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Category Archives: Shared memories
Cartoon capers
The post here last Sunday discussing the Newtown area of Brownhills certainly created some interest and raised a few more memories and discussions – and one particular aspect caught the eye of reader and long term friend of the blog Tony Winn.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 2015, 60's, 70's, Anglesey Arms, Avenue, Barbara, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cinefilm, Colin Ray, David Evans, Deakin, Dorothy Emma Tunstall, dual carriageway, Film, Foxes Row, Fre, history, Howdles Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Maisonettes, Mavis Woodhouse, memories, New Photos, Newtown, Shingler, Staffordshire, The Fault, Things to do, tony Winn, Watling Street
3 Comments
Open day and night
Last week I featured here an interesting postcard I’d spotted for sale on eBay, featuring a cafe on the Watling Street I’d not heard of before – The Jubilee, which turned out to be what is now an Indian restaurant, but was previously the Happy Eater, and the adjacent garage of Paul Depper MGs.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, bridgtown, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cafe, Cannock, ebay, great Wylrley, Jubilee, Jubilee Cafe, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Postcard, Social Club, Staffordshire, Wailing Street
9 Comments
Illuminating Ray – one for the researchers?
I have here an excellent enquiry for a Sunday afternoon which I feel many readers will be very, very interested in – not least Andy Dennis, if he’s passing, but maybe others concerned with the Newtown area on the Watling Street, which has been the subject of so many past articles here on the blog.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged 2015, 60's, 70's, Anglesey Arms, Avenue, Barbara, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, cinefilm, Colin Ray, David Evans, Deakin, Dorothy Emma Tunstall, dual carriageway, Film, Foxes Row, Fre, history, Howdles Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Maisonettes, Mavis Woodhouse, memories, New Photos, Newtown, Shingler, Staffordshire, The Fault, Things to do, Watling Street
21 Comments
Burntwood Blue Birds reunion this evening
As usual, I’m a bit late to the party with this but this is a very important announcement for anyone who was a member of, or is interested in the marching bands so popular in our area that were huge from the 1930s onwards, but particularly in the 60s-90s.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 17 October, 2015, Book, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burntwood Blue Birds, Cannock, Carnival, Chase Royals, Chasewater, Competition, Events, Facebook, Jazz bands, local blogs, Local History, marching bands, New Photos, Parade, re union, reunion, Rushall, St Matthews Sports and Social Clube, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Red Caps, Wendy Jones
3 Comments
Float on
Here’s a nice image from the past for a Friday – and I’m hoping a fair few readers will recognise the faces and hopefully have memories of the occasion – the 1954 Brownhills Carnival.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged 1954, Brenda Roberts, Brian Taylor, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Carnival, Dave Roberts, float, Hilda Roberts, Janet Grice, Jean Harris, Jonny Hill, Keith Grice, local blogs, Local History, Maurice Smith, Roger Hill, Roy Longworth, Roy Smith, Terry Mincar, Twitter
2 Comments
Celebrating a Jubilee?
I spotted an interesting postcard on everyone’s favourite tat bazaar last week, advertising the ‘Jubilee Cafe and social Club’, Watling Street, near Cannock – it advertises ‘tennis, a garage, terrace gardens and a club room’ – it all looks very grand.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, bridgtown, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cafe, Cannock, ebay, great Wylrley, Jubilee, Jubilee Cafe, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Postcard, Social Club, Staffordshire, Wailing Street
7 Comments
Local football reunion at Walsall Wood FC this Friday!
Last week I noted that the wonderful Brian Stringer had a new book out about his times being involved with community football with local teams Clayhanger Colts Under 12s and Walsall Wood FC.
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 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, Libraries, Library, local blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, reunion, Shared memories, Social media, Staffordshire, The Clayhanger Kid, Walsall community, Walsall WOod FC, Who's putting the nets up
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The Lichfield & Hatherton need your vote!
Christine Howles from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has contacted me to tell me she’s after your vote – no, she’s not standing for election, but the Trust is applying for a community grant and could really do with readers voting for them in the next week or so.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, AGM, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, Challenge, charity, Christine Howles, Community grant, Derelict, Hatherton, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Narrowboat, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Staffordshire, Things to do, trust, Twitter, vote
1 Comment
Welcome to the pleasure grounds
I am indebted to friends of the blog and top local historians Clive Roberts and Stuart Williams who both sent me copies of the following image of Coalpool Pleasure Grounds taken I believe around 1910.
