot – I owe you all, and the wonderful people at Distinctly Black Country an apology – for far too long I have neglected to share the excellent work been done by locals and professional historians alike into recording the remarkable histories of high-rise and system built housing across the Black Country.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chaz Mason, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Derelict, flats, high rise, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, planning, Redevelopment, Slum, Social History, social housing, Staffordshire, Things to do, tower lock, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife
12 Comments
The Acropolis cafe shuts; Middle Oak to close and B&M to open in Focus, Aldridge
Just a heads up on some local taking points I’ve had buzzing around for a couple of days now – A few readers including David Evans and Martin Littler have pointed out the longstanding Ravens Court cafe The Acroplolis seems to have closed down.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2014, application, B&M, Big K, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, David Evans, Derelict, Events, Focus, for, housing, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Middle, Mike Bird, New Photos, Northgate, Oak, planning, Pubs, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Royal, sale, Shire Oak, sold, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Smooth operators
Here’s a nice one to run for a change – a few days ago the young David Evans dropped me a line to tell me how impressed he was with the new road surface recently laid in Friezland Lane, Shire Oak by Tarmac LaFarge working for Walsall Council.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged August, Brownhills, complete, cycling, David Evans, Events, Friezland Lane, Green Lane, Lafarge, Lichfield, planning, praise, resurfacing, Shire Oak, Tarmac, thanks, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Consultation event in Brownhills this Wednesday!
This Wednesday, 3rd September 2014 from 10am-12pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event in Brownhills Library at The Parkview Centre in Brownhills. Everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 3 September, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, have your say, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Saving Sandfields – August meeting tonight
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues to garner support. Local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 26th August, beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Discovered, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, The Cruck House, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
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You can’t trust all you read in the paper…
Whew – panic over Yesterday, following a report in the Express & Star, I wrote of my concern that the old leisure centre at Oak Park in Walsall Wood would be demolished before a new one was built to replace it.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Demolition, man?
There was an interesting report in Monday’s Express & Star (18th August 2014) which points out the project to replace Oak Park leisure centre in Walsall Wood and the similar facility in Bloxwich is to start ‘next month’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, Demolition, Express & Star, houses, housing, Labour, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Sean Coughlan, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Road closure in Brownhills from tomorrow
I see that tomorrow, Friezland Lane in Shire Oak will be closed from 9am-5pm by Walsall Council for ten days for much needed resurfacing works – this is good news for residents and folk who use this cut through, but may cause delays and disruption to busses that use the route.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 20, 2014, 29, August, Brownhills, Clive Roberts, cycling, David Evans, Events, Friezland Lane, Green Lane, Lafarge, Lichfield, micro asphalt, planning, resurfacing, Shire Oak, Tarmac, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Aspirational my backside
I noticed in early summer that someone had been undertaking clearance work on a site near Brownhills, just down the Chester Road to the south of Shire Oak Nature Reserve, and was curious about it – it now seems that my question has been answered.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 14/0910/FL, application, Aspirational, astlehill, block, Brownhills, Chester Road, Derelict, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, planning, Politics, quarry, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Stonnall, Upper Stonnall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Works
12 Comments
Youth service in Walsall – important meeting tonight!
I note that Walsall Council have a scrutiny meeting this evening on the vexed matter of the Integrated Young People’s Support Service – that’s pretty much anything the council provides for kids and young people, including youth justice, targeted support, youth centres, the Education Business Partnership and parent partnership services.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
1 Comment
Saving Sandfields – monthly public meeting tonight
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues to garner support – local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2014, 27th, beam, campaign, Curborough Community Centre, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, June, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
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Please help Brownhills bloom!
Brownhills Town Centre Partnership have been in touch, and asked me to see if anyone fancies helping out with the Britain in Bloom competition entry from our town, which involves planting, litter picking and general sprucing up.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Britain in Bloom, Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Community Payback Team, Darlaston, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Things to do, Vandalism, Vickie Heydon-Matterface, Vivienne Aston, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Application submitted for large Brownhills housing development
It comes I’m sure, as no surprise that Walsall Housing Group (WHG) have been planning a huge new housing development in central Brownhills for some time now – after all, last month I advertised a one-day consultation on plans to build houses on the former site of Silver Court Gardens, behind Silver Court, on land that’s now vacant.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 14/0767/FL, 14/0771/OL, 157, 40, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, dwellings, Environment, Events, Facebook, Fun stuff to see and do, gardens, homes, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, Market Place, new houses, News, phased, planning, Planning application, planning interactive, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Shared media, Silver, Spotted whilst browsing the web, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
3 Comments
Friends of Sandfields – can you help?
