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Category Archives: Walsall Council
Choose wisely
Today, there is a council by-election in the ward of Aldridge Central & South, brought about by the sad passing of longstanding councillor Tom Ansell – this election will be interesting in a number of ways – although usually a safe Tory seat, it will be intriguing to see how the other parties fair – particularly UKIP and the Labour.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local 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 Aldridge Central and South, Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Redevelopment, Silly, sold, Tom Ansell, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Youth Club
14 Comments
Local Scouts learn about nature at Shire Oak Park
I should have featured this yesterday, but didn’t get time – in what seems to be a new initiative, Walsall Wood Scouts, a thoroughly fine bunch of lads, have been undertaking small scale, supervised scrub clearance at Shire Oak Park Nature Reserve.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Countryside Services, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local Nature Reserve, Local politics, Management, Nature Reserve, New Photos, Park, Scouts, Scrub clearance, Shire Oak, Things to do, Twitter, Users group, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Heaths, Walsall politics
3 Comments
Brownhills Big Saturday!
Hey – if you’re looking out for stuff to do today (Saturday, 10th August 2013), look no further than Brownhills Activity Centre (The old Central Boy’s School, or Annex to my generation) and Holland Park, opposite.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
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It’s going to be a knockout weekend
Hey – if you’re looking out for stuff to do this weekend, look no further than Brownhills Activity Centre (The old Central Boy’s School, or Annex to my generation) and Holland Park this Saturday.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, activities centre, Annex, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills community association, Clayhanger, Community Fun Day, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
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Pelsall Summer Fun Day Today!
I know many local folk were disappointed when the Holland Park Fun Day scheduled for last Wednesday was cancelled due to the inclement weather – well, there’s some good news in that Pelsall is holding the same event today.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 6th August 2013, Brownhills, Common, Common people, community games, Events, fun, fun day, kids fun day, Pelsall, principality, stuff to do kids events, summer holiday activities, Walsall, Walsall Council
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It’s a knockout!
I’ve just become aware of this event scheduled to take place in Holland Park, Brownhills, on Saturday, 10th August 2013 – the flyer says entries have closed – but with 10 days to go, I’m sure they’ll probably fit your team in if you’re quick. Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 10th August 2013, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, fun day, Holland Park, Its a knockout, Lichfield, Ranjiy Kaur, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, Walsall Area Partnerships, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group
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Out of Focus
The old Focus DIY store on Northgate, just between Aldridge and Walsall Wood continues to be a magnet for flytipping, vandalism and other antisocial behaviour – the site has been vacant since the closure of the DIY chain a couple of years ago, and has subsequently just been left to rot.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Clive Roberts, Derelict, DIY, Do it all, dumping, flytipping, Focus, Great Mills, illegal, Local History, New Photos, Northgate, oil, Pòl MacDhòmhnaill, Redevelopment, Refuse, tipping, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Summer fun for kids in Holland Park today!
Kids already driving you mad – tomorrow, Wednesday 31st July 2013, there will be an opportunity to get them off that games console and out into the fresh air with a summer fun event at the popular Brownhills park.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 31st July, Brownhills, community games, Events, fun, fun day, Holland Park, kids fun day, Park, stuff to do kids events, summer holiday activities, Walsall, Walsall Council
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The Royal Oak – a new chapter unfolding?
Thanks to reader Caz who pointed out last week that an application has been made to build a close of houses on the land currently occupied by the former Royal Oak pub in Bullings Heath, opposite the Black Cock pub in Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, 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 Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 13/0772/FL, alehouse, application, beer house, Black Cock, Black Cock Bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Bullings Heath, Camden Street, Canal, close, David Evans, Derelict, developer, Events, Green Lane, House, Local History, new build, New Photos, old inn, Old maps, planning, Planning application, Pubs, Royal Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Brownhills Library – Creepy House reading challenge tomorrow!