Posted in Churches, 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, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2015, Architecture, Arden, brewer, cardigan, Chapel, Clive Roberts, Coalpool, Derelict, garden, Grounds, Harden, Historic England, Ian, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Pedro, Pell, Peter Cutler, Pleaseure, Simon Briercliffe, Staffordshire, Stuart Williams, Things to do, up the oss road, Walsall, Walsall Council
1 Comment
Lichfield discovered – Back to the workhouse – on tonight!
Once again, the irrepressible Kate Cardigan from the Lichfield Lore contacts me to tell me that there’s another great Lichfield Discovered event tonight organised by her informal Lichfield local history group.
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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 12 October, 2015, cardigan, Dave Moore, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, market square, museum, New Photos, Silly, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Twitter, Workhouse
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Walsall Wood Remembrance – We can work it out
The anger and irritation in the community over the curtailed Walsall Wood Remembrance Sunday parade rumbles on – and since I last posted, a few things have been said, and clarified, so it’s important interested parties read this post to understand what’s gone on.
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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, Brownhills, Cancelled, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Police, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, under threat, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Why we fight
In the anger, outrage and recrimination over the plans to curtail the annual Remembrance Sunday parade in Walsall Wood which came to light last week, it’s easy to lose sight of what Remembrance is about.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1st World War, Brownhills local history, Details, fallen, First World War, Great War, Lichfield, list, Local History, loss, memorial, Remembrance, Roll of Honour, Royal British Legion, Spreadsheet, Sunday, Walsall Wood, war, war memorial, WW 1
4 Comments
Walsall Wood Remembrance Parade – what a mess!
It’s been an odd day today – sometimes you get stories on the blog that are initially very complex, but get simpler as they untangle; this one is the absolute opposite, and all I can do is post the information I currently have for you to make you own minds up.
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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, Brownhills, Cancelled, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Parade, Police, Remembrance, Service, Staffordshire, Things to do, time, under threat, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
10 Comments
Back of the net! Brian Stringer’s latest book on sale now!
It’s always nice to see local folk writing about local history, their lives and experiences and their view of the world – and one of the best locally is community activist Brian Stringer, who wrote to me yesterday to tell me he has a new book for sale chronicling his involvement with local community football.
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 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, Libraries, Library, local blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, reunion, Shared memories, Social media, Staffordshire, The Clayhanger Kid, Walsall community, Walsall WOod FC, Who's putting the nets up
2 Comments
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.
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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A true friend of Walsall
It is with great sadness that I share with readers the passing of a true friend, not just of the blog, but of our borough – Roger ‘Ziksby’ Jones, who passed away as Aldridge Court Nursing Home on Friday 25th September 2015, after suffering Motor Neurones Disease for some time.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2015, @ziksby, Brownhills local history, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Malvern, Motor Neurones, passed away, Roger Jones, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
3 Comments
Reading the paper on the train…
I note that Chasewater Railway volunteer, local blogger and top chap John Daft has issued an appeal on the railway museum blog to call for donations or copies of any press cuttings or pictures relating to the project that the public may have in their possession.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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
Tagged 2015, appeal, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, clippings, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, museum, New Photos, newspaper, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, STeam, Steam Railway, Things to do, Trains
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Withdrawal of 56 bus service: Latest news, and please sign the petition!
The controversy over the withdrawal of the Diamond Buses 56 service from Brownhills to Walsall refuses to die down, and there’s now an online petition you can sign in support of the service and Councillor Steve Wade’s efforts to save it.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 56, axe, Birmingham, Birmingham city centre, Brownhills, Brownhills West, bus, bus service, cancellation, Clayhanger, Councillor, cut, Diamond, Diamond bus service, Diamond Buses, Events, Facebook, Gina Young, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Service, Shire Oak, Silly, Steve Wade, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
7 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – September 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 24th September 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, 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, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Pictures from the 2015 Huddlesford Heritage Gathering
Today (20th September 2015) I got chance to go to the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust’s Heritage Gathering at Huddlesford, near Whittington.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 20 September, 2015, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, photos, pictures, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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A cheap trip!
