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Category Archives: planning
Chasewater: The whining continues
I note from local news services including Licfield Live, the Express and Star and local free sheets that local councillors in Chasewtown and Burntwood are still attempting to make lame political points out of the closure of the dam road … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged anglers, Anglesey Basin, angling, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Closure, Cycle rides, cycling, Eric Drinkwater, Express & Star, fishing, Local politics, permanent, planning, Pool Road, Redevelopment, Reservoir, roadblock, Silly, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
14 Comments
Brownhills Police Safety House open to the public this Monday
I received this press release from West Midlands Police, advertising an opening event at their Community Safety House in Brownhills. I thought it was important to share the details with readers here, who may wish to attend, or know more … 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 Brownhills, Community Safety House, CommunitySafety Partnership, Demonstration, Events, home security, Kevin Pitt, local blogs, Opening, planning, Police, Safe House, Walsall, West Midlands
1 Comment
Aldridge Transport Museum: open day today!
Readers will no doubt remember that Aston Manor Transport Museum moved to Aldridge last Christmas. Well, since then, the seem to be going from strength to strength. Today, they’re holding an open day at their Northgate, Aldridge site, so why … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Aston Manor, Beecham Business Park, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, Chasewater, event, Events, Facebook, Jack Allen, Local History, open day, planning, Transport Museum, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Fancy something a bit different this weekend?
If you don’t fancy doing the English tea party and cucumber sandwich thing this weekend, I can recommend Walsall’s Caldmore Village Festival. It’s been running for a good few years now and just gets better and better. This event takes place … Continue reading
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 a taste of Caldmore, Caldmore, celebration, diamond jubilee festival, Events, Facebook, food, Jubilee, local blogs, music, party, planning, things to see and do, Village Festival, Walsall, Walsall Council
1 Comment
Come to a Jubilee tea party in Brownhills this Saturday!
This looks like an interesting event for Saturday. There will be cake, so not being much of a royalist, that’s enough to get my vote. You can never have enough cake, as any cyclist knows. Vickie Heydon-Matterface had this to … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Cake, Events, Facebook, holiday weekend, Jubilee, Methodist Church, old lorry, planning, Silver Street, Tea PArty, Things to do, Vickie Heydon-Matterface
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A day at the races
I note today there’s been growing interest in the question of Brownhills Racecourse, such as it was. For younger readers, this wasn’t the old stadium by Chasewater which an unsuccessful trotting track, or it’s precursor, the trotting track on the … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger 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, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, charity, Clayhanger, David Evans, Dorsett, Events, football, Gerald Reece, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Pedro Cutler, Peter Cutler, Rabbit coursing, Race Course, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tesco Development, wakes, Water meadow, Watermead, William ROberts
12 Comments
Road to nowhere
In a week when our local rag is trying to convince us that it’s still indispensable and the most trusted source for news in the area, this fine example of the local newshound’s art caught my eye. Yet again, the … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Closure, Cycle rides, cycling, Eric Drinkwater, Express & Star, GR Thompson, Local politics, permanent, planning, Pool Road, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
1 Comment
Silver Waters. I kid you not…
I notice with some amusement that the Taylor Wimpey housing development between the Watermead and the Tesco petrol station in Brownhills has been given the nod, and has been christened with the utterly preposterous name of ‘Silver Waters’. Obviously harking … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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 Brownhills, Derelict, estate, house building, Local politics, Morris Homes, New Photos, newbuild, planning, Redevelopment, Silver Street, Silver Waters, Strange Notices, Taylor Wimpey, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Watermead Estate, Watermead Grange
7 Comments
Poisoning the well?
