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Category Archives: Wildlife
Paint it black
There has been huge interest in the post I published last week on the subject of the rare and rather beautiful black swan spotted at Chasewater last Wednesday by The Swan Lady, Irene Hodges.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, Barrie, Black, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Events, Hodges, Irene, Lichfield, New Photos, photo, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Swan, The Swan Lady, Things to do, video, Wildlife
3 Comments
Hog in the limelight
Reader and great freind of the blog Tony Jakeman has been in touch to ask if I can plug this event – West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue have an open day planned at The White Horse Pub, Cheslyn Hay this Saturday, 6th September 2014 from 12 noon until 4pm.
Posted in Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2014, Cellie, Cheslyn Hay, day, Events, Facebook, fun, fundraiser, Lichfield, New Photos, open, Pubs, September 6, Staffordshire, The White Horse, Things to do, West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue
3 Comments
Clear waters rising
Here’s some good news and welcome common sense for those of us who enjoy Chasewater – after being nothing more than a filthy soup of rotting bird faeces, food and feathers for a few months now, Staffordshire County Council have got contractors in to clean out the boating lake.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bird, boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, change, Chasewater, consideration, cynical, ducks, Facebook, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, poo, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, shit, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, Water, wildfowl, Wildlife
1 Comment
Have you lost some keys?
It seems that reader and long time friend of the blog Caz has a somewhat unique talent for finding and reuniting lost property with it’s owners – not content with finding, catching and reuniting last month’s lost canary with it’s keeper, Caz has found a bunch of keys in Green Lane, Walsall Wood.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 9, Brownhills, Canary, car keys, Carole, Caz, Ford, found, Green Lane, keys, Lichfield, Lost, New Photos, Shelfield, Shire Oak, Things to do, Walsall Wood, ^
2 Comments
A clean sweep at Chasewater – at last
I’m pleased to see that, in all probability, people power has worked over the issue of the filthy state of the walkways around the boating lake at Chasewater, which this week have been cleaned to a decent standard – you’ll remember that last week, I posted about the disgraceful mess there.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bird, boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, consideration, Councillors, cynical, ducks, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, poo, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, shit, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, wildfowl, Wildlife
8 Comments
Chasewater – you can’t polish turds
Of late, Lichfield District Councillors and Staffordshire County Council have been cock-a-hoop about Chasewater – they’ve suddenly discovered our local reservoir, and just how fine it is – but there’s a bit of a problem.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bird, boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, consideration, Councillors, cynical, ducks, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, poo, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, shit, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, wildfowl, Wildlife
10 Comments
Have you lost a bird?
An unusual parish notice reaches me from reader and long time friend of the blog Caz – it seems that the colourful birdlife of Walsall Wood is no longer restricted to yaffles, goldfinches, bullfinches and robins – it now extends to canaries, too.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Bullings Heath, cagebird, Canal, Canary, carol, Caz, Clayhanger, found, Green Lane, Lichfield, Lost, New Photos, Shire Oak, tame, Things to do, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Friends of Brownhills Common – meeting tonight
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm this evening, Monday 16th June 2014 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception.
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 16th June, 2014, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Keep strolling!
You may remember that a while back I plugged a new parent and toddler walking and social group that was starting up a Chasewater – well, the group is going from strength to strength and is very popular with local parents and little ones who like to take the air, and get out socialising with other likeminded folk.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Burnell, Chasewater, dad, Ed, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Maria, Mondays, mum, New Photos, parents, Reservoir, Rose, Staffordshire, Strollers, Things to do, toddlerbuggy, walking, walking group, Wildlife
1 Comment
Don’t forget – Brownhills Common Bioblitz this Friday and Saturday
Are you interested in wildlife, or maybe have a budding David Attenborough or Chris Packham in the family – wnt to bring out your inner Bill Oddie or Simon King – If so, Brownhills Common is the place to be this Friday and Saturday.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 16, 17, 2014, Bio, Bioblitz, Blitz, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Children, Common, conservation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, free, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, kids, local blogs, Local History, Management, May, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Nature, Special, Things to do, tickets, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
1 Comment
Blitz the common!
