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Category Archives: Walsall Wood stuff
Over the water
Here’s a great post from top reader a contributor David Evans, who’s something of an expert on the history of Methodism in the area. Over the course of last Christmas, the question of the religion and it’s chapels in Norton came to the fore.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Bethel, Brownhills, Chapel, circuit, Conduit Colliery, Conduit Pit, David Evans, Local History, Methodism, Methodism in Norton Canes, Methodist, Minister, ministry, New Photos, Norton Canes, planning, Prims, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tin Tabernacle, Trinity, Walsall Wood, Wesleyan, Wilfred J Hill
15 Comments
Local history event next Saturday!
Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I’m sure you’re all well aware, compiled several local history books with his wife Clarice, as well as with other local historians John Sale and Geoff Harrington.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2 February, Bill Mayo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clarice Mayo, David Evans, Events, lecture, Library, Local History, memories, Memories of Brownhills Past, Memories of Old Brownhills, Memories of old Walsall Wood, New Photos, Old maps, Parkview Centre, slideshow, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Gorgeous curves
Here’s a bit of a request stop. A few weeks ago there was a very positive response to my digitally contouring of an Ordnance Survey map in the analysis of the Watford Gap area near Sutton Coldfield.
I have a bit of clever software that can do this, and access to the mapping data to use as a canvas.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Barr Beacon, Brownhills, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Contour, Lichfield, Mapping, maps, Ordnance Survey, Relief, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, Topografic, Walsall, Walsall Wood
5 Comments
Monkey Business?
I’ve decided to try something a bit different – it might work, it might not. I get asked lots of short, brief questions, which I usually hold back until I can shape a full post around them, but I’m going to try throwing them out there in quick, short posts like this.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged archive, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Events, George Charles, Lesley Bursnell, Local History, Monkey, Robert Hogkiss, Run, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
15 Comments
Musical youth
Here’s an odd one I’ve been meaning to sneak in for some time here on the blog. Readers and top contributors David Evans and Pedro Cutler regularly muse over the newspaper archives, and have found this gem from The Lichfield Mercury in 1903.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Local music, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Central School, choir, Choral, Clayhanger, concert, David Evans, Fredericks, Harrison, Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Glee Union, Lichfield Mercury, Local History, Nevill, Perkins, Redfern, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
1 Comment
Local history event next Saturday!
Thanks to blog readers Naomi Jones and David Evans, I can flag up this interesting looking slideshow and talk from respected and knowledgable local historian Bill Mayo. Bill, as I’m sure you’re all well aware, compiled several local history books with his wife Clarice, as well as with other local historians John Sale and Geoff Harrington.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2 February, Bill Mayo, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clarice Mayo, David Evans, Events, lecture, Library, Local History, memories, Memories of Brownhills Past, Memories of Old Brownhills, Memories of old Walsall Wood, New Photos, Old maps, Parkview Centre, slideshow, Staffordshire, Talk, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Back to school?
Most schools in the borough appear to be back today, Tuesday, 22nd January 2013, but some are still closed. For a list, or to check yours, take a look at these resources.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, 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 bad weather, Brownhills, Closure, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, list, planning, School, schools, Serco, Shire Oak, Snow, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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School’s out… or is it?
I’m trying to find out the status of local schools tomorrow, Monday 21st January 2013.
Theoretically, there’s a list of all schools closed in Walsall on Walsall Council’s website here, although Serco, the body charged with running education in Walsall, hasn’t bothered to update it since Friday at the current time of publication (9:20pm, Sunday 20th January)…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, It makes me mad!, 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 bad weather, Brownhills, Closure, Events, Express & Star, Facebook, list, planning, School, schools, Serco, Shire Oak, Snow, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
12 Comments
Meet Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in their new home this Sunday!
