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Category Archives: Shared memories
Find out about the Lichfield Morris – free talk on tonight!
Tonight at 7:30pm, (Monday 8th February 2016), they have a wonderful free talk at Curborough Community Centre, on the subject of the celebrated and longstanding Lichfield Morris.
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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, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 8 February, cardigan, Cur borough Community Centre, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, Lichfield Morris, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Peter Cole, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Twitter
1 Comment
Rescue me
The great Bill Mayo, local historian and photo collector, has recently been digging in his files and found a few mystery images, like the one above of a local mines rescue team.
Posted in Cannock Chase, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, coal mines, colliery, Coppy Pit, David Evans, Features, Grove Colliery, Grove pit, Local History, Mine rescue, mines recue cup, Mines rescue, mining, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Staffordshire, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Colliery, Walsall Wood Pit, William Harrison
2 Comments
Night lines
Those wonderful Anslow brothers have been at it again and sent me a lovely bit of Walsall Wood history – inspired by the remarkable ‘Poacher’s Apprentice’ film I featured here a few weeks ago.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1924, Anslow, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Edgar Pritchard, Jane, Joe Timmins, john, Lichfield, Local History, May, New Photos, Paul, Poacher, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, street, thatched cottage, The Poachers Apprentice, Things to do, Walsall Wood, wedding, Wlater, Wood, Yates
4 Comments
Important appeal: Do you know Ian Turner or Rendell Woods?
This is very unusual, but I think is somewhat important – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Tuesday (2nd February 2016) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1926, 1960, 2016, Aldridge, Family, help, Ian Turner, Julie Venables, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Patient, releatives, Rendell Woods, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wednesbury, West Midlands
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A town united in mourning
The Grove Pit Disaster that took the lives of fourteen men on October 1st, 1930 left deep scars on the Brownhills and Norton communities – and the funeral and memorial service for the men taken was a huge public event that drew massive crowds.

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accident, Bill Mayo, Brownhills, Brownhills cemetery, Brownhills local history, Grove Colliery, Grove pit disaster, Janet Whittaker, John Bernard Whittaker, Local History, Mining accidents, mining memorials, New Photos, photos, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – January 2016 public meeting this Thursday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Thursday evening (Thursday 28th January 2016) there will be a public progress meeting for the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2016, 28th January, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, Duke of York, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Important appeal: Do you know Kenneth Rogers?
This is very unusual, but I think is somewhat important – this request was posted by the Communication Team at Walsall Manor Hospital Monday (18th January 2016) and I’d like all locals to have a think about it, and if any of you can, please do help.
Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 1948, Family, help, Kenneth Rogers, Lichfield, Manor Hospital, Patient, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
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If only there was an online archive…
Nearly two years ago, in March 2014, I featured a rather remarkable image here supplied by Chris Leggett of the Express & Star, which he had released as an example of the remarkable stuff to be found hidden in the newspapers archive, which the paper is still in the process of bidding for funding to put online.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1973, Aldridge, archive, Bid, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, caught, Chris Leggett, crash, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, Helicopter, Kenneth Cornwell, Lichfield, lines, Local History, Malcom Wright, New Photos, overhead, parachute, Peter Nesbit, photo, Reservoir, Show, Silly, skydiver, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Stowe Pool, Stuntman, survey, tangle, Things to do, Twitter, winch
6 Comments
Aldridge Manor – commemorate a great history this Friday!
I’ve just noticed that there’s a unique event happening this coming Friday afternoon in Aldridge at the Manor House, marking this fine building’s unique history as a military hospital.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 15 January, 2016, Aldridge, Blue, ceremony, Events, House, Len Boulton, Lichfield, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Manor, Plaque, Staffordshire, Sue Satterthwaite, Things to do, Walsall Council
4 Comments
2016 New Year Quiz results
Well, this year’s quiz is complete, and we have winners – thanks for taking part, being good sports and for persevering with what were, on reflection, very tough questions!
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, prize, quiz, results, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood, winners
7 Comments
Who’s that girl?