This just in today from Naomi Jones at Brownhills Library.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Animal Antics, Animal man, Brownhills, Children, Creepy House, entertainment, Events, Facebook, kid, kids, Parkview Centre, Summer Reading Challenge, Things to do, Walsall Council
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Eine kleine Nachtmarket
Well, it was a balmy summer evening, and the atmosphere was carnival-like and relaxed. There were loads more stalls than last time, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2013, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, July, Market, New Photos, Night, Night Market, pictures, Walsall, Walsall Council
7 Comments
Walsall Night Market tonight!
This is a quick post to highlight the fact that Walsall’s award-winning Night Market is to return this week, on Thursday evening in the town centre 5pm to 9pm.
href=”https://brownhillsbob.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/wpid-photo-23-jul-2013-0102-pm.jpg”>
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged entertainment, Events, food, Lichfield, Night Market, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Town Centre
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Out on the common…
Walsall Council’s Countryside Services Manager Kevin Clements has been in touch – he wants me to let readers know that there’s now a booklet available for download, which details the work proposed for Brownhills Common, and he’s also written an interesting piece for the blog about the planned tasks ahead, and why they’re so important.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, june 14th, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Natural England, Plantation, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
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Walsall Night Market this Thursday!
This is a quick post to highlight the fact that Walsall’s award-winning Night Market is to return this week, on Thursday evening in the town centre 5pm to 9pm.
href=”https://brownhillsbob.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/wpid-photo-23-jul-2013-0102-pm.jpg”>< Continue reading
More music…
This Sunday 21st July 2013, the Chuckery Festival finishes in spectacular style – from 12pm to 6pm, there will be another afternoon of great live music at the Bandstand in Walsall Arboretum, and what’s more, it’s free.
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Plenty of folk on bikes today, which was good to see[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2013, Adam and Dan, arboretum, Bandstand, Big Gig, Chuckery Festival, Colin walker, Events, Fat Lip, free, fun, Gabbidon, gig, Grey Goose Blues Band, Lichfield, live music, Nick Coyne, Summer, The Lock In, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Jazz Orchestra
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Faith in the future
I’ve been meaning to cover a couple of local planning applications submitted by Walsall Housing Group for new developments in Brownhills for a while.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged affordable, Brownhills, Church Street, Derelict, flats, houses, Local politics, Panoramio, planning, Planning application, Redevelopment, Short Street, social housing, Things to do, Walsall Housing Group, Wessex Close
4 Comments
Jammin’ – pictures from Our Big Gig
Well, I nearly missed it due to other commitments, and like the Bands on the Beacon, I arrived late, but Our Big Gig in Walsall Arboretum this afternoon was brilliant – I can honestly say it was a cracking event the restored Arboretum basked in the sunshine, and Walsall, in all it’s diversity, came out to enjoy an afternoon of music and fun.
[caption id="attachment_14857" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dalbir sings Jessie J whilst giving Table pro tips to a young apprentice[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arboretum, Aziz, Bandstand, Barry Hunt, Bruno Edwards, Cycle rides, cycling, Dalbir, Events, fun day, Jam, Kate Goodall, kids, local blogs, Local politics, Marathon, music, New Photos, pictures, planning, Redevelopment, Samantha Jayne, Walsall
7 Comments
Come to our big gig!
Following the massive success of Bands on the Beacon a couple of weeks ago, the summer of great open-air music in Walsall continues today, Sunday July 14th 2013 with The Big Gig in Walsall Arboretum
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged arboretum, Aziz Ibrahim, Bandstand, Bandstand Marathon, Barry Hunt, Big Gig, Brownhills, Brownhills Music Festival, Events, free, gig, Kate Goodall, Leafwing, Lichfield, live music, Open Mic, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Midlands Police Brass Band
2 Comments
Chuckery Festival on too!
Thanks again to council whiz Kate Goodall for bringing this fine festival happening next week to my attention – along with Caldmore, Chuckery is one of my favourite bits of Walsall and has, to put it mildly, a banging community spirit, with a very diverse community.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2013, Chuckery Festival, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fun, Paddock, Summer, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Brownhills Library picnic – starting soon!