Are you interested in wildlife, or maybe have a budding David Attenborough or Chris Packham in the family – wnt to bring out your inner Bill Oddie or Simon King – If so, Brownhills Common is the place to be on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May 2014.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 16, 17, 2014, Bio, Bioblitz, Blitz, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Children, Common, conservation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, free, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, kids, local blogs, Local History, Management, May, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Nature, Special, Things to do, tickets, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Stroll on
You may remember that I recently plugged a new parent and toddler walking and social group that was starting up a Chasewater – their first meeting and walk took place last Monday Morning, and a good time was had by all.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Burnell, Chasewater, dad, Ed, Esther Allen, Events, Facebook, Lichfield, Maria, Mondays, mum, New Photos, parents, Reservoir, Rose, Staffordshire, Strollers, Things to do, toddlerbuggy, walking, walking group, Wildlife
4 Comments
A very Good Friday
Yesterday, Good Friday 18th April 2014, was a good day for a ride – with the day off and the sun shining (although not as warm as one would have thought), I headed out to Staffordshire to cath the sun and beauty of spring.
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Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged anemone, bicye, bike, Blossom, Bluebell, Cam, Canal, Canwell, Church, Convent, Cycle rides, cycling, Devils Dressing Room, Edingale, Events, ewe, good weather, GoPro, Harlaston, Haunton, Hays, HD Hero 3+, Hints, Hopwas, Lichfield, Netherseal, New Photos, No Man's Heath, Oilseed Rape, Panoramio, ride, sheep, Speedwell, Spring, Staffordshire, Stonnall, sun, Syercote, Things to do, wildflowers, Wildlife, Wood
5 Comments
Catch a peregrine in Walsall now!
I’m a bit late with this (I’ve only just realised it’s on) but today (Saturday 5th April 2014) is Peregrine Watch at the New Art Galley Walsall – it’s running now until 3pm, so if you can, do pop up.
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Posted in Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged biodiversity, bird of prey, Birdwatching, Facebook, Kevin CLemments, local blogs, Morgan Bowers, Peregrine Watch, Peregrinewatch, Pergrines, Perigrine Falcon, raptor, urban birdlife, Urban raptors, Urban wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Town Centre, Wildlife
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Swept everything before it
Last weekend, I revisited for the first time in ages the subject that was once so prominent here – Chasewater dam – but not in reference to the recent renovations, but to the creation of the reservoir and the failure of the earthwork dam in 1799.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged 1799, Blackbrook, bridge, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burst, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Dam, Drayton, Events, Hopwas, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Pedro, Peter Cutler, Reservoir, Shenstone, Staffordshire, Stafforshire Advertiser, Stone
7 Comments
When the dam burst
Chasewater has been, as any long-term reader here knows, a continual and recurring obsession of mine – I love the place; I grew up with it, visiting regularly I came to love its air of faded, end-of-the-pier decay and beautiful, often unexpected wildlife.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Shared memories, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, cycling, Events, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, Panoramio, Redevelopment, Reservoir, Staffordshire
10 Comments
We have things in common – we should talk
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm on Monday evening, 17th March 2014 of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills – WS8 7EN – please meet in the reception.
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 14th March, 2014, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
4 Comments
Duck soup
Hi folks – this is a plea for a bit of common sense, and it would be really nice if folk could perhaps think about it a little bit – It’s a nice weekend, and with that, we all like to go for walks and visit our local parks and greenspaces.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged boating lake, bread, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, consideration, ducks, feed, feeding, geese, hazard, Lichfield, mess, New Photos, pollution, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, seed, Silly, Staffordshire, swans, Things to do, wildfowl, Wildlife
7 Comments
A friendly reminder
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – theres a meeting at 7:00pm tonight (Thursday 13th February 2014) of the Freinds of Brownhills Common group at the Environmental Depot, 200 Pelsall Road, Brownhills.