In the informative and fascinating discussion over the question of George Colley and Lisa Ashby’s research into the Holden family that I feature here last week, an interesting side issue was raised: that of the identity of the well built;t lady in several 1926 General Strike era local photos.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Uncategorized, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Albert Beddow, Asby, Baggot, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cag, Daryl Preston, Downes, group photo, Hannah Beddow, Harriet Beddow, Jane Boundford, Julia Holden, Lisa, Lisa Downes, Local History, Louisa Johnson, Lynn, Martha Price, Middle Oak, Miriam Holden, New Photos, old photo, Photo restoration, Pubs, Red Lion, Royal Oak, Ruth Holden, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, William Holden
9 Comments
New year quiz 2016: part two for the explorers…
Right, here’s the second half of the Brownhills Blog New Year Quiz 2016 – these questions are for those who can explore the area and have a nose around – the first set were released yesterday, and are for those who may be unable to explore or just prefer to research their answers online.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, part 2, prize, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
142 Comments
New year quiz 2016: part one for the researchers…
Sorry, I’m running dreadfully late – here it is, the Brownhills Blog New Year 2016 quiz – get stuck in and see if you can win! Last year’s was a great success, but it didn’t run for long so we’ve had a bit of a format change.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2016, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, New Year, prize, quiz, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
78 Comments
Memory Map
Thanks to the two readers who kindly pointed out that the Linley Wood camp – occupied post World War Two by homeless families under the then remarkable and widespread ‘squatting’ movement – is actually shown on the archive 1945 Google Earth imagery.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Air Ministry, Aldridge, Bomb dump, Bomb Store, Deepjoy films, Diving, Industrial Estate, Lichfield, linley Caves, Linley Wood, Linley Wood munitions store, Local History, munitions dump, Munitions store, RAF, Redhouse, urban exploration, Urbex
5 Comments
Walk off that turkey with Lichfield Discovered this Sunday!
Feeling a bit porky after the Christmas excess – Are you up for an interesting an refreshing walk through Lichfield’s canal history this Sunday – Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is venturing out for a history walk with her informal and fun social history group, Lichfield Discovered.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, 27 December, ale, beer, Canal, cardigan, Discovered, Duke of Wellington, event, Events, Facebook, Festive, Fosseway, free, Gomez, Guildhall, history, hristmas, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Pipe Hill, pub, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, walk
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We finally made it to Christmas…
I’d like to wish all blog readers, contributors and friends a merry Christmas and a very happy, peaceful and prosperous new year – may 2016 bring all you hope for.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, Greetings, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Politics, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
15 Comments
Encamped
Here’s one I’ve been trying to feature for a couple of weeks now but lack of time has prevented me from doing so – you’ll remember a few weeks ago, we uncovered the fascinating story of homeless families taking vacant possession of an ex-army camp at Linley Woods, part of a much larger movement of ‘Squatters’ across the UK in the immediate aftermath of World War 2.
Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Air Ministry, Aldridge, Bomb dump, Bomb Store, Deepjoy films, Diving, Industrial Estate, Lichfield, linley Caves, Linley Wood, Linley Wood munitions store, Local History, munitions dump, Munitions store, RAF, Redhouse, urban exploration, Urbex
5 Comments
Well connected
I’ve had this one in for a while, and a grey Sunday seems about the right time to share it, as I’m sure this wonderful post from blog rail historian Ian Pell will be of interest both those engaged with local rail history and those with a focus on the industrial development of our area.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1938, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Events, explosive store, Express & Star, Ian Pell, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Norton Junction, OS, Pelsall, South Stafforshire Railway, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood Branch
11 Comments
Have a Christmas pint with Lichfield Discovered tonight!
It’s time to get out your Santa hats because Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is convening a celebration of all that’s wonderful about Christmas, pubs and our nearest city tonight with her informal and fun social history group, Lichfield Discovered.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 16 December, 2015, ale, beer, cardigan, Christmas, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, Festive, free, Gomez, Guildhall, history, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, pub, Silly, social evening, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Twitter, walk
1 Comment
Me engine’s flooded!
I’ve been contacted by readers Denis Jones and Ian Race, who both spotted a rather extraordinary thing at Chasewater yesterday: an echo of the past, whit modern amphibious cars cruising around the lake.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community
Tagged 1960's, 1965, Amphibian, amphibicar, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Car, Chasewater, Events, Ferrie, Local History, New Photos, pleasureboat, Ralph, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, tony Winn, Walsall Observer
2 Comments
Make a present of the past
This is a reminder that currently available hereabouts, there are some great local history books that would make excellent Christmas presents for local history buffs or folk who just want to remember, or learn about our local history.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Book, Book new, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CLive L Roberts., Events, Facebook, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Things to do
7 Comments
Squatters rights?
Sometimes I get emails or contacts out of the blue with subjects that just knock me flat – and overnight I received a lovely, kind email from Malcolm Clarke, an ex-local now residing in New Zealand – Malcolm has an interesting bit of history I had no idea had occurred locally.
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Posted in Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1957, Air Ministry, Aldridge, Bomb dump, Bomb Store, Deepjoy films, Diving, Industrial Estate, Lichfield, linley Caves, Linley Wood, Linley Wood munitions store, Local History, munitions dump, Munitions store, RAF, Redhouse, urban exploration, Urbex, Walsall Observer
21 Comments
Do you know the Perrett family?