This from Walsall Library service on Facebook – I’m sure if you turn up on spec they’ll fit you in.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Children, entertainment, Events, Facebook, kid, kids, Parking, Picnic, Steve the Juggler, Things to do, Walsall Council
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The Summer of Fun continues…
Thanks again to council whiz Kate Goodall for bringing this fine festival happening next week to my attention – along with Caldmore, Chuckery is one of my favourite bits of Walsall and has, to put it mildly, a banging community spirit, with a very diverse community.
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Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 2013, Chuckery Festival, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fun, Kate Goodall, Paddock, Summer, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council
3 Comments
Singing Was Their Forte
The wonderful Ian Pell has sent me a great contribution relating to Brownhills Choral Society – This is unusual for Ian, as his regular field is transport history, Ian, you’ll recall, has written lots of great articles about the railways of our area.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, 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, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills Choral Society, Brownhills local history, choir, Choral, co-op, Co-operative, David Evans, George Fullelove, Langford, Local History, Master, New Photos, Plaque, Road, Silver Street Methodist Church, Singer, Staffordshire, Starbuck, Things to do, Walsall Wood
11 Comments
In a cursory Manor
Just a quick note to flag up a wonderful post that passed by in a flurry of other stuff late last week. The Councillors may be trying to forget it, Council Officers may be trying to forget they promised another … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Independent, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
2 Comments
Bands on the Beacon today!
It’s turning into a real summer of live music – Sunday 30th June is Bands on the Beacon, and event that’s been sadly under my radar until this year, and with the project is now in it’s fourth year it has a whole bunch of avid devotees from all over the Midlands, who come to Walsall’s highest spot for free music and fun.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Aldridge, Aziz, Bands on the Beacon, Barr Beacon Country Park, Chaos Parade, concert, Conviviality, Cower, Cower Hounds, Darkness Is Blinding, Events, Facebook, free, Hounds!, Into the Shadows, Khalique, Klasside, Knoxville Highway, Lichfield, local blogs, Motorcity String Band, music, Soul Weaver, Stems, Things to do, Tim Philpot, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife
2 Comments
Street party today for Armed Forces Day!
I hear today there’s a street party planned in Chapel Street, Brownhills, for Help the Heroes and Armed Forces Day.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged A5, Armed Forces Day, Brownhills, Chapel Street, Events, Helr for Heroes, Lichfield, Newtown, Prince of Wales, Pubs, Street Party
2 Comments
Bloxwich Party in the Park – On today!
Julie Handley contacted me about this live event going down in Bloxwich this weekend, taking place all day Saturday, and there’s some cracking bands on, as well as loads of other attractions for folk of all ages.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Bloxwich, Bloxwich Telegraph, Enticement, Events, Facebook, fair, Fayre, G Bag, Grey Goose Band, Julie Handley, Live bands, local blogs, music, Owamya, Owd yer Hosse’s, Party in the Park, Scarbelly Blues Band, Stash Band, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, West Coast Blues
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Walsall Mosque incident: Authorities appeal for information
FAITH LEADERS, police and council officials have come together to reassure local people following the discovery of a suspicious item at a mosque in Walsall yesterday.
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Reality check. Can we all grow up a bit please?
I see today, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership is pushing their Summer Festival in the town by sharing links on Facebook to an oddly-formatted document scan of their promo leaflet, which seems pretty much Facebook only.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 22 June, 23 June, Brownhills, Brownhills anal Festival, Brownhills Local Committee, Brownhills Town Centre Partnership, Brownhills Town Festival, Canal, Clayhanger, Events, Facebook, local blogs, Local politics, Silly, The YamYam, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
It’s festival weekend in Brownhills!
This weekend, we not only have the Brownhills Canal Festival on Sunday (June 23rd 2013), but Brownhills Town Centre Partnership and Walsall Council are running Browhills Town Festival the day before (Saturday, 22nd June 2013).
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 22, 23, Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Brownhills Town Festival, Canal, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, June, june 23rd, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Richard Lee, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
That went well. Not.