This Sunday, 20th January 2013, the museum will be holding a ‘Meet the Museum’ event, where the general public can pop in, take a shufty around and hopefully help shape this valuable collection’s future.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 20 January, 2013, Aston Manor, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, bus, Bus Museum, Chasewater, event, Events, Facebook, Local History, Meet the Museum, open day, planning, Shenstone Drive, Transport Museum, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
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Meanwhile, in court a century ago…
Reader Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has again been ferreting in the newspaper archives, and this time has taken a look at crimes coming before Brownhills Petty Sessions – a magistrates court for the town, that sat regularly and dealt with low-level crime.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Petty Sessions, crime, Events, Local History, New Photos, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Silly, Staffordshire, Vandalism, William ROberts
2 Comments
Police appeal: Anyone know of David Palmer?
This is an unusual one that’s come down the wires today from West Mercia Police. It seems they’re trying to trace a man thought to live in the Brownhills area between 1973 and 1977. Can you help? Police are particularly keen to engage with the Methodist community, as David is thought to have been active within it.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged appeal, Bromsgrove, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Childrens home, David Palmer, Events, Local History, Methodist, Staffordshire, Stourbridge Road, The Grove, Walsall Wood, West Mercia Police
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The Clubmen
Here’s a good one found by reader and local historian Clive Roberts, on the subject of Friezlane Lane Working Men’s Club, which I made an appeal for information about last week.
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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, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1957, Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, F Breeden, Friezland Lane, J Hession, J Webster, Local History, mans, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, secretary, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, vice president, Walsall Observer, Walsall Wood, working
6 Comments
New Co-op on Streets Corner: Any news?
I keep getting messages and emails about this. The new store that’s been built on the old car lot in Walsall Wood seems to have been ready to open for weeks, but nothing seems to be happening:
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Avion, Brownhills, Cheap tat, co-op, coop, hold up, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, Panoramio, planning, progress, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Silly, stalled, stopped, Street's Corner, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, Wetherspoons
13 Comments
Friezland Lane Working Men’s Club: help needed!
Reader Ant Hill got in touch a week ago (sorry about the delay…) and asked the following question:
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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 Ant Hill, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, Friezland Lane, Local History, mans, New Photos, Pubs, Redevelopment, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, working
67 Comments
2013 New Year competition winners!
The 2013 New Year Quiz has now closed, and we have a winner. The final scores are as follows: Fred Butler has 7 points. Andy Dennis has 6 points. Oakparkrunner has 4 points. BrownhillsDavidNotBob has 3 points. Grande Pablo has … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cycling, Events, Local History, New Photos, New Year quiz, Pubs, Reservoir, score, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood, winner
10 Comments
Competition closes 12 noon today, 5th January 2012
Last chance, folks. The 2013 new year competition closes at 12 Noon today, 5th January 2012. Answers received after that time will not be counted. Running scores: Andy Dennis has 6 points. Fred Butler has 4 points. Oakparkrunner has 4 … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cycling, Events, Local History, New Photos, New Year quiz, Pubs, Reservoir, score, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Cycling trivialities
Thanks to everyone who took time to express opinions on my navel gazing contemplation on completion of my 365daysofbiking goal. I really was touched by the unexpectedly large amount of goodwill expressed about the project by a hugely diverse range of commentors. The compliments, encouragement and kindness are not something I’ll readily forget.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Silly, Spring, Staffordshire, Stonnall, Things to do, tumblr, Twitter, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
2013 New Year quiz: only five questions left
The 2013 New Year Quiz closes at Noon, this Saturday, 5th January 2013. I’m amazed at how popular it’s been and thank everyone for their sporting good humour, interesting answers and thoughtful, considered sleuthing.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cycling, Events, Local History, New Photos, New Year quiz, Pubs, Reservoir, score, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Happy New Year!
Happy new year to all readers of the Brownhills Blog. Cheers for sticking with it, contributing and doing everything you do.