Spotted last Friday on everyone’s favourite tat bazaar, FleaBay – this wonderful handbill from the dying years on local rail.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared memories
Tagged 1959, 2015, Brownhillls, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Crewe Alexandra, ebay, excursion, handbill, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Rail, rail ticket, Saddlers, Special, Staffordshire, Station, ticket, train, Walsall WOod FC, WMC, working
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Heritage Gathering this weekend!
It’s a big weekend for the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust who are staging their Heritage Gathering which takes place this Saturday and Sunday (18-19th September 2015) at their canalside Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 18 August, 19 August, 2015, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
2 Comments
Lichfield discovered – Exploring the Cruck House – on tonight!
Once again, the irrepressible Kate Cardigan from the Lichfield Lore contacts me to tell me that there’s another great Lichfield Discovered event tonight organised by her informal Lichfield local history group.
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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, cardigan, Cruckh, Dave Moore, Discovered, event, Events, Facebook, free, Gomez, Kate Gomez, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Lore, Medieval, New Photos, ouse, Silly, Staffordshire, Stowe Street, Talk, Things to do, Twitter
1 Comment
Diamond Busses confirm 56 service to be withdrawn
Following from the tipoff from Gina Young about the possible withdrawal by Diamond busses of their 56 service between Brownhills West and Birmingham, the company have confirmed the termination with the following statement issued late yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 15th September 2015):
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, 56, axe, Birmingham, Birmingham city centre, Brownhills, Brownhills West, bus, bus service, cancellation, Clayhanger, Councillor, cut, Diamond, Diamond bus service, Diamond Buses, Events, Facebook, Gina Young, Lichfield, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Service, Shire Oak, Silly, Steve Wade, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Crossing purposes
Last Sunday I featured here a taster of a photo archive discovered by some of the local history community containing some remarkable and mysterious pictures of the area – and one of those filed under Burntwood – that of a level crossing, caused me some bafflement.
Posted in Environment, Followups, 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, Burntwood, Ian Pell, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Pinfold crossing, Staffordshire, Uttoxeter
5 Comments
Urgent enquiry: please help find Alan
I have a rather urgent enquiry come in from a lady called shaman Howden, whose Grandfather David Clarkson recently passed away – Shanna would like to contact David’s best freind, who is believed to live in Brownhills and is known as Max, but his real name is Alan.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2015, Alan, appeal, Balfour Beatty, best friend, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, David Clarkso, David Clarkson, death, Easington, Facebook, funeral, Local History, Lost, max, Shanna, Shanna Howden, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Meet Lichfield Discovered over a pint!
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 2015, 8 September, 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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Richard Meanley Anson – a Victim Of World War One – can you help?
Long term readers will no doubt remember the fascinating and remarkable story of Arthur Burton, a local Great War hero, whose story was told by David Evans and Desmond Burton in the early days of this blog.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community
Tagged Aerial Torpedo, Arthur Burton, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Diary, Flying Pig, Garnet Burton, Garnet Close, Julian Ward-Davies, Local History, Military Medal, Morse, New Photos, Somme, Sorry, Stonnall, Walsall Wood, Wartime, Wordsley House, wrong reply. Directed at @wmcycling. Apologies. Doing something else.
4 Comments
One and a half centuries
Here’s a film I’ve been keeping an eye out for for a while, and it was finally uploaded to YouTube last week by David Harper, for which I’m very grateful.
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 150 years, 2015, Burntwood Chase Heritage Group, Chase Wakes, Chasetown, David Harper, Events, Facebook, Film, filmWendy Jones, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Manor Youth Club, New Photos, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Things to do, Videa
4 Comments
Ticket to ride
A lovely enquiry for the Bank Holiday weekend came in a couple of days ago courtesy of reader Lawrence Hodgkinson, who has submitted a beautiful scan of a rather unusual ticket stub from a railway special excursion in 1952.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared memories
Tagged 1952, 2015, August, BootomClub, Brownhillls, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, club, Colony Bay, excursion, House, Laurence Hodgkinson, Laurence Hodkinson, Lichfield, Local History, Mens, Middle, Middleton, New Photos, Rail, Railway, Sanseis, Shire Oak, Special, Staffordshire, Stub, Things to do, ticker, ticket, Top, Walsall Wood, WMC, working, Working mens club
6 Comments
Lichfield Waterworks Trust – August public meeting this evening
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this evening (Thursday 27th August 2015) there is 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, 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, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Thursday
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Heritage Gathering coming soon!
Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust have been in contact to let me know about their Heritage Gathering which is coming up over the weekend of 18-19th September 2015, and takes place at their Huddlesford base, near Lichfield.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 18 August, 19 August, 2015, Brownhills local history, Canal, Canal Restoration, charity, Christine Howles, Cycle rides, Derelict, Facebook, Hatherton, Heritage gathering, Huddlesford, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, planning, project, renovation, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Summerhill, Things to do, trust
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Three sugars, please
The response to the Taylors Cafe material I posted here recently from Andy Wood has been astounding – later followed by another great pic and equally popular memories from Nigel Griffiths.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Andrew, Andy, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, demolished, Derelict, Environment, gone, Interesting photos, Joe Taylor, June Davies, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Lost transport cafes, New Photos, Redevelopment, Shared media, Silly, Taylor's Cafe, Val Wood, Wood
10 Comments
Chips with that, love?
I’ve had an incredible response to the photos I posted yesterday of Taylors Cafe just before demolition, generously sent in by Andy Wood.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Andrew, Andy, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, demolished, Derelict, Environment, gone, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Lost transport cafes, New Photos, Redevelopment, Shared media, Silly, Taylor's Cafe, Wood
31 Comments
Brownhills VJ Day commemoration this Saturday
Hey people, listen up – theres a really important service taking place this Saturday morning (15th August 2015), commemorating the 70 year anniversary of VJ Day – it’s being held by Brownhills British Legion at the Cenotaph at St James in Brownhills at 11am.
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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, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 15 August, 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Cenotaph, Clayhanger, commemoration, David Evans, Local History, Martin Littler, Memories of Walsall, New Photos, RBL, Royal British Legion, Staffordshire, Things to do, VJ, war
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Taylor made memories
A stunning bit of recent local history dropped in my lap unexpectedly today with an email from reader and friend of the blog Andy Wood, who’s sent me a whole bunch of interesting photos.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Shared media, Shared memories
Tagged Andrew, Andy, Brownhills local history, Brownhills stuff, demolished, Derelict, Environment, gone, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Lost transport cafes, New Photos, Redevelopment, Shared media, Silly, Taylor's Cafe, Wood
36 Comments
Plea to find family of deceased former British Rail employee
Walsall Environmental Heath Department have issued an appeal to trace the family of Walsall resident Mr. George Brian Leach, who passed away in Parklands Court Nursing Home, Bloxwich on the 4th August 2015.
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, 4 august, Austin Street, Bloxwich, died, Environmental Health, Family, Forster Street, george brian leach, help, Julie Faulkener, Lichfield, Neil Harris, Parklands Court, passed away, releatives, request, search, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands
1 Comment
In the net – 1920s style
The young David Evans has been very busy of late, turning up a variety of local history nuggets for the perusal of readers – and here, he turns up a real gem from Watling Street School in 1926, courtesy of Mrs. Iris Hollis.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1926, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Doris Hicken, Evelyn Wiltshire, Garnet Boulton, Lichfield, Local History, Maggie Shingler, Marjorie Breeze, May Price, Netball, New Photos, photo, Staffordshire, team, Things to do, Violet Overton, Watling Street
15 Comments
Crowning glory
One subject that has precious little presence in the historical record, yet keeps cropping up again and again is that of the local Working Mens Clubs.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1953, Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, coronation, David Evans, Friezland Lane, Local History, mans, Medal, New Photos, Pat Lynk, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, working
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An elocution confusion solution?
Here’s a thing – it’s rare I think, that I can answer a question asked of the blog so comprehensively, but today an enquiry dropped into the mailbox from reader Glen Wootton, who posed the following question:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local music, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community
Tagged 1950, A picture tour of old Pelsall Rushall and Shelfield, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Male Voice Choir, Brownhills Music Festival, choir, Co-operative, Elocution, Events, Fullelove, George, Glen Wootton, Local History, post-war, Program, Rationing, Staffordshire
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The forgotten Coventry bombing that blew a Walsall Wood bricklayer off his feet
An additional piece followed the original article I featured by John and Paul Anslow last week, on the subject of Walsall Wood and Pelsall wartime air raids – this one is about an IRA attack in Coventry right before the war that appears to have been all but forgotten.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged air raid., Air raids, Anslow, atrocity, bomb, bomb damage, bomb dmamag, bombing, bomobing, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Coventry, crater, Events, Hermann, Highbridge, Highbridge Colliery, IRA, john, Lichfield, Local History, memories, North Common, Norton Junction, Paul, Pelsall, Second World War, Shunting, Staffordshire, terrorist, unexploded, Walsall Wood, war, WW2, yard
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November 1995 – Grandad’s a hero (and here’s when the story ends)
Completing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present the final issue – number 74 – of the long lost freesheet, from November 1995 for you to peruse and download – I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1995, Baker Bond, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, David Evans, freesheet, Gazette, issue 74, Laburnum Cottage, last, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, newspaper, November, October, Pelsall
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Cockfest starts today!