The saga of Aldridge Manor, Youth Services in Aldridge and the wider Walsall Borough rumbles on, there was a public meeting last Thursday, and it didn’t go at all well for Walsall Council who had hastily called it only a short time before as a damage limitation exercise…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Independent, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pete Smith, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
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In a Manor to which they are unaccustomed
There has been some interesting fallout following the furore kicked up over the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and dismantling of wider youth service throughout Walsall, and their replacement by some frankly bizarre, not yet thought through system.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, Independent, John Morris, Laboru, Lane's Farm, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pete Smith, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
40 Comments
Walk on the Wild Side at Brownhills Common this Friday!
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – this Friday there’s a chance to meet and listen to very experienced, knowledgable naturalists and conservationists talk about just what a special, rare habitat Brownhills Common is, and why it requires careful and measured stewardship.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, june 14th, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
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Walsall Labour Group issue statement on Youth Services
I was heartened to note that earlier today, Walsall Labour Group had issued an unusually strong statement on the future of Walsall Council’s Youth Services and Aldridge Manor youth club, discussed here so much lately.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Official, Politics, Pop-up, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Silly, sold, Statement, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
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Not distracted at all
There has been a lot of coverage of the imminent closure of Aldridge Manor Youth Club and the wider youth service throughout Walsall, and its replacement by some not yet thought through system involving derelict properties and converted vans.
Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, by election, Cheap tat, Closure, Conservative, Councillors, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, Independent, John Morris, Laboru, Lane's Farm, Liberal Democrat, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pete Smith, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Walsall Works, Youth Club
21 Comments
Not fit to live with pigs
Reader, friend of the blog and top local historian Clive Roberts has written to me with some horrid photos of flytipping at the old Focus DIY store on Northgate, just between Aldridge and Walsall Wood – the site has been vacant since the closure of the outlet a couple of years ago, and has subsequently been a target for vandalism, antisocial behaviour and flytipping.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Clive Roberts, Derelict, DIY, Do it all, dumping, flytipping, Focus, Great Mills, illegal, Local History, New Photos, Northgate, oil, Redevelopment, Refuse, tipping, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Aldridge Manor Youth Club: Public meeting arranged
I note that Walsall Council have organised a very short notice public meeting about the closure and sale of Aldridge Manor Youth Club.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 13th June, Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Public Meeting, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
3 Comments
Acid burns
Today, a shocking and frightening story comes to me from a good friend in Chuckery, Walsall – ten 25 litre Hydrochloric acid drums, dumped on Chuckery Village Green, a space on which kids play on days like today.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Acid, Barrel, burns, Charlotte Street, Children, Chuckery, Container, Drum, dump, Environmental Health, Events, flytipping, Hydrochloric, New Photos, Savi, Streetpride, Things to do, toxic, Vandalism, village Green, Walhouse Road, Walsall, Walsall Council, Waste
3 Comments
Winding Lanes
Andy Dennis writes clearly and articulately of the planning history of the Lanes Farm/Sandhills site in light of current angst over a mooted further development – I’m still of the opinion that we’re being trolled for other reasons, but Andy raises some excellent points.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Cycle rides, cycling, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall 2026, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
20 Comments
A sad loss to Walsall
I was sad to note yesterday the news that Conservative Councillor, former Walsall Council Leader and Mayor, Tom Ansell had passed away.
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Posted in Events, Express & Star, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Centro, Leader, Local History, Local politics, Mayor, passed away, Politics, Tom Ansell, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Driven to distraction
While the local Councillors have held a public meeting and been quite vocal about the phantom prospect of development in the local greenbelt, they haven’t been talking at all about the fact that Walsall Council is selling off Aldridge Manor Youth Club building and intends to replace the facility with a vague, unfeasible and daft ‘Pop-up’ travelling youth service.
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Posted in Bad Science, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge Manor, area manager, Cheap tat, Closure, cuts, Facebook, Green Belt, John Morris, Lane's Farm, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, planning, Politics, Rachel Andrew, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, sold, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Youth Club
11 Comments
You can never go back
The whole Brownhills-Tesco thing has left me interested in the breadth and spread of local opinion, in a way I don’t normally see it. I’m interested in theories people have, their perceptions, and what they see the future to be. … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Market, Canal, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Derelict, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, New Tesco, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Retail, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
28 Comments
We all stand together – at Caldmore Village Festival
In light of recent events, I think it’s really important that we get behind stuff that bonds us good folk and our communities together, and one such event is the Caldmore Village Festival which has been running for a good few years now and just gets better and better – and nothing tells those that would divide and harm us ‘Up yours!’ more assertively that getting together and having a good time.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, Local music, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged a taste of Caldmore, Caldmore, celebration, diamond jubilee festival, Events, Facebook, food, local blogs, music, party, planning, things to see and do, Village Festival, Walsall, Walsall Council
5 Comments
Sharp image
After a week of extolling readers to understand the value of local press and quality journalism, yesterday the Express & Star’s Walsall edition proved the value of good local journalism, as exhibited by dedicated, conscientious reporters.
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Posted in Bad Science, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged AB Sustain, Cheap tat, Errors, Express & Star, Facebook, Gareth Illmann-Walker, Harper Adams, image, journalism, Labour, local blogs, Local politics, mistakes, New Photos, Politics, search, Silly, Tim Oliver, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
A note of thanks
I’m not noted for agreeing with the council here on the Brownhills Blog, and have never held back in criticising them. – however, I like to think that when I feel they’ve got it right, it’s appropriate and correct to point it out.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Brian Stringer, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills stuff, Canal, Canal and River Trust, canal festival 2013, canal side, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Kid, Clayhanger stuff, cleaning, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Kate Goodall, Local media, maintenance, New Photos, Pedestrian, Pier Street, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social media, Walsall community, Walsall Council
5 Comments
Farming controversy
I notice that over the past few weeks some outrage seems to be abroad over supposed plans to build a housing estate or industrial park, near Shire Oak on Lanes Farm, between the farmhouse at Sandhills and the Chester Road; broadly the site of the old Brawn’s Wood.
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 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, Wildlife
Tagged Anthony Harris, application, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Catshill, Conservative, Consultation, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, estate, Events, Facebook, Home Farm, housing, In Touch, industrial, Lane's Farm, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Flower, New Photos, Panoramio, Pete Sears, planning, Planning 2026, Politics, Redevelopment, SAD, Shire Oak, Silly, St Modwen, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Tory, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
19 Comments
Brownhills Canal Festival 2013 – details now available
Details of this year’s Brownhills Canal Festival have kindly been supplied by The Clayhanger Kid himself, Brian Stringer – I’m trying to get as much info as I can, but as usual, it seems to be Brownhills’ best kept secret.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged Barge, Boats, Brian Stringer, Brownhills, Brownhills Canoe Centre, Canal, Canoe, Clayhanger, Committee, Contach, Contact, Events, Festival, Fete, information, june 23rd, Local, local blogs, Marina, Narrowboat, outdoors, pageant, planning, Richard Lee, Summer, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Brownhills Common: Scrutiny meeting tonight!
I received a press release from Walsall Council, stating that following the brouhaha over Brownhills Common and the subsequent petition, there is to be a special scrutiny meeting at the Council House on this very matter, tonight Monday, 13th May 2013, at 6pm.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 13th, 2013, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, Leaflet, local blogs, Local History, Management, May, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
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Oak Park Family Fit’n’Fun Day this Saturday
Now that spring is here, the nights have opened out a little and the good weather is upon us, why not take the family up to Oak Park this Saturday afternoon- you’ll find plenty of fitness and sport activities to get involved in, free of charge.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 11 may, activities, Brownhills, Family, fit, Fit'n'fun, Fitness, fun, Oak Park, Reach up tower, Saturday, Shire Oak, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood football club
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Is there a new arrival for Wessex close?
I don’t have a great deal of information about this, I’m sorry to say, but I thought it might be worthwhile to draw readers attention to the following event, happening next Thursday, 16th May, at the Parkview Centre in Brownhills (That’s the library).
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council
Tagged 22, apartments, Brownhills, Consultation, Derelict, Events, Local politics, plan, planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Things to do, Twitter, Walsall Council, Walsall Housing Group, Wessex Close, WHG
4 Comments
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