The 2013 New Year quiz is still open and still has questions going for the asking. There’s been a great response so far, and there’s local beer up for grabs! Take a look at last night’s scoresheet and see what you can get. Don’t forget, there’s still the ‘1000th House’ plaque to find, too.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Butcher, cart, Common Side, drunk, Events, Frank Lloyd, Horse, Lichfield, Local History, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Wood
6 Comments
Aggravated burglary in Brownhills: can you help?
I’ve become aware over the course of the last few days that there has been a nasty burglary incident in Brownhills, and the rumour mill has consequently gone into overdrive. To attempt to help get the the message out there, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aggravated, appeal, Armed, Brownhills, Burglary, Christmas Eve, crime, Facebook, Kevin Pitt, Nicky Biddlestone, Poplar Avenue, Robbery, Supt Keith Fraser, Twitter, Wlasall Police
1 Comment
When the fighting stopped
Earlier in the year, reader and friend of the blog David Evans suggested I run an article about the truce at Messines over Christmas in 1914. This outbreak of humanity in the midst of one of the bloodiest wars the world had ever witnessed, captured the popular imagination for years. The idea of opposing sides downing weapons and joining in a game of football in no man’s land is enchanting and solid, and has featured in many forms of pop culture – from rock music videos to films and books.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1914, Chris Baker, Christmas, David Evans, Events, football, Great War, Messines, military history, New Photos, Politics, The Long Long Trail, Things to do, trenches, Truce, Word War One, WW1
7 Comments
Before we man the lifeboats…
Before the water level rises to such an extent that the residents of Brownhills and Walsall Wood are all encamped on Shire Oak Hill waiting for the waters to recede, I’d like to wish all readers, contributors and friends of this odd little blog a very merry Christmas and a very happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.
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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 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
22 Comments
Let it pour
Here’s an interesting (and slightly daft) query for a pre-Christmas weekend. David Evans, reader, contributor and top Walsall Wood bloke, was very kindly given this commemorative jug by local history wonder Gerald Reece, when Gerald undertook his recent excellent talk in Brownhills.
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Posted in Churches, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Church, David Evans, Events, Gerald Reece, gift, Jug, Local History, memento, New Photos, pottery, St Johns, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Bending Conduit
Every so often (and so it seems, with increasing frequency of late) I’ll get a response to an article I post here that leaves me speechless with the sheer depth and breadth of knowledge it demonstrates. There are, it seems, some very, very knowledgable specialists reading the shambling pile of old toss, and I really have no idea why they’re sticking around, but I’m very grateful for their contributions and presence.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger 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 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, Derelict, Events, Ian Pell, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Keeping track
Here’s an unusual one that came in yesterday afternoon. When I saw the picture kindly supplied by Ian, I immediately thought of the image of a similar charter in Bill Mayo and John Sale’s great book ‘Memories of Old Walsall Wood’, which I include at the foot of the post.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1959, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, charter, Chasewater, Conduit Colliery, Derelict, Events, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, rail tour, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Stephenson Locomotive Society, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Christmas events, anyone?
I just wondered if anyone out there had local christmas stuff they wanted publiscising here on the blog. In previous years in Brownhills, the Town Centre Team have had unified ‘Magic of Christmas’ branded events, but since Antonia has moved on to pastures new, it all seems a bit haphazard this year.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Brownhills, Christmas, Clayhanger, David Evans, Events, Kevin Simon, local blogs, Methodist Church, New Photos, planning, Shire Oak, Silver Street, Things to do, Tree festival, Walsall Wood, whats on, Xmas
1 Comment
Get some Iron
Here’s a quick one. Reader and local history researcher Clive Roberts dropped me this email a week or so ago in relation to questions about Irondish/Iron Dish, between Walsall Wood and Shelfield. Readers will remember that this courtyard of houses – that possibly contained an alehouse – stood about where the car sales lot is today, just on the Shelfield side of Jockey Meadows.
Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1763, Clive Roberts, Countess Dowage, Iron dish, Irondish, local blogs, Local History, Mountrath, New Photos, Old maps, Pubs, Shelfield, Staffordshire, Things to do, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Strangers to the truth
Things seem to be going a bit awry at Walsall Council of late.
I notice from a report in yesterday’s Walsall Express & Star that park rangers in Walsall will be cut in April 2013 from 23 to 10 posts. This is despite a theoretically ongoing ‘budget consultation’, and totally contrary to statements made to Linda Mason and Roger Jones, of Save Walsall’s Green Spaces and Countryside Services, by Walsall Council officers Jamie Morris and Mark Holden.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, 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, Wildlife
Tagged axe, contamination, Countryside Services, cuts, Events, Facebook, fiasco, Greenspace, Jamie Morris, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mark Holden, Politics, pride, protest, Recycling, Refuse, Roger Jones, Save, Shire Oak, Silly, static protest, street, Streetpride, Things to do, threat, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
5 Comments
Bowled over?
Here’s a quick one for Friday. Reader and top Walsall Wood whizz David Evans has finally managed to get hold of a full copy of the Aerofilms image of Walsall Wood from 1926. This is an interesting one, as it’s not yet listed on the archive of Aerofilms work.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aerial photograph, Aerofilms, bowling, bowls, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, club, David Evans, David Oakley, green, Julie Le-Moine, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Pubs, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
21 Comments
Local history talk in Brownhills tonight!
Top contributor, commentor and all round good egg David Evans has been busy over the last few weeks organising a treat for local history buffs in Brownhills and the wider community. David has kindly contacted noted local historian and author … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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 Brownhills, Brownhills a walk into history, Brownhills bypass, Brownhills local history, Canal, charity, Chasewater, Clayhanger, David Evans, Engine Lane, Events, Gerald Reece, historian, history, History Talk, Local History, Macmillan Cancer Support, mining, planning, Staffordshire, Things to do
4 Comments
Tree cheers… and thanks.
I know I’ve posted this on my 365daysofbiking journal, but it bears repeating here where there’s a wider audience.
Since Walsall Council no longer centrally organises Christmas Trees for the borough’s satellite towns, most go without, but a few centres do their own thing. Walsall Wood is well provided for, however, due to the generosity of the local Councillors Anthony Harris and Mike Flower
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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 Anthony Harris, Brownhills, Christmas, Christmas Tree, donation, Events, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Flower, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, St Johns, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood
4 Comments
New Walsall Wood boxing club set to be a knock out!
Here’s a welcome new facility for the youth of Brownhills and Walsall Wood, kindly provided by Walsall Police, who have plenty of experience of this sort of thing. It’s nice to see someone doing something for the local kids, and I wish everyone well in the venture.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Accord Housing, Alan Poole, Amateur Boxing Club, boxing, Brownhills, Build Blocks, Caldmore, Clayhanger, club, co-op, Ian Benton, Maybrook Road, Shaun Hargreaves, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Wood, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Police Charitable Trust, WMP
3 Comments
Join the Freemasons – for a pint
Following the fascinating, tangential debate about the Freemasons Arms in Walsall, sparked by reader Ann Cross and her wonderful articles about the Royal Exchange, in Walsall Wood, Ann has scanned the following photo from a book, which can hopefully help the debate along a little.
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Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged A Click in Time, Ann Cross, Burton, Freemasons Arms, Local History, New Photos, Old photos, Park Street, Pubs, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, Tailor, The Royal Exhange, Things to do, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Local History Centre, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Lindon Road, Brownhills, shut again Sunday
Following the warning from last week about road closures to facilitate resurfacing at the Anchor Bridge Junction and from the excellent Walsall Transport on Facebook, I can give you the following info.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged a452, Bradbury Close, Brownhills, Chester Road, Church Street, Diversions, Friezland Lane, High Street, Lindon Road, New Road, planning, resurfacing, Road Closure, road closures, Shire Oak, Strange Notices, Temporary traffic diversion, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Transport
5 Comments
Helping hands
In all the debate about the greenspace in Walsall, and the approach of our civic leaders towards this valuable asset, one comment made by a reader here stuck in many minds. I personally found it jarring, and somewhat misguided.