I’m looking for any local relatives of Mary Margaret Perrett who passed away in Burntwood a few years ago – Mary lived with her husband, who is also sadly no longer with us – as far as I’m aware, they had lived in Burntwood for a number of years.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media
Tagged 2015, appeal, Burntwood, Family, husband, Lichfield, Local History, Lost, Margaret, Mary, Perrett, Staffordshire, Things to do
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It was different before it all changed
Thanks to local historian and author Clive Roberts who tipped me off, I can share with readers the above, somewhat remarkable image of the Brownhills end of Pelsall Road from a George Lewis postcard, dated around 1915.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clive Roberts, ebay, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Pelsall Road, Postcard, Staffordshire
4 Comments
Up the junction
A really great thing about keeping this blog for such a long period of time now is knowing the breadth and diversity of the knowledge present amongst the readership – and for matters on rail and infrastructure history, Ian Pell is the expert (although he always protests to the country!)
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1938, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Events, explosive store, Express & Star, Ian Pell, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Norton Junction, OS, Pelsall, South Stafforshire Railway, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood Branch
3 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – November public meeting this Thursday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Thursday evening (Thursday 26th November 2015) there will be a public progress meeting for the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, 26 November, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, Duke of York, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Rosie’s Christmas Gift Fair on today!
Here’s a very late one just in courtesy of Linda Mason: Rosie’s There’s a Christmas Gif Fair on today in Aldridge, in aid of Rosie’s Helping Hands Charity – It takes place from 11pm to 4pm at Aldridge Compass Suites.
Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 2015, 22 November, Aldridge, charity, Christmas Gift Fair, Compass Suite, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Festival, fun day, Masonic hall, memorial, Rosie Ross, Rosie's Helping Hands, sponsored, Sunday, Things to do, walk, Walsall
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In the Wernick of time
Friend of the blog, community activist and Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer has sent the above image of a local football team and is desperately trying to identify the unknown chap (who is, I believe centre front row).
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1962, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills community colts, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Kid II, Clayhanger Kid Two, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Facebook, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, II, local blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Social media, Staffordshire, The Clayhanger Kid, Walsall community, Walsall WOod FC, Wernicks FC, Who's putting the nets up
8 Comments
Quiz Night and Supper at The Memo tonight!
Tonight – Saturday November 21st, 2015 – there will be quiz night and supper up at The Memo in Lichfield Road, Brownhills, starting at 7:30pm.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills events, Brownhills Memo, Brownhills Memorial Hall, November 21, Quiz night, supper, Things to do
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New Brownhills history book hot off the presses!
A little bird tells me (well, actually Walsall Local History Centre tweeted) that there’s a brand new Brownhills local history book just come out – the third from local researcher and historian Clive Roberts of Walsall Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Book, Book new, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, CLive L Roberts., Events, Facebook, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Snippets of Local History in and around Shire Oak', Staffordshire, Things to do
12 Comments
The Toll Collector and the Red Cow
A bit busy this week to be honest, but I’ve had this pair of enquiries in for a week now, so I thought that this would be an opportune moment to throw them out to the audience both have come in via Facecebook.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, Anchor, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Facebook, heath End, House, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pelsall, Pubs, Red Cow, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, toll
7 Comments
Be prepared!
I have been contacted by John Currie of the 2nd Brownhills Scouts who’d like to say thanks to the wonderful people at Aldridge Fire Station for hosting them on a recent visit, and he has a useful bit of home safety information he’d like to share with readers.
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, Aldridge Fire, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cubs, Events, Fire, Green Watch, John Currie, New Photos, safety, Scouts, Shire Oak, Youth
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Walsall Wood Boys Brigade reunion this Wednesday!
Here’s a great thing happening this Wednesday (18th November 2015) at the Walsall Wood FC Clubhouse, Oak Park from 7:30pm – the annual reunion of Walsall Wood Boys Brigade.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th December, Boys Brigade, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, D Evans, David Evans, Ebenezer Boys Brigade, Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Church, football, Ivor Osborne, Local History, new organ, New Photos, reunion, Reunion Christmas, sixties, Staffordshire, team, team photo, Walsall Wood, Wednesday
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A brutal death
This is an odd one I can’t fit in anywhere else, so people who aren’t in to my architecture obsession may want to tune out now – but I will alert readers to something: almost unnoticed, to people over the age of around 35, the Birmingham we knew is gradually being erased – if you want to see it one last time, go soon.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Brindley Place, Brutalism, Bull, Bullring, Canal, Cheap tat, Christmas Market, cityscape, David Evans, Frankfurt, Gingerbread, Lichfield, markey, new Library, New Photos, planning, Redevelopment, Secret Garden, Things to do
23 Comments
Moving images
Thanks to local community dynamo Steve Lightfoot, I can share with readers the film which was projected onto the exterior of St. Anne’s Church, Chasetown, for this year’s Remembrance commemorations on the evening of 11th November 2015.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 11 November, 150 years, 2015, 2105, Burntwood Chase Heritage Group, Chase Wakes, Chasetown, David Harper, David Hill, Events, Facebook, Film, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Luxmuralis, New Photos, Peter Walker, projected, Remembrance, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Things to do, video
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A Legion of thanks!