The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues apace – local historian and activist Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for ages now, and he’d like as many people as possible to get involved.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged beam, campaign, Darwin Hall Community Asociation, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, listed, listing, local blogs, Local History, Morturn, planning, Preservation, Public Meeting, Pump, pumping station, Redevelopment, Sandfields, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, stationary, Things to do, Vandalism, Waterworks
2 Comments
Caldmore and Palfrey Festival this weekend!
You folks all know me well enough by now to see that I think it’s really important we get behind stuff that bonds us good folk and our communities together – one such event is the Caldmore and Palfrey Festival.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2014, 24, 25, 26, a taste of Caldmore, Aziz Ibrahim, Caldmore, celebration, Dalbir Singh Rattan, diamond jubilee festival, Events, Facebook, food, local blogs, May, music, Palfrey Festival, party, planning, things to see and do, Village Festival, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Redevelopment of Silver Court Gardens – have your say
There’s been loads of buzz since my article last weekend about the new development Walsall Housing Group are considering putting forward for the derelict wasteland that was once Silver Court Gardens in Brownhills – now you can attend the consultation and make your voice heard.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, Events, Facebook, gardens, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, phased, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silver, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
3 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
Silver Court Gardens – a positive development
Hey folks, this is important – I was sent a link to this press release by friend of the blog Sarah Treadwell on Friday, and this it is potentially great news – I’ve known for a while that Walsall Housing Group have been looking to redevelop the land left vacant a decade ago with the demolition of Silver Court Gardens in central Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Clayhanger, Consultation, Court, Derelict, Development, Events, Facebook, gardens, Humphries House, Lichfield, Lindon Drive, Local politics, phased, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silver, street, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
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
Middle Oak up for sale
I wouldn’t normally bother too much with this, but there’s been a fair bit of rumour locally and it’s worth pointing out that the current landlords of the Royal Oak in Shire Oak, Brownhills (known as ‘The Middle’) will apparently be taking over a refurbished Royal Exchange in Walsall Wood, and the Royal Oak has been placed on the market by it’s current owners.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Facebook, For Sale, Housing Development, Local History, Mathhew Phillips Surveyors, Middle Oak, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, refurbishment, Royal Exchange, Royal Oak, Shire Oak, Twitter, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Dead ground?
I’ve had an interesting enquiry from Laura Watkins, about the cemetery in Barnetts Lane, Brownhills, and it’s a little unusual in nature.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Avenues, Barnetts Lane, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cemetery, Daisys, field, Lichfield, Local History, Meadow, New Photos, Old maps, Opening, planning, Second Avenue, St James, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood Secondary School
22 Comments
The final lot
The demolition is by now nearly complete – after 155 years extant, and about 40 of those derelict, the former St John’s School in Walsall Wood has now largely reduced to pallets of bricks and oddments of scrap.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, Cawarden Brick and Tile, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Rugeley, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Breaking down the walls…
The tenacity and charm of the young David Evans continues to be rewarded, and he has again created great pictorial documentation of the demolition process being undertaken on the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Stuart, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Demolition, man
Thanks to the keen eye and subsequent alert by reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the outrageous cheek, charm and loquaciousness of the young David Evans, I can present internal and external shots of the former St. John’s School in Walsall Wood, currently undergoing demolition.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cawarden Brick, demolish, Demolition, Derelict, history, houses, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, reclamation, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, St. Johns School, Things to do, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
16 Comments
Brick by brick
Today, thanks to the eagle eye of reader, fellow local blogger and freind of the blog @thestymaster, plus the dedication and guile of a couple of regular blog readers and contributors, we have managed to catch the last days of a local, doomed landmark: St. John’s School, in Walsall Wood.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 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
14 Comments
Beyond the flames
Here’s a quick one – a lovely photo sent in by Marion Jones from her father’s collection – a photo of a grassfire on the land that would become Clayhanger Common, but it’s not the grassfire itself (and this is a fine picture of that), it’s what’s going on in the background.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Bayley House, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Common, Events, Grass fire, Local History, Marion Jones, New Photos, photo, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Stimoson, The Spot, under construction, Vandalism, Waine House
5 Comments
The Wheatsheaf, Brownhills – what do we know?