There’s something odd going on at the moment, that I’d like to get to the bottom of. I’ve now seen four separate instances of the incorrect assertion that the Senior Citizen’s protest stopped the Brownhills Tesco Redevelopment. The first was … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Brownhills OAP's, Brownhills pensioners, Brownhills Senior Citizens Club, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, John Goulding, Letter, Local politics, Mike Bird, Petition, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Lichfield Archeological Investigations
I note today that both Annette Rubery and Kate over at Lichfield Lore have been energised by the archeology currently ongoing prior to the new development starting near The Friary in Lichfield. Both have written interesting articles, and Annette has … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged Annette rubery, Archeology, boris bratby, Dig, Friary, history, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, Lichfield Lore, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Twitter
5 Comments
Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant
The local press is proving a rich seam of content at the moment here on the Brownhills Blog, and I really wanted to resist raiding yet another reader’s letter from yet another op-ed page. However, this one is so unbelievably … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Brownhills OAP's, Brownhills pensioners, Brownhills Senior Citizens Club, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, John Goulding, Letter, Local politics, Mike Bird, Petition, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
6 Comments
A sense of entitlement, much?
After the miasma of all the official ‘Dam works are complete, it’s good news week’ press releases, I was wryly amused to spot this letter in the Lichfield Mercury this week. the dust has barely settled on the Chasewater dam … Continue reading
Royal memories sought for community project
I was contacted yesterday by Naomi Jones at Brownhills Library, who asked me if I’d like to publicise their local history appeal for Royal Jubilee year. Whether you’re a royalist or not, the social impact of the royal events – … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, 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 Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills Library, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, coronation, display, Jubilee, local blogs, Local History, memories, Naomi Jones, Parkview Centre, photographs, photos, scan, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, street parties, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, wedding
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The Thacker family, around 1930
Top local history fellow David Evans is currently beavering away on a few projects in the background, and the other day I posted up a taster for his Streets Corner research. Today, I can give you something David is researching … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Features, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Cyril, David Evans, Farm, Highfields, House, Local History, New Photos, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Thacker
9 Comments
Pretzel logic
I noticed with wry amusement the letter from Gerald Bickley, of Brownhills Local Committee in the Walsall Advertiser last week. It’s interesting and welcome that we finally hear something from the somewhat somnambulant group apparently deeming to speak on behalf … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills Local Committee, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, Gerald Bickley, Hammerwich, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Pretzel, Signs, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
16 Comments
WHG finally pulls it’s finger out, parades bosses in hi-viz
Today, I received a PR puff for Walsall Housing Group, the housing association that own and look after Walsall Council’s former social housing stock. It seems that over two years from first planning application, they look set to start work … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Blue, Brownhills, Canal, Carole Wildman, Cheap tat, Gary Fulford, Humphries House, Knaves Court, Local politics, Mansell, Pink, planning, planning applications, Politics, Redevelopment, Severn House, Silly, Simon Liversage, social housing, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics, WHG
7 Comments
I heard it on the radio
BBC Radio WM’s Phil Upton Breakfast Show for Monday, 5th March 2012 featured the ongoing saga of Brownhills and Tesco, asking the question as to why the retail giant can’t seem to be bothered to undertake the redevelopment it promised … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Acropolis, Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Cafe, Cheap tat, Derelict, Doreen Gent, Express & Star, Local politics, Mike Bird, Phil Upton, planning, Politics, Radio WM, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
8 Comments
Chasewater dam: a look around the remaining works
I’ve been trying to post this all week, but haven’t had the time up until now. Last Sunday (26th February, 2012), I visited Chasewater, and to my surprise, the security fence around the remaining dam works site, surrounding the Pool … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dam works, dredging, Local politics, New Photos, nine foot, Panoramio, planning, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Spillway, Staffordshire, Wildlife
1 Comment
Tesco: have they given up on Brownhills?
I notice from an article in the Express & Star that Tesco appear to be getting cold feet on their plan for a new store for Brownhills. This is grim news, but I’m not surprised, and have been sensing all … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, Local politics, Mike Bird, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
24 Comments
Going for a Wimpey?