The post was Spirit of the Greenwood, and the comment went as follows:
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, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Greenspace, Hachidori, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Morgan Bowers, Mr keep your dog on its lead, Politics, protest, Purple is the new black, Roger Jones, Save, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
7 Comments
Murder in the park: Walsall Council’s cuts to greenspace revealed
Following the protest on Monday, 19th November outside the Council House in Walsall, lead members of the Save Walsall’s Greenspace and Country Services Group, Linda Mason and Roger Jones attended a meeting with Walsall Council officers Jamie Morris and Mark Holden.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, 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, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Greenspace, Jamie Morris, Kevin Clements, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mark Holden, Mike Bird, Politics, protest, Roger Jones, Save, Shire Oak, Silly, static protest, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
7 Comments
Fair exchange
Following her comments here, reader and local history enthusiast Ann Cross recently accepted my invitation to write about her family history at the Royal Exchange pub in Walsall Wood. When I suggested that she might like to write up her work, I could tell that Ann had a great story to tell, and would tell it very well indeed. I wasn’t disappointed, and the first instalment was incredibly popular with readers of the blog.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1901, 1911, Ann Cross, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Census, David Evans, Elizabeth Weston, Family history, Freemasons Arms, history, licensee, Local History, May Emily Williams, pub, Pubs, Royal Exchange, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Thomas Weston, victualler, Walsall, Walsall Wood, William Cross
27 Comments
Fighting for our future
Nice to see a good turnout last night for the Save Walsall’s Green Spaces and Countryside Services Group protest vigil at the Council House, where a meeting of the Council was taking place. Following publicity throughout the Walsall online community, and much hard work on the part of concerned protestors, it’s becoming clear that the message is getting through to our elected representatives.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, 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, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Greenspace, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, protest, Roger Jones, Save, Shire Oak, Silly, static protest, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Without whom, we are nothing
There’s a great post up now on the blog of the campaign to Save Walsalls Green Spaces and Countryside Services. This is the subject I’ve been banging on about so much recently.
Written by Roger ‘Ziksby’ Jones, and featuring his artwork, the post is a wonderful expression of the aims and urgency of the group.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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, Wildlife
Tagged @ziksby, axe, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Greenspace, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Politics, Roger Jones, Save, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
2 Comments
Conundra arising
Right, you lot. I’ve had some interesting enquiries in recent weeks and rather than spin them all out, I thought I’d post three together and see what folk know about them. I know you mostly like a challenge, and flushed with the success that was the puzzle of The Grange from last week, everyone should be on a roll…
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, 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 Anne Bradbury, Bonita Clayton, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills UDC, Bryan Blumer, Caleb Smith, Chase Inn, Chasewater, concrete, Emma Smith, Facebook, Iron dish, Irondish, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, play equipment, Pubs, Reservoir, Sculptor, sculpture, Shelfield, Staffordshire, Things to do, Urban District Council, Walsall Wood, Watling Street
11 Comments
Learning to drive on Big K car park…
Rights of passage. The local ones we all know; for those of a certain age, learning to drive on the Big K car park was an unforgettable experience – as was visiting this local DIY palace of glittering delights with … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Aldridge, Big K, Car Park, Dry Bread Pit, Kings Hayes Farm, local blogs, Local History, Lynn, Staffordshire, Staffordshirebred, Stonnall, Susan MArie Ward, Things to do, Vigo, Walsall Wood
3 Comments
Lindon Road, Brownhills, closed today
I’ve had a couple of queries – in person and by mail – as to what’s happening with the roads around Brownhills over the next week or so. From a mixture of the Walsall Roadworks Update (a press release sent to folks like me) and the excellent Walsall Transport on Facebook, I can give you the following info.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged a452, Bradbury Close, Brownhills, Chester Road, Church Street, Diversions, Friezland Lane, High Street, Lindon Road, New Road, planning, resurfacing, Road Closure, road closures, Shire Oak, Strange Notices, Temporary traffic diversion, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Transport
8 Comments
Rock and coal
Here’s one that is certain to create debate, comment and further articles. Alerted to it in the last week by both Gareth Thomas (Geographical whizz from Lichfield District Council) and Paul Daniel (data whizz behind the mechanism that keeps local news site The YamYam running so brilliantly), it’s a book scanned and published by that wonderful resource Google Books.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged BGS, Book, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Clayhanger, coal, Common, download, Engine Lane, Geological Survey of Great Britain, J Beete Jukes, local blogs, Local History, mines, mining, Museum of Practical Geology, Old maps, Shire Oak, South Staffordshire Coal Field, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Victorian, Walsall Wood
2 Comments
Top local historian to give talk in Brownhills!