Here’s a quick one I’ve been asked about on twitter, and it’s piqued my interest to such an extent that I thought I’d post the question here, particularly while there’s a similar discussion centring around the Royal Exchange in Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged beer hosue, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, dogrio5630, Gerald Reece, Helen Dalton, John Insull, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Ogley, Ogley Hay, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Square, Staffordshire, The Wheatsheaf, Things to do, Tony Williams, Twitter, William Danks
15 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
Work starts on Holland Park improvements
I had this press release yesterday from Walsall Council, and I think it’s important to share it here – it’s nice to see Holland Park getting some love at long last – the paths and some aspects of the fabric have needed attention for a while now.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, cycling, Darren Hodgkiss, Holland Park, infrastructure, Local politics, maintenance, Pavements, planning, refurbish, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife, work
11 Comments
Please help Age UK if you can
Yesterday, I received this appeal from Mark Fellows of Age UK, who’s compiling a list of services, clubs and activities for those aged 50 plus in our area – first up, he needs contact details for Clayhanger Senior Citizens Club, but also details of any such services for senior citizens in out area.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged activities, Age UK, Aldridge, Brownhills, centres, Clayhanger, clubs, David Evans, Directory, Events, Lichfield, list, local blogs, OAP, senior citizens, services, Shire Oak, social, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Court out
Here’s a little bit of a curiosity we’ve dabbled with here on the blog for the last few weeks – Silver Court in Brownhills, and the possibility it was once extended. 
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council
Tagged 1960's, 1:2500, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Google Earth, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Road, new Street, Old maps, overlay, planning, Redevelopment, Severn House, Silver Court, Staffordshire, Things to do
12 Comments
The lost and fallen, lost then found again
This post is in answer to the query of 19th Noveber 2013, when Kathy Hodson of Wolverhampton, contacted me on twitter looking for the war memorial from Browhills West Methodist Church.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills West, Brownhills West Methodist Church, Chapel, demolished, Derelict, Kathy Hodgson, Lichfield, Local History, Lost, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Rehoboth, Severn Road, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, war memorial
12 Comments
Silver caught?
A couple of weeks ago, I posted the following map here of central Brownhills from the late 1960s, in answer to an enquiry tied up with the thread about the Salvation Army Hall in Brownhills – it’s a great map, and at the time it caused quite a bit of interest.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1960's, 1:2500, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Google Earth, Humphries House, KMZ, Local History, New Photos, New Road, new Street, Old maps, overlay, planning, Redevelopment, Severn House, Silver Court, Staffordshire, Things to do
9 Comments
Fighting a losing battle
Every now and then, something comes through whilst compiling the blog that stuns me, and pulls me up short. It’s happened twice recently – firstly with Chris Pattison’s wonderful 1952 Walsall Observer article on Clayhanger’s flooding problem, and secondly with this rare and beautiful gem from reader Marion Jones.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Bennets Hill, Clayhanger Common, Culverts, Derelict, Drain, Drainage, flooding, Ford Brook, Kenneth Granger Wheale, Local History, Marion Jones, Marsh, New Photos, Pump, pump house, River Tame, Robert Green, Samuel Wheale, Spot Lane, Staffordshire, stormwater, Subsidence, The Spot, The Spot pumping station
12 Comments
Dancing was allowed
Well, here it is – not merry Christmas (although that’s bearing down upon us) but the fourth and final instalment of the history of Ogley Hay, as researched and written by local historian Gerald Reece, in his remarkable book ‘Brownhills A Walk Into History’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, CLive L Roberts., Flour, Gerald Reece, Great CHarles Street, Iron Works, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mill, Ogley Hay, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Engine workshop, Stonnall, Warren House
15 Comments
The Ironmaster
Welcome to the third of what was to be a three-instalment series, covering Ogley Hay, the history of Brownhills businessman Charles F Cotterill and the towns evolution into the place we know today, as written by local historian Gerald Reece, in his remarkable book ‘Brownhills A Walk Into History’.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills activities, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cannock Chase Colliery Company, CLive L Roberts., Flour, Gerald Reece, Great CHarles Street, Iron Works, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Mill, Ogley Hay, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Engine workshop, Stonnall, Warren House
7 Comments
Purity was the gift
A couple of weeks ago, I alerted readers to a preview clip of a film that local historian Dave Moore was making in support of his Save Sandfields Pumping Station Campaign – well, yesterday Dave posted the complete film on the campaign blog.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, 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, Vandalism, Waterworks
6 Comments
Fist of Glory, fists of rage
I see the genius of SalmonCorporation has been at work again – this film is an uncomfortable piece of genius that needs to be spread far and wide, like it’s precursor ‘Walsall: Everything a pound’.