Whilst pottering about today, I noticed that the land between the Watermead Estate and Silver Street, near Tesco in Brownhills, had apparently changed hands. I noted last year that Morris Homes – the developers of Shire Oak Close on the former … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Derelict, Local politics, Morris Homes, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Silver Street, Strange Notices, Taylor Wimpey, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Watermead Estate, Watermead Grange
9 Comments
Anyone want to buy an old ammunition dump?
Thanks to the eagle eye of fellow local blogger The Stymaster, I can share the following sale document with readers of the blog. It seems Linley Woods – longstanding subject of reader curiosity hereabouts – is up for sale. Clearly … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Aldridge, ammunition, bunker, Cheap tat, Derelict, Diving, dump, Linley caverns, linley Caves, Linley Wood, local blogs, Local History, Pigblog, planning, Redevelopment, sale, sale document., Silly, store, Stymaster, Wartime
13 Comments
Something happening at the old Wheel Inn?
Thanks to a number of readers who’ve pointed out to me over the last couple of days that the old builders yard next to the Wheel Inn off Lindon Road, Brownhills, seems to have finally been purchased by Pat Collins … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Anthony Harris, Brownhills, Builders yard, Clayhanger, Derelict, expansion, Fairs, gospel hall, Leisure and Culture, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Pat Collins, planning, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wheel Inn, Wheel Pub
10 Comments
I hoard it on the radio
Today, top local bloke Brian Stringer (that’s the Clayhanger Kid, you know) had a slot on the Phil Upton show on BBC Radio WM. Going out at the ungodly hour of 7:20am, I doubt many hereabouts were sufficiently caffeine-infused to … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Audio clip, BBC, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, Hammerwich, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Phil Upton, Radio WM, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse
2 Comments
Good news on Brownhills Business Park: once again, sense prevails
I had a welcome email yesterday from top reader and contributor Andy Dennis. He pointed out that the appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the demolition of Brownhills Business Park and the construction of a housing development had … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Just plain daft, Local History, 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 Andy Dennis, Ashtenne Industrial Unit Fund Trust, Brownhills, Brownhills business park, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Effluent Disposal Limited, Local History, Local politics, planning, Redevelopment, Silly, Toxic dumping, Toxic waste, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery
7 Comments
A golden idea
In the miasma and lacklustre of the new year illness, I received this excellent email from The Clayhanger Kid, Brian Stringer. Many readers will remember that before Christmas, I featured an article here from the Express & Star, detailing his … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, Hammerwich, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
22 Comments
Heavy horses
Here’s something for fans of the steam trains which used to ply their trade along the lines of Brownhills. Reader and top bloke Dave Cresswell, who’s a founder member of, and top stalwart for the South Staffordshire Line restoration group, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills railway, Dave Creswell, Derelict, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Reopen our railway, Rob Taylor, Silly, South Staffordshire railway, Staffordshire, Steam trains, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Quantity surveying, 1892 style.
Here’s something you don’t often see. A job description for the construction of two local houses in 1892, by local builder Enoch Pagett. I wonder if a volunteer from the audience would like to transcribe these? Located by reader, writer … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1892, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bryan Link, builder, Clayhanger, David Evans, Enoch, Job description, Lindon Road, Local History, Pagett, Pubs, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
A5 roadworks coming soon…
An interesting (or maybe not…) press release reaches my humble inbox from the Highways Agency, about pedestrian crossing improvements on the A5 by Brownhills School at Newtown. Sadly, the release gives absolutely no information regarding the work that’s actually being … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged A5, Brownhills, crap press releases, cycling, Deakin Avenue, Highways Agency, Howdles Lane, improvement, Newtown, Pedestrian Crossing, planning, Redevelopment, Silly, The Style, Walsall Council, Watling Street
3 Comments
Oops, I nearly forgot…
I’ve been meaning to say for a few days now that for anyone visiting Chasewater at the moment, the eastern dam route has reopened to pedestrians and cyclists. This means that for the first time in 12 months, park users … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged boxing day, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dam, Express & Star, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Reopening, Reservoir, sailing club, Staffordshire, Wildlife
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What’s going on at Street’s Corner?
A number of friends and readers have recently asked me what’s going on on the old car sales lot at Street’s Corner where, after a long period of abandonment, hoardings have gone up and work seems to be underway. Permission … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accord, Brownhills, co-op, Derelict, derelict flats, Local politics, Memories of old Walsall Wood, Old car lot, Panoramio, planning, Planning application, Redevelopment, Saturn Motor Sales, Shire Oak, Street's Corner, Tesco, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wood
10 Comments
Transport Museum move to Aldridge, but they need your help!
Reader and top bloke David Evans has contacted me with an urgent appeal from the folk behind Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, which as many of you will be aware, is moving to Nothgate, Aldridge very soon. David forwarded an … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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 Alan Nath, Aldridge, Aldridge Web, Aston Manor, Brownhills, David Evans, Geoff Lusher, Jack Allen, local blogs, Local History, museum, New Photos, Northgate, Pigblog, planning, Redevelopment, Richard Gray, Road Transport Museum, Stymaster, Transport, Volant, Witton
7 Comments
If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
I note today with some concern from a report in the Express & Star that Walsall Council is talking about moving the Local History Centre and Archives, as well as the local history museum, into a new custom-built centre near … Continue reading
Posted in Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills local history, Cheap tat, Express & Star, Leisure Services, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, move to new site, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Silly, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Leather Museum, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Local History Museum, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Back from the dead?
It seems a bizarre, defeated planning application that has been covered here before on the blog has been resurrected. The plan to demolish Brownhills Business Park currently existing on the former site of Walsall Wood Colliery, and latterly Brownhills Commercials … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Ashtenne Industrial Unit Fund Trust, Brownhills, Brownhills business park, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Effluent Disposal Limited, Local History, Local politics, planning, Redevelopment, Silly, Toxic dumping, Toxic waste, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery
6 Comments
Interesting proposal for Staffordshire Hoard fans
I notice an interesting proposal has been put forward from Brownhills Blog reader and Clayhanger Kid Brian Stringer, to erect an information point near to where the Staffordshire Hoard was found in Brownhills. This doesn’t sound like a bad idea … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Hoard, Brownhills local history, campaign, Express & Star, Hammerwich, Hammerwich parish map, information, Local History, Local politics, monument, Ogley Hay, Sandhills, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Staffordshire hoard, Warrenhuse, West Midlands
2 Comments
A cartographic history
In my recent post ‘Other people’s maps’, I featured an excerpt from a secondhand 1951 issue 1:25,000 scale map I’d acquired from a map dealer. The map – with Brownhills at its heart – carried some rather unusual hand written … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Aldridge, Andy Dennis, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Coal measures, cycling, first edition, Geology, Local History, map, Mark T, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, OS, pathfinder, Rushall, second edition, Shelfield, Shire Oak, SK00, sk0010, SK43/00, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Walsall Wood
11 Comments
Have your say on Holland Park Surgery
I had a message a few days ago from The Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer. He’s involved with a new community liaison project going on at Holland Park Surgery, the medical practice operating from The Parkview Centre in Brownhills. Hi … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Facebook, Holland Park Surgery, local blogs, Local politics, NHS, Parkview Centre, patient participation group, planning, The Clayhanger Kid, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
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Walsall planning appeal shock!
Readers may well recall the excellent article about the regeneration of the Reedswood power station site, written by top contributor and Brownhills bloke Andy Dennis. In it, Andy pointed out that further development of the site outside the council’s guidelines … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Andy Dennis, Beechdale, Birchills, Canal, City Challenge, contaminated land, Demolition, Derelict, developers, Development, flickr, Local History, Local politics, mervyn_w, New Photos, Parhill Reclamation, Parkhill, Parkhill Estates, planning, Politics, power station, Redevelopment, Reedswood, Reedswood Way, Regeneration, town planning, Walsall, Walsall 1955, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall power station
1 Comment
The Swan pub opens again this Saturday!
