#365daysofbiking JournalRecent tracks
Someday BabyR.L. Burnside7 minutes ago
Listener-supportedCommercial-Free9 minutes ago
The Only Way OutDanielle Ponder12 minutes ago
Summer 68Pink Floyd17 minutes ago
Another Beautiful DayCourtney Barnett22 minutes ago
High Your LoveDonovan25 minutes ago
No Surprise (Earth Version)James Yuill29 minutes ago
B‐SideKhruangbin33 minutes ago
Until the End of the WorldU238 minutes ago
IslandsZola Blood41 minutes agoRecent Comments
Dean on Those Craddocks in full… Dean on Those Craddocks in full… Sue on Those Craddocks in full… Dean on Those Craddocks in full… Dean on Those Craddocks in full…
Category Archives: Wildlife
Golden hours
Busy most of the day, I managed to slip out late afternoon for a ride – it was glorious -Chasewater was busy, yet there were deer on the dam. – the countryside was alive, and bursting into leaf and bloom everywhere I looked[caption id="attachment_13982" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Wall church itself is impressive and unusual in style[/caption]
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Churches, cycling, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bluebell, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Church, Churchyard, Cycle rides, cycling, Hammerwich, Lichfield, Local History, New Photos, Panoramio, Red deer, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wall, Wildlife
Leave a comment
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 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
Leave a comment
Ford perfect
Just in case last weekend actually turns out to be summer for 2013, I made one final ride video from last weekend, this one from the bank holiday Monday. This is a video I’ve been meaning to make for a … Continue reading
Posted in Churches, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged bike, Black, Bourne, brook, Cam, Canwell, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Film, Ford, GoPro, Hints, Lichfield, Local History, Rookery, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
5 Comments
Brownhills Common: Scrutiny meeting next Monday
I received a press release from Walsall Council today, 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, next 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
Leave a comment
Fun events at Chasewater this weekend!
I’ve spotted the following on the Chasewater Country Park Facebook page, which should give some ideas to families wanting to enjoy the good weather but not travel too far this bank holiday weekend.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bank holiday, Brownhills, Canal, Chase Sailing Club, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, free sailing sessions, Lichfield, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Wildlife fair
Leave a comment
Letting off steam
I was saddened to receive yesterday from Chasewater Transport Show organiser Helen Borton, a copy of a mail she’s sent to Chasewater Park management, detailing some conflict within the park community over this popular free show – it doesn’t make pleasant reading.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater car show, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, CHasewater Vintage & Classic Car Show, classic bikes, Classic cars, Conflict, Cycle rides, Events, Facebook, Helen Borton, John Smith, Letter, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, Military vehicle show, New Photos, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Steam engines, Vandalism, Vintage Cars, Wildlife
18 Comments
Chasewater wakes
Readers who are Chasewater fans will remember that back in February, I wrote a post that set out to explain the planning application that had been submitted to construct a wakeboarding facility in the south east corner of the lake, from around the old pier to just past the valve house on the dam.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged application, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, controversy, Council, Councty, Course, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, District, LDC, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pier, planning, Redevelopment, Reservoir, SCC, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wake Board, Wakeboard Limited, watersports, Wildlife
8 Comments
A Jasmine childhood
Here’s a great email I’ve received from reader Louise Sedgwick about her memories of Jasmine Cottage, up on Wharf Lane, Brownhills – The warm, lovely memories Louise shares sit nicely alongside those of Michael Sarsfield from Wharf Cottages, featured a few days ago.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Andy Dennis, Anglesey Basin, Anglesey Wharf, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cottage, crane, Derelict, Edna, Jack, Jasmine, Lane, Lichfield, Local History, Louise Sedgwick, Meecham, Michael Sarsfield, New Photos, Old maps, planning, Ray Shill, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wharf, Whitehorse Road, Wyrley & Essington canal through time
5 Comments
Brownhills Common: please join the debate
I haven’t forgotten the issue of Brownhills Common and the heathland restoration works, and nor will I let it slip – but the voice of the experts deserves to be heard properly. land at Brownhills Common.
Continue reading
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 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, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
11 Comments
Buried dreams
In the miasma of stuff that passes by in the local news stream, I spotted this one from the Express & Star the other day, and It’s puzzled me…
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged artwork, Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Cheap tat, Derelict, Express & Star, Local politics, New Photos, Nikki Rolls, Panoramio, planning, Politics, Ravens Court, Redevelopment, Regeneration, Silly, Tesco, Tesco Development, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
20 Comments
Words worth digesting
This is just a quick one about the madness ongoing over Brownhills Common. There will be more later in the week, but if you’re wanting to keep up with this stuff, there’s been a followup report in the Express & Star, and a predictably alarmist view from the Walsall Advertiser, the second photograph from which actually demonstrates the reason the area requires heathland management – evergreen saplings competing with heather.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, 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, 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, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Advertiser, Walsall Council
7 Comments
Shut the wardrobe door!
Oh, my goodness – Narnia has escaped from the wardrobe again, and as ever, I’ve been out having fun The cycling was fine on main roads, but side roads and tracks were bad. The snow – falling gently all the time I was out – was being driven by a northeasterly surely crafted on Satan’s back doorstep.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged black path, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, cold weather, culvert, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, ice, level, New Photos, nine foot, overflow, Panoramio, Parade, Reservoir, Snow, Spillway, Staffordshire, Things to do, Watling Street, Wildlife
3 Comments
The love of the common people
There has been some comment locally about the Brownhills Common thing. I’m not going to push it again too much, as folk must be sick to the back teeth of it, but I have to get a plug in for a couple of excellent blog posts published today.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, 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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Aiden MacHaffie, Barrie Poxon, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Deer, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Morgan Bowers, Natural England, Plantation, Red deer, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
Leave a comment
Oh deer me
As expected, the usual Brownhills Blowhards are now in top gear over the proposal to undertake heathland management on a portion of Brownhills Common, and have been fulminating to the Express & Star, and presumably, anyone else who’ll listen.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Barrie Poxon, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Chasewater SSSI, Conifer, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Deer, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Natural England, Plantation, Red deer, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
31 Comments
Commoners wrongs
I’m aware that recently, there has been some scaremongering and showboating locally about Walsall Council and Natural England’s long term plans for heathland management on Brownhills Common.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, 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, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Natural England, Plantation, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
13 Comments
Light and grace
It’s not been a good few days, personally. Nothing overly wrong, but things have been going a little awry. Technical strife, work fiddling and just general bad luck. The weekend seemed lost.
Let it bee
Reader and friend of the blog Stuart Cowley asked me if I’d plug this talk for him. It is, of course, a pleasure. Anyone who wants anything publicising, please do contact me.
Continue reading
Posted in Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Apiary, Beekeeping, Bees, Chasewater, Community Cnetre, David Batterby, Events, Gardening Club, Hednesford, Panoramio, Pye Green, Stafford Bee Group, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Things to do, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Imperialist blather
It seems Brownhills Community Association, or someone within, its undertaking a little empire building of late. It’s all coming over a bit imperialist to me.
It seems that now, if you want to fish in the canal between Catshill Junction and Chasewater, you are expected to pay Brownhills Community Association £3 per day for the privilege, or £15 for a season ticket.
It seems that now, if you want to fish in the canal between Catshill Junction and Chasewater, you are expected to pay Brownhills Community Association £3 per day for the privilege, or £15 for a season ticket.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Anglesey Basin, angling, Baliff, BCA, Brownhills, Brownhills Comminity Centre, Brownhills common, Brownhills community association, Canal, Catshill Junction, Chasewater, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Fee, fishing, Local politics, New Photos, Ogley Junction, Silly, Things to do, Wildlife
18 Comments
Walsall Peregrine Watch this Saturday!
This weekend, focus is the fantastic Walsall Peregrine Watch, which takes place Saturday, March 9th 2013, at the New Art Gallery in Walsall.
I always push this event, as I believe it’s important to show folk that wildlife isn’t just a rural thing, and that conservation, biodiversity and the wonders of the wild are everywhere, even in a post-industrial town like ours.
Continue reading
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 2013, 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
3 Comments
Brownhills Common – don’t panic!
There seems to be some concern amongst readers of The Brownhills Blog about upcoming heathland management work on Brownhills Common, currently being discussed in some quarters.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, 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, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forestry, Greenspace, Heathland, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Management, Natural England, Plantation, Things to do, tree removal, Twitter, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council
26 Comments
Chasewater: prepare for controversy
An application has recently been submitted to Lichfield District Council to construct a wake boarding corse at Chasewater, based between a refurbished pier and dam. This is generating some controversy.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged application, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, controversy, Council, Councty, Course, Cycle rides, cycling, Derelict, District, LDC, Lichfield, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Pier, planning, Redevelopment, Reservoir, SCC, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wake Board, Wakeboard Limited, watersports, Wildlife
15 Comments
If that’s the way it’s going to be…
I, and many other folk hereabouts were disgusted by the letter sent by elected Walsall Councillor Anthony Harris to campaigner for Greenspace and top local stalwart Linda Mason recently. The officious and arrogant tone, coupled with clear evidence of the member not reading the material he was sent, has rightly disgusted and outraged many.
Posted in 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 Anthony Harris, Black Country Wildlife Trust, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Express & Star, Facebook, Greenspaces, Letter, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Parks, Politics, Savings, Shire Oak, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
Leave a comment
Rather rattled
I see the alternate reality that seems to pervade the Walsall Civic Centre is still in full effect. Today, Linda Mason, lead campaigner against the horrendous cuts in Walsall Council’s Greenspaces team, received this rather tetchy billet-doux from Councillor Anthony Harris – coincidentally member for Aldridge North and Walsall Wood – who’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger 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, Wildlife
Tagged Anthony Harris, Black Country Wildlife Trust, Brownhills, Clayhanger, Consultation, Countryside Services, cuts, Express & Star, Facebook, Greenspaces, Letter, Linda Mason, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Parks, Politics, Savings, Shire Oak, Silly, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
15 Comments
Into White
It’s taken me a couple of weeks to edit this up due to being somewhat busy with other stuff, but it’s not worked out so bad. A ride from near Maquis Drive, on Cannock Chase, up over Rifle Range Corner, past the old Butts, down into Abrahams Valley and out onto the A513 at Seven Springs.
Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Abraham's Valley, bike, Black, Cam, Camel, Cannock Chase, Cannock Chase (images of England), Corner, cycle, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, GoPro, ice, Lunar Sea, March, New Photos, ride, Rifle Range, Silly, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife, Winter
8 Comments
Levelling out
Those who follow my 365daysofbiking journal will be aware that I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the rising water level at Chasewater over the summer and winter months. Since the lake was drained to enable improvement works to improve the dam and overflow resilience, it was considered that, unless we experienced very wet weather, the lake would take a good couple of years to refill.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, 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, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dam works, Drain, ecology, Events, full, LDC, Lichfield, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, New Photos, Pier, refill, Reservoir, SCC, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Things to do, Water Level, weir, Wildlife
1 Comment
Falling steadily
I promise, this is the last one, but it was requested that I take some images within the borough. As usual, more on my 365daysofbiking journal. I escaped on Sunday afternoon, between 4 and 5pm, just as the day was dying. … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Annexe, beauty, Brownhills, Central Boys School, Clayhanger, Common, Coppice Lane, Cycle rides, Cycle trail, cycling, Engine Lane, Events, january 2013, miner, Morris, New Photos, Night photography, Panoramio, photos, pictures, ride, Snow, Staffordshire, Things to do, tin man, Winter
1 Comment
Enchanting forest
Well, I made it. Yesterday, I cycled up onto Cannock Chase. Starting from Brownhills, I headed up to Chasewater – which was stunning – and on through Heath Hayes and Hednesford, up to Rifle Range Corner. The going at Chasewater was very heavy, and a fine, wet sleet was making it quite uncomfortable. Wrestling with turning back, I pushed on, and as the temperature dropped, the sleet turned to powdery snow and the air cleared.
Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged Abraham's Valley, beauty, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, forest, Hednesford, Hills, january 2013, New Photos, Panoramio, photos, pictures, ride, Rifle Range Corner, Snow, Sow Street, Staffordshire, Sven Springs, Things to do, Winter
8 Comments
Chasewater Transport Show – future uncertain
Worrying news reaches me regarding one of my favourite annual events at Chasewater. Helen Borton, organiser of the brilliant, and very well attended annual Chasewater Transport Show has announced that two of the show’s sponsors have pulled out, leaving her in the lurch, and without replacement sponsors, the show just cannot go ahead.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, 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, Wildlife
Tagged 2013, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater car show, Chasewater Transport Show, CHasewater Vintage & Classic Car Show, classic bikes, Classic cars, classic lorries, Grass, Helen Borton, Lichfield, Military vehicle show, New Photos, pulled out, Reservoir, sponsor, sponsorship, Staffordshire, Steam engines, Vintage Cars
1 Comment
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.
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, 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
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.
Continue reading
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
Cervine suggestion
Today, we went up on Cannock Chase again, and I make no apologies for another feature on the deer. These lovely ladies were a smaller subset of the herd from last week, but on this occasion, they were a little more tolerant. They may well have been hungry. This is the closest I’ve ever managed to get to them.
Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, News, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Cannock Chase, carrots, Cycle rides, cycling, Deer, doe, Events, Fallow, fawn, feed, Hind, New Photos, Panoramio, Staffordshire, tame, The Chase, Things to do, Wildlife
4 Comments
24 Carrots
A sunny, winter’s Saturday afternoon on Cannock Chase. The wild fallow deer in their usual spot, always happy to come for a bag of carrots. Skittish and nervous, they stay long enough to take our orange performance fee, then wander … Continue reading
Christmas Fayre at Chasewater Innovation Centre today!
Here’s a chance to get into the Christmas spirit today… 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 – now well on the way to recovery after recently being drained.
Continue reading
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 Beowulf, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Railway, Christmas, Cycle rides, cycling, december 15th, Events, Facebook, Fayre, local blogs, New Photos, Reservoir, Santa, Special, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
Leave a comment
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
Memories of Chasewater
I’ve had a great email from reader Stuart Cowley, about growing up and spending summers helping his family out at the cafe in Chasewater in the 1960s. It’s a really touching, well-written piece. I remember the Chasewater of the 70s, when it was running down, but at it’s height it seems to have been a real leisure attraction.
Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged amusement park, Blumer, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, childhood, Cycle rides, Local History, memories, New Photos, Norton Pool, Panoramio, pleasure park, Reservoir, sculpture, Staffordshire, Stuart Cowley, Wildlife
30 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
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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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
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.
Continue reading
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
Fighting for our greenspace: Please sign the petition!
People concerned about cuts to Walsall Countryside Services, the Ranger Team and related issues – as outlined here previously – can now sign the petition over at Walsall Council’s website. It’s completely electronic, and is administered as part of Walsall’s Democratic Services. If the petition gets enough support, it will be raised at full council.
Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, 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, Blog, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Petition, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
3 Comments
A green wave
The text of the following article was written by Stuart Williams of The Bloxwich Telegraph, and I reproduce it here to emphasise the campaign I mentioned here on Saturday. If you care about Walsall’s green space, please do join us.
The movement is gathering pace and I implore anyone who cares to get involved.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, 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, Blowich Telegraph, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Stuart illiams, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
10 Comments
Unchained
I was pleased to note whilst passing Engine Lane, Brownhills this afternoon that the chain that had been fixed across the cycle way and footpath has been removed. This is good news for cyclists and walkers alike…
Spirit of the Greenwood
This is really important. You’ll recall that a couple of weeks ago I, and other members of the local online community made a passionate plea for the preservation of the Walsall Council Countryside Services team, and the vital work they … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, 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, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
26 Comments
Causing an obstruction
I see National Cycle Route 5, where it passes from Engine Lane/Coppice Lane in Brownhills, is still blocked with a chain, as highlighted by Warren Parry some weeks ago. Today, a fellow cyclist out with a child trailer who’s asked to remain anonymous came to use the track and couldn’t get through. I went to take a look.
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chain, Coppice Lane, Cycle rides, cycling, Engine Lane, Events, local blogs, National Cycle Network, New Photos, public safety, Route 5, Silly, software, Staffordshire, Things to do, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Wildlife
8 Comments
Spend this Sunday morning on the bog…
The Friends of Norton Bog – the area of wetland lying northeast of Chasewater – are taking a special interest in their particular protected habitat, and are holding their next event this Sunday, 28th October, at 10:00am.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Friends of Norton Bog, Graham Evans, Linda Florence, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Rob Davies, Staffordshire, Steve Archer, Wildlife, work party, Working parties
2 Comments
There’s a bustle in your hedgerow
One thing I hope comes through from my work online – both on this blog, and on my 365daysofbiking journal – is my huge passion for being outdoors. Pretty much everything I write is somehow related to turning the computer off, and going outside and exploring the best of whats around.
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 History, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged axe, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Clayhanger, Countryside Services, cuts, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, Facebook, Kevin Clements, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Mike Bird, Morgan Bowers, New Photos, Politics, Shire Oak, Silly, Things to do, threat, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsal Wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
16 Comments
Are you being cervine?
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. It’s rutting time for our large brown friends, and that means one thing: the heaths around Brownhills, Clayhanger, Pelsall and Chasewater in particular are likely to be host to rather grumpy, aggressive stags guarding their female harems.
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
1 Comment
A fleeting chance
This is a post about being lucky. About being in the right place and the right time. About being fortunate to witness nature at it’s best. About loving where you live. About loving being outdoors.
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, beauty, Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Cycle rides, cycling, Events, New Photos, Panoramio, photography, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Sundown, Sunset, Wildlife
7 Comments
RSS - Posts
