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Category Archives: Wildlife
It’s time to get on the bog again
After a successful event in January, the Friends of Norton Bog are holding another of their scheduled work parties this Sunday. The Friends of Norton Bog – the area of wetland lying northeast of Chasewater – are taking a special … Continue reading
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, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Rob Davies, Staffordshire, Wildlife, work party, Working parties
1 Comment
Driven like the snow
Today, we finally had some real winter weather. After the unseasonal warmth of Christmas, these last few cold, frosty, clear days have been a breath of fresh air for me. Yesterday, I watched the weather forecast hoping for snow. As … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bleak House, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Cannock Chase, Cannock Road, Chasewater, Cuckoo Bank, Cycle rides, cycling, Hednesford Hills, herd, Hind, New Photos, Night photography, Panoramio, Parrs Warren, Pubs, Red deer, Rifle Range Corner, Snow, Staffordshire, Stag, Winter, Wolseley Arms, Wolseley Bridge
1 Comment
Wild, wild life
Had this press release in today from the grey Lubyanka that is the civic centre in Walsall. Have to say, this is something I support fully. Morgan Bowers and Kevin Clements and all the team of employees and volunteers working … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged biodiversity, bird of prey, Birdwatching, Facebook, Kestrel, Kevin CLemments, local blogs, Morgan Bowers, Peregrinewatch, Pergrines, Perigrine Falcon, raptor, urban birdlife, Urban raptors, Urban wildlife, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Town Centre, Wildlife
4 Comments
Anyone know anything about these Cannock Chase offroaders?
Abraham’s Valley, Cannock Chase. 3:50pm, Saturday, 7th January 2012. I’m sure there must be a perfectly innocent explanation for this. Two vehicles, driving off-road, up Abraham’s Valley on the Chase toward Rifle Range Corner. I have never, ever seen private vehicles … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Events, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Wildlife
Tagged 4WD, Abraham's Valley, bike cam, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, forest, illegal, off road, offloading, Rangers, Rifle Range Corner, Staffordshire, Vandalism, vehicles, Wildlife
4 Comments
Hawking rubbish
I really shouldn’t respond to this kind of thing, but the stupidity and utter ignorance of this one is really, really annoying me. I’m not a birder, I’m not even a member of the RSPB. However, all regular readers will … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Shared media, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged agriculture, biodiversity, cats, corvid, Cycle rides, cycling, decline, Express & Star, Farming, habitat, hawk, J Mallen, magpie, population, predator, raptor, Silly, songbirds, sparrow hawk, Wildlife
9 Comments
Now it’s your turn to spend time on the bog…
Regular readers will know that I’ve not quite been at my glistening best recently, and I’ve spent, as a consequence, a long time studying the domestic plumbing arrangements. Now’s the opportunity for readers to get more familiar with their local … Continue reading
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, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Rob Davies, Staffordshire, Wildlife, work party, Working parties
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Oops, I nearly forgot…
I’ve been meaning to say for a few days now that for anyone visiting Chasewater at the moment, the eastern dam route has reopened to pedestrians and cyclists. This means that for the first time in 12 months, park users … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged boxing day, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dam, Express & Star, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local politics, planning, Reopening, Reservoir, sailing club, Staffordshire, Wildlife
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Going soft in his old age…
Just a quick note to flag up fellow Walsall blogger and agent provocateur The Plastic Hippo and a great post he published yesterday evening. The usually reassuringly grumpy commentator has clearly started to go a bit doolally in his dotage. What … Continue reading
Posted in Fun stuff to see and do, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged dog, dog walking, local blogs, Local politics, Mike Bird, Plastic Hippo, Politics, Silly, The Plastic Hippo, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics
1 Comment
I’m not a pheasant plucker…
I received this one from David Evans a month ago, and thought I’d save it for Christmas Day. I’m sure many readers recall rearing their own chickens, or maybe working on the farms locally from time to time. As ever, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Features, Followups, Local History, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chicken, Christmas, David Evans, Farming, Local History, New Photos, Pig, Racheal, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood
14 Comments
Slipping the reins
I have recently become rather concerned over what appears to be a new pre-Christmas trend. The exhibiting of real reindeer at fetes, events and in town centres locally seems to be increasingly fashionable. In an age when animal circuses are … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Caged deer, Chasewater, Cheap tat, Christmas, Deer, Facebook, Fallow, Lichfield, local blogs, Muntjac, New Photos, Red, Reindeer, Santa deer, Silly, Social media, Twitter, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Walsall Town Centre management team, Wildlife
24 Comments
Down in the bog
Sorry for the patchy nature of the updates lately, I’m a bit busy with work and stuff at the moment, so please bear with me. Normal service will be resumed in a week or so. In the mean time, I … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Friends of Norton Bog, Graham Evans, local blogs, Norton Bog, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
10 Comments
Illegal offroading tackled on Brownhills Common
Thanks to the wonderful Kate Goodall at Walsall Council, I’m finally able to heap my praise on the people who’s been gradually improving the anti-vehicle barriers on the old railway line at Engine Lane, Brownhills. That area of the common … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 4WD, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, four wheel drive, green laning, Illegal offroading, Illegal scrambling, mini moto, Off roading, offroading, Police, quad bikes, Scambling, Social media, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, West Midlands Police, Wildlife
10 Comments
Little ups and downs
On Wednesday, I published a ride video on my 365daysofbiking Tumblr journal of a ride from Brocton Field on Cannock Chase to the car park at Milford Common, mainly along the Sherbrook Valley. It’s the same ride upon which I … Continue reading
Stag do
Had a lovely email this morning from regular reader and commenter Caz, who’s a great appreciator of the local deer population. She’s supplied some lovely photos of a young stag she spotted on the driveway to the waterworks in Green … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Caz, Clayhanger, Grange Farm, Green Lane, New Photos, Red deer, Stag, Walsall Wood, Waterworks, Wildlife
3 Comments
Don’t forget – Daffodil planting in Brownhills today!
Brownhills Town Centre Partnership Local school children and community groups will be planting 8000 daffodil bulbs along the grass verge of Cheter Road North in ten days time. We need your help to finish the planting off on Saturday 5 