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Posted in 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, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged animation, £1, Cheap tat, Derelict, Events, Everything a pound, Fist of Glory, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Pubs, Redevelopment, SalmonCorporation, short, Silly, Stuart Williams, Tesco, Tesco Development, Twitter, Vandalism, video, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Youtube
3 Comments
Carers’ Rights event at Brownhills and Pelsall this Friday
Hey, this is really important. As many readers will know, the issues surrounding carers and their support is a subject dear to my heart, and in these particularly difficult times it’s really vital that anyone who is a carer, or who may be a carer’s friend or relative makes sure that all the help available is understood and claimed.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, 29th November, Aldridge, benefits, Brownhills, Carers, Clayhanger, entre, event, Events, Library, Lichfield, Parkview, reminiscence pod, respite care, rights, Shire Oak, Social Care, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Coucil, Walsall Council, week
1 Comment
A film on the water
Dave Moore, late of this parish and tireless campaigner for all things local and historical is doing something really interesting for his Save Sandfields Pumping Statio Camapaign, and taking a really unique approach. Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged beam, campaign, Dave Moore, Derelict, Engine, English Heritage, 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, Vandalism, Waterworks
8 Comments
Brownhills West Methodist Church war memorial – can you help?
Here’s an odd little enquiry from Kathy Hodson of Wolverhampton, who contacted me on twitter yesterday looking for the war memorial for Browhills West Methodist Church.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills West, Brownhills West Methodist Church, Chapel, demolished, Derelict, Kathy Hodgson, Lichfield, Local History, Lost, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Severn Road, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, war memorial
5 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
Revised plans submitted for Oak Park replacement
I noticed last week that revised plans had been submitted for the replacement of the decaying Oak Park Leisure Centre at Walsall Wood – I thought I’d feature them here as a fair few folk are interested in the issue, and it remains somewhat contentious.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Coppice Road, houses, housing, Leisure Centre, Leisure Services, Local politics, new, New Photos, Oak Park, planning, Plans, Rebuild, rebuilt, Redevelopment, revised, Shire Oak, submitted, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Consultation event in Brownhills this afternoon!
Don’t forget that this Thursday, from 2-4pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at The Parkview Centre, Brownhills – everyone is invited to attend and offer their view on prospect cuts to the local council budget, and Council Officers will be on hand to discuss matters.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Consultation event in Walsalll Wood this evening
Don’t forget that this evening, from 4-6pm, there’s a Walsall Council budget Consultation event at Oak Park, Walsall Wood from 4-6pm.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, 5th November, Aldridge, Brownhills, Budget, budget consultation, Clayhanger, Consultation, Events, Lichfield, Local politics, Mike Bird, Oak Park, planning, Politics, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Build it and they’ll come
David Evans, top blog contributor and local historian extraordinaire, has strong connections with the local Methodist Movement – in this capacity, David has been working very hard indeed on the following article on the construction of the New Chapel for some weeks now, and I’m proud and honoured to present it for readers.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1891, Brownhills local history, Chapel, Church, David Evans, Demolition, Ebenezer, Events, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Memorial Stones, Mercury, New Photos, Opening, planning, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
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
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