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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 2013, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, November 14, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
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Old Holland
Over the past couple of posts, the subject of Holland Park in Brownhills has come up, and reader Peter asked where it got it’s name – I knew it was named after Hyla John Holland, one of the great names in the history of Brownhills, but I realised I didn’t know much about the chap, or exactly what he did beyond being a councillor.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 1933, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Holland, Hylan John, Lichfield, Local History, Local politics, Mercury, New Photos, Obituary, Park, Parks, planning, recreation, Staffordshire, The Parade, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
23 Comments
Work starts on Holland Park improvements
I had this press release yesterday from Walsall Council, and I think it’s important to share it here – it’s nice to see Holland Park getting some love at long last – the paths and some aspects of the fabric have needed attention for a while now.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, cycling, Darren Hodgkiss, Holland Park, infrastructure, Local politics, maintenance, Pavements, planning, refurbish, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife, work
11 Comments
Controlled explosions in Burntwood today
Blimey, it’s all happening today – it seems some unexploded wartime grenades were found near Chasewater Industrial Estate, Burntwood (Known as the LCP) in the last 24 hours, which were subsequently destroyed in a controlled explosion.
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Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, anti tank, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Burntwood, Chase Terrace, Chasewater, Chasewtown, controlled explosion, Events, Facebook, Grenades, Industrial Estate, LCP, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Police, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Twitter, UXB, Wildlife
6 Comments
Anyone for tennis?
Further to the great material sent in by Marion Jones, relating to the lost pumping station on The Spot at Clayhanger, she also sent me some interesting photos of the gardens of the Jones House in Clayhanger in the 1920s.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged big house, Branch line, bridge, Clayhanger Common, Culverts, Derelict, Drain, Drainage, flooding, Ford Brook, Local History, Marion Jones, Marsh, New Photos, new pond, Pump, pump house, Railway, River Tame, Round Table, Samuel Wheale, Spot Lane, Staffordshire, stepping stones, stormwater, Subsidence, tennis court, The Spot, The Spot pumping station, Walsall Wood Colliery
5 Comments
Something cheesy for Christmas
I’ll keep this brief, as I know there are folk in Short Heath suffering in quiet, restrained dignity as they haven’t had their Liberal Democrat Focus news sheets this week due to the inclement weather – please spare a thought for those less fortunate souls this Christmas.
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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
6 Comments
Challenging landscapes
Today, I’ve mostly been trawling the paper mapping record for Clayhanger, in order to throw a little more light on the issues it faced in the post war years – debate about subsidence and flooding and the subsequent land restoration that occurred has been ongoing, and this is a really interesting bit of local history for me.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Clayhanger, Clayhanger Common, Culverts, Derelict, Drain, Drainage, flooding, Ford Brook, Local History, Marsh, New Photos, Ordnance Survey, pit, Pump, pump house, Railway, Shire Oak, spoil, Spot Lane, Staffordshire, stormwater, Subsidence, The Spot, The Spot pumping station, Walsall Wood Colliery
6 Comments
Fighting a losing battle
Every now and then, something comes through whilst compiling the blog that stuns me, and pulls me up short. It’s happened twice recently – firstly with Chris Pattison’s wonderful 1952 Walsall Observer article on Clayhanger’s flooding problem, and secondly with this rare and beautiful gem from reader Marion Jones.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Bennets Hill, Clayhanger Common, Culverts, Derelict, Drain, Drainage, flooding, Ford Brook, Kenneth Granger Wheale, Local History, Marion Jones, Marsh, New Photos, Pump, pump house, River Tame, Robert Green, Samuel Wheale, Spot Lane, Staffordshire, stormwater, Subsidence, The Spot, The Spot pumping station
12 Comments
It was magic…
I didn’t really know what to expect from the Brownhills Christmas Magic 2013 event, it looked really good on paper but I was curious as to how it would pan out on the day – I was really, really pleasantly surprised.
[caption id="attachment_16900" align="alignright" width="224"]
‘Can you give us a hand?’ they said. J’Just a few hours on Saturday’ they said…[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, Local music, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 14th december 2014, Armitage Birds of Prey, Brownhills, Brownhills Christmas Evens, Brownhills Christmas Windows, Christmas Fair, Christmas Magic in Brownhills, Christmas tree festival, Cradle Club, Craft Club, Donkeys, Festivity, Ice Rink, Nicky Rolls, photos, pictures, Ravens Court, Santa Special, Shop Local, Shop smart, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood
8 Comments
Christmas Fayre at Chasewater Innovation Centre today!