It’s been a long time in the coming, but The Swan pub on the Pelsall Road in Brownhills will be opening again for business this Saturday, 29th October 2011. This is great news, and it has taken a while, but … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Derelict, Geoff Taylor, Jane Taylor, Local History, Pelsall Road, Pigblog, planning, Pub reopening, Publog, Pubs, Redevelopment, Reopening, Swan Inn, Swan Reopening, The Stymaster, The Swan
10 Comments
Brownhills Big Tidy Up
Brownhills Town Centre Partnership have been in touch and asked me to promote the first Brownhills Big Tidy Up, which seems like a decent event. Brownhills is always in need of some serious TLC, and as I pointed out yesterday, … Continue reading
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 Browhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills, Brownhills Big Tidy Up, Community Payback Team, Facebook, Local politics, planning, Princes Trust, Ravens Court, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall politics
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Silver Surfers event in Brownhills West today!
Had this press release yesterday, which looks like a good event for any senior citizens looking to get online. Seems like a decent project to be engaged in, and there’s a wealth of stuff online for those of more mature … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Area Partnership, Brownhills West, Kennet Close, Move!, OAP, planning, senior citizens, Silver Surfers, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Walsall Wood Library under threat
I notice from Monday’s Express & Star that Walsall council – fresh from their self congratulation over the promise not to close any libraries ‘…in this financial year’, seem to be tentatively floating the idea of moving Walsall Wood’s Library … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Cheap tat, Closure, Express & Star, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Mike Flower, Oak Park, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Library
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Do your bit
Yesterday, I had a great email from Lee Bragginton, leader of the First Walsall Wood Scout Group. I have a lot of time for the Scouts and the work they do with the youngsters, and this seems like a wonderful … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1st, appeal, Brownhills, Brownies, community centre, Cubs, Guides, hall, Lee Bragginton, planning, Redevelopment, Scouts, Shire Oak, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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The second coming
After the last post in which I made available the 1969 Ordnance Survey first series SK00 map of Brownhills, I can now present the map that replaced it. The first edition of the second edition (confused? You should be…) was … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, cycling, first edition, Local History, map, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, OS, pathfinder, Rushall, second edition, Shelfield, SK00, sk0010, Staffordshire
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The last of a generation
As promised last weekend, thanks to the diligence of reader and co-conspirator [Howmuch?], I can now make available full scans of the 1969 issue Ordnance Survey sheet SK00, covering Brownhills and north Aldridge. This is a 1:25,000 map, based largely … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, cycling, first edition, Local History, map, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, OS, Rushall, Shelfield, SK00, Staffordshire
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Chasewater… some news at last
I see that after a five week hiatus, there’s been an uncharacteristically useful update on the Lichfield District Council Chasewater Dam Blog, with some interesting information about the outlet culvert and valve controls system. The post has actually come from … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
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Synchronicity…
It’s funny how some things coincide. Last Monday (5th September) on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr, I posted a photograph of the now-closed Mango Tree restaurant on the Chester Road, near Stonnall. In a coincidence of extraordinary happenstance, later in the week … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged #30daysofbiking, #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cafe, Chester Road, curry, Derelict, Express & Star, Facebook, local blogs, Local History, Mango Tree, Mike Parkes, New Photos, new restaurant, Old transport Cafes, Panoramio, Pigblog, planning, Redevelopment, Saffron, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Stymaster, tumblr, Walsall Wood
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Renovation for Brownhills flats
I’ve just noticed this press release from Walsall Housing Group, issued earlier this week. It seems the worst kept secret in Brownhills is now out, and the two remaining sixties monstrosities – Humphries House and Severn House will be renovated … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged blocks, Brownhills, Cheap tat, flats, Humphries House, improvement, Local politics, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Regeneration, renovation, Severn House, Silly, Towerblocks, Walsall, Walsall Housing Group, WHG
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