Further to the pictures from Remembrance Sunday Wendy Dance, treasurer of Brownhills Branch of the Royal British Legion has been in touch to tell us all about the RBL in Brownhills, and to thank residents of Brownhills for their extraordinary generosity regarding the annual Poppy Appeal.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 8th November, Brownhills, Cancelled, Dance, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Police, Remembrance, Ron, Rose Villa, Royal British Legion, Scouts, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, under threat, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wendy
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Meet Lichfield Discovered over a pint tonight!
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is has an informal local history meeting on this evening with her irreverent and fun Lichfield history group, Lichfield Discovered.

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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, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 11 November, 2015, Bird Street, cardigan, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, Lichfield, Lichfield history group, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, social evening, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Tuesday, Twitter
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Brownhills Remembrance Sunday pictures
After posting the photos of the Walsall Wood Remembrance event on Sunday, I received a bit of an indignant enquiry as to where the photos of the Brownhills Remembrance Parade were.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 8th November, Brownhills, Cancelled, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Police, Remembrance, Scouts, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, under threat, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Taking the Lichfield waters
I see that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is has an interesting talk on this evening with her irreverent and fun Lichfield history group, Lichfield Discovered.

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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, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, 7 October, Bird Street, cardigan, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Kings Head, Lichfield, Lichfield history group, local blogs, Local History, Lore, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, social evening, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Tuesday, Twitter
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Walsall Wood Remembrance Sunday pictures
Just a quick one – The young David Evans today went to his local Remembrance event in Walsall Wood, which regulars will remember has been the cause of some controversy this year.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 8th November, Brownhills, Cancelled, David Evans, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Police, Remembrance, Scouts, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, under threat, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Those haunted, troubled eyes
Every year I write a post for Remembrance but this year I’m going to keep it short, because I still believe wholeheartedly in what I wrote last year, and as far as I’m concerned that’s still my view.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills local history, Conflict, Korea, Local History, Memory, Remembrance, Soldiers off the Street, Sunday, West Midlands Police, WMP
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Details of 2015 local Remembrance events
Following my request for information to make a list of local Remembrance events, I can again share with readers a list of local Remembrance services taking place locally this Remembrance Sunday, 8th November 2015.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Heath Hayes, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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2015 Remembrance services – can you help with details please?
This is just a quick request for help – in the past couple of years, we have crowdsourced from readers a list of local Remembrance parades and events taking place throughout the area, that was popular and useful to many of the readership.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Details, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Perspectives
A lovely thing reaches me from Jill Manchester of Walsall Wood, who’s sent me some lovely old postcard images of the village – scanned beautifully, I have to say – together with some images matched as closely as possible from the same viewpoint in 2006.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Beardsmore, Brookland Road, Brownhills local history, Castle Road, Church, Ellen, Harry, High Street, Jill Manchester, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, postcards, Shire Oak, St Johns, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
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Plea to find family of man who passed away in Walsall hospice
Walsall Environmental Heath Department have issued an appeal to trace the family of Walsall resident Mr. Raymond Francis, who passed away in St. Giles Hospice, Goscote recently.
Walsall Environmental Heath Department have issued an appeal to trace the family of Walsall resident Mr. Raymond Francis, who passed away in St. Giles Hospice, Goscote recently.
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Posted in Environment, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, 29th October, Austin Street, Basalt Close, Bloxwich, died, Environmental Health, Family, help, Lichfield, Neil Harris, passed away, Raymond Francis, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – October public meeting this Thursday
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this Thursday evening (Thursday 29th October 2015) there will be a public progress meeting for the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, 29 october, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, Duke of York, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Great news from Lichfield Waterworks Trust – Sandfields is saved!
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore published a really important post yesterday on the Lichfield Waterworks Trust blog, in which he announces the wonderful and welcome news that Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield has been handed over to the Trust.
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, 27 august, Architecture, at risk, Black Country, buildings, Dave, David, Discovered, Duke of York, event, Events, Facebook, free, heritage, Kate Gomez, lecture, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, local blogs, Local History, Lore, meeting, Moore, pub, Sandfields, Saved, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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