Here’s a really, really great thing happening this weekend at Newtown, Brownhills from today (31st July 2015) – a two day festival with proceeds going to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity featuring music and fun in memory of a much-loved local man who sadly passed away this year.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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 1 august, 2 August, 2015, Brownhills, Carl Findon Kent, charity, Cockfest, Events, Facebook, Festival, July 31, Lichfield, Live, Midland Air Ambulance, music, Newtown, Staffordshire, The Chase, Things to do
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Lichfield Waterworks Trust – July 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 (30th July 2015) there is 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, 30 July, 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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Avoiding the Red Caps with the permission of Captain Palmer
It’s always a joy to feature articles here by the wonderful Anslow brothers; over the years John and Paul have contributed so much to our local history knowledge, from everyday but special weddings, to sneaking into fetes and even recalling lost Pelsallian ice ream vendors.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged air raid., Air raids, Anslow, bomb, bomb damage, bomb dmamag, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, crater, Events, Hermann, Highbridge, Highbridge Colliery, john, Lichfield, Local History, memories, North Common, Norton Junction, Paul, Pelsall, Second World War, Shunting, Staffordshire, unexploded, Walsall Wood, war, WW2, yard
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Burntwood Wakes archive film showing now!
I’ve just noticed via Facebook that there’s a showing of a unique Burntwood Wakes archive film at St. Anne’s Church, Chasetown this afternoon (Saturday, 25th July 2015); showings start every 20 minutes from 1pm until 4pm – it’s free.
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Posted in Chasewater, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web
Tagged 2015, archive, Burntwood, Chase, Chasetown, Chasewater, Events, Facebook, Film, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, St. Anne's, Staffordshire, Things to do, video, wakes
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We’re going down to Cockfest…
Here’s a really, really great thing happening next weekend at Newtown, Brownhills – a two day festival with proceeds going to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity featuring music and fun in memory of a much-loved local man who sadly passed away this year.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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 1 august, 2 August, 2015, Brownhills, Carl Findon Kent, charity, Cockfest, Events, Facebook, Festival, July 31, Lichfield, Live, Midland Air Ambulance, music, Newtown, Staffordshire, The Chase, Things to do
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The Old Hednesford Pit Disaster: a question of Merrit
Incisive and tenacious historian Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has been quietly continuing his investigations into the Old Hednesford Colliery Disaster, the 1911 accident that was brought to our attention when Reg ‘Are Reg’ Fullelove donated a poem he’d come to have in his collection to the blog.
Posted in Bad Science, Cannock Chase, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1911, Bravery, Hednesfold, Henry Merrit, Hero, heroism, inquest, journalism, Lichfield, Lichfield Mercury, local blogs, Local History, Medal, New Photos, Old, Pedro, Peter Cutler, pit disaster, Poem, Report, South Staffordshire Times, Staffordshire, Thomas Stokes
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2015 Chasewater Grand Prix – this weekend!
I’ll be perfectly honest here – I know very little about this, but for those that do, this is apparently quite a weekend for the powerboat community as Saturday and Sunday see the PowerBoatGP 2015 Chasewater Grand Prix at our favourite reservoir and country park.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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 18 July, 19 July, 2015, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Events, Grand Prix, Lichfield, New Photos, Powerboat GP, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do
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October 1995 – Beauty spot reprieved!
Continuing the scans of the Brownhills Gazette – I present issue 73 of the long lost freesheet, from October 1995 for you to peruse and download – I’ve had an incredible response to featuring these long, lost publications here on the blog.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1995, Baker Bond, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, David Evans, freesheet, Gazette, issue 73, Laburnum Cottage, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, newspaper, October, Pelsall
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