Here’s a chance to get into the Christmas spirit this Sunday, 1st December 2013 – there’s a Christmas Fayre being held at Chasewater Innovation Centre – at the same time, you can check out the Santa Specials at Chasewater Steam Railway, and take a wander around the lake which is now full and teeming with wildlife once more.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Railway, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, December 1st 2013, Events, Facebook, Fayre, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, Santa, Special, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
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With a little help from our friends
Here’s one for people interested in the issues surrounding Brownhills Common – if you can make time, do pop along to the meeting this Thursday, 14th November 2013 Brownhills Common will benefit hugely from an active friends group…
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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 2013, Brownhills common, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, Cycle rides, Events, forestry, Freinds, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Management, Natural England, November 14, Plantation, scrutiny, Special, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
7 Comments
Cannock Chase Messines Model on Countryfile
The first world war model of Messines, it’s history and recent archeological dig have been the talk of Staffordshire for a while, and tonight formed the basis for a great article on the BBC program Countryfile.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Archeology, BBC, Brocton Field, Cannock Chase, Chase Trails, clip, country file, Cycle rides, cycling, David Evans, Dig, disappointing, Film, Lichfield, Local History, Messines, Model archeology, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, World War 1, WW1 Great war
6 Comments
Shire Oak Park: Come meet the Rangers this Saturday
Helen Sanger, the Walsall Council Countryside Ranger responsible for Shire Oak Park Nature Reserve, has asked me to point out to readers and fans of the reserve that this coming Saturday, 9th November 2013 there will be a chance to meet with Tim Cleary, Countryside Operations Ranger.
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 2013, Brownhills, Countryside Services, Events, Facebook, Helen Sanger, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local Nature Reserve, Local politics, Management, Nature Reserve, New Photos, November 9, Park, Scrub clearance, Shire Oak, Things to do, Tim Cleary, Twitter, Users group, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Heaths
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Doing the Locomotion
Back last weekend, local wildlife expert, ecologist and local historian Chaz Mason got in touch, asking for help with a picture of an old steam locomotive that he’s got hold of – he wasn’t sure about the origins of the engine, but thought it was something unusual.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, 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, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 0-6-0T, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewaterstuff, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Hartley Main Colliery, John Daft, local blogs, Local History, Locomotive, New Photos, Steam Train, Things to do, USA Class, Wildlife
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Identifying a rarity?
Writer of the best local wildlife blog there is, Chaz Mason, has been in touch asking for help with a rarity he’s got a photo of in the wild – he’s not sure if it’s a migrant species or just a very unusual native, but would like help from fellow enthusiasts to help him get a definite tick in his book.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, 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, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Clayhanger, local blogs, Local History, New Photos, Things to do, Wildlife
3 Comments
Stag do?
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area that the deer population are getting amorous. Continue reading
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, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, Neil Tipton, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
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Is this your ferret?
Hi folks – I spotted on Facebook that a clearly mislaid, meandering mustelid has been found in the Whitehorse Road area of Brownhills.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chase Ferret Rescue, Chasewater, Chasewon, Dale Preece Kelly, Events, Facebook, Ferret, found, Lichfield, Lost, New Photos, Newtown, Norton, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, White's 1854 Pipehill, Wildlife
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Inner Hays
Here’s another ride cam for all those who ask for them – including Trev in Oz, Rob Flodders and BillyTheBez – this one is edited, realtime bits of a mostly off road journey from Jerry’s Lane, near Weeford, up the bridleway that is Knox’s Grave Lane to Packington, then into the wonderful Hopwas Hayes Wood.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 1984, Advisory Circle, bike, Bridleway, Cam, Cycle rides, cycling, Downhill, Events, fable, firing range, GoPro, green, grenade, Hantology, Hays Wood, Hill, Hopwas, John Brooks, Knoxs Grave Lane, Mountain Bike, Packington, Rainbow, ride, Staffordshire, Tamworth Time Hikes, Things to do, Witches
3 Comments
Chasing the rainbow
I’m still, after several decades, exploring Cannock Chase – since getting wonderfully lost around the quarries near Bevin’s Birches last week, I’ve developed a thirst for spots I’ve not been before.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged bike, Cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, fable, forest, GoPro, green, Hill, Marquis Drive, Moors Gorse, Mountain Bike, Neil Cowley Trio, Rainbow, ride, Staffordshire, Stonepit, Things to do
3 Comments
Back down the old Kit Bag
I had fun over Cannock Chase yesterday, exploring the area around Wolseley Plain and the old quarries near Bevin’s Birches – while there, I also cycled down Kitbag Hill, the sharp semi-road incline that forms part of Marquis Drive between the old RAF Hednesford and visitor’s centre and the old level crossing at Moor’s Gorse.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged bike, Birches Valley, Cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forest, GoPro, Happy Dog, Just Brothers, Kitbag Hill, Marquis Drive, Moors Gorse, Mountain Bike, New Bridge, ride, Rodrigo Y Gabriella, Santa Domingo, Sliced Tomatoes, Staffordshire, Things to do
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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
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Coming down from above
Yesterday, on a borrowed mountain bike I headed out to Brocton Fied on Cannock Chase, and starting near the Glacial Boulder and trig point, I threw myself and the bike down into Sherbrook Valley, then followed the stream down to Stepping Stones.
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged bike, Brocton Field, Cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forest, GoPro, Mountain Bike, ride, Sherbrook Valley, Staffordshire, Things to do, Tourist video, Visit Birmingham, Wildlife
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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
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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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To be in England, in the summertime
Another day, another great ride – I headed out early afternoon, firstly to Chasewater then on to Lichfield and the festival market, then from the busy city, I headed to the quiet of the east Staffordshire countryside – Whittington, Croxall, Walton, Rosliston, Lullington, Harlaston and back via Wall.
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Pipe Hill poppies[/caption] Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Local music, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Croxall, Cycle rides, cycling, Harlaston, Lichfield, Lichfield Festival Market, Lullington, New Photos, Panoramio, Pipe Hill, poppies, Reservoir, River Trent, Rosliston, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wakeboard, Wakelake, Walton, Walton on Trent, WHittington, Wildlife
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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
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Tearing up the forest
Here’s a video I’m posting specifically for Rob Floders, who I know enjoys my cycle videos – Rob’s having a really tough time at the moment, and although I know a daft video can’t make anything better, I hope it makes him smile just a little.
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Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Abraham's Valley, bike, Cam, Cannock Chase, Corner, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, forest, GoPro, Mountain Bike, New Blood, Peter Gabriel, ride, Rifle Range, Robert Floders, So, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Your Eyes
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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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Mum’s the word
This is just a quick note to warn people given to exploring the open spaces of the area – particularly dog walkers – that the red deer population are giving birth right now. The heaths around Brownhills, Clayhanger, Pelsall and … Continue reading
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, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged agressived, birth, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh, Cycle rides, cycling, defence, dog walking code, fawns, local blogs, mothers, New Photos, ogs, Red deer, Reservoir, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife, young
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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
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Out on patrol
Here’s an interesting piece from the Young David Evans about the common that used to exist on Holly Bank, in Walsall Wood. Holly Bank is the land from what is now the Castlefort Estate to the Lichfield Road.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged 1950's, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, children's games, Common, David Evans, Holly Bank, Local History, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Redevelopment, scrub, Shire Oak, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
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A deep breadth
Following the wonderful panorama of Walsall taken last weekend by Steve Wilcox that I featured here, here’s another, this time taken by friend of the blog Rose Maria Burnell, who took this one with an iPhone, and it’s a great image.
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Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Chasewater, cows, Cycle rides, cycling, fly bay, fly creek, fly pool, Lichfield, local blogs, Lowland Heath, maintenace, new path, New Photos, north heath, Panorama, Panoramio, Reservoir, Rose Maria Burnell, Staffordshire, Things to do, Twitter, Wildlife
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