Top contributor, commentor and all round good egg David Evans has been busy over the last few weeks organising a treat for local history buffs in Brownhills and the wider community.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, 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 Brownhills, Brownhills a walk into history, Brownhills bypass, Brownhills local history, Canal, charity, Chasewater, Clayhanger, David Evans, Engine Lane, Events, Gerald Reece, historian, history, History Talk, Local History, Macmillan Cancer Support, mining, planning, Staffordshire, Things to do
11 Comments
Shire Oak Nature Reserve: upcoming works explained
I noticed last week that heathland improvement works were planned by Walsall’s Counctry Services team – that’s the rangers I’ve posted so much about lately – at Shire Oak Park Local Nature Reserve in Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills 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, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Blog, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Colin Manning, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local Nature Reserve, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Park, Petition, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
10 Comments
A corner of a foreign field
In the approach to Remembrance Sunday, I asked reader and contributor David Evans if he would like to write a piece on his experience of the war cemeteries he visits in northern Europe. David kindly obliged.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged Battle, Belgium, Brownhills local history, David Evans, Events, France, Gate, Great War, Local History, Menin, New Photos, Paschendale, Remembrance, Walsall Wood, war, Wijtschate, WW 1, Ypres
4 Comments
In our name
Every year on this blog, I’ve marked remembrance Sunday with a post, and this one is no different. I think this day, associated events and actions are crucially important. It is only by remembering the cost, that we can consider how to make a better future.
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 Bill Caddick, Brownhills local history, Jack Judge, June Tabor, Local History, Remembrance, Royal British Legion, Sunday, Tipperary
1 Comment
Home on The Grange
Thanks to reader contributions, we’ve found the Grange in Aldridge – it was, until relatively recently, in Leighswood, as described by commentors to my original post. Hat tip too, to David Evans, who mailed me with a map which jogged my memory.
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Posted in Environment, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1887, 1903, 1920, 1956, 1961, 1971, Aldridge, Birmingham History Forum, David Evans, Lazy Hill, Leighswood, Local History, Mary Woodroffe, New Photos, Northgate, Old maps, Ordnance Survey, Pennard, Redevelopment, Staffordshire, The Grange, Things to do, Walsall Wood, Walsall Wood Road, Walton Road
13 Comments
The Fallen of Walsall Wood: a project
Since it’s Remembrance weekend, I thought I’d share with you a project that top reader and contributor David Evans has been working on. David has gone through the roll of honour for the First World War on the Walsall Wood memorial, and listed the entries, and what he can find out about them, in spreadsheet format.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, 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, Walsall Wood stuff
Tagged 1st World War, Brownhills local history, Details, fallen, First World War, Great War, list, Local History, loss, memorial, Remembrance, Roll of Honour, Royal British Legion, Spreadsheet, Sunday, Walsall Wood, war, war memorial, WW 1
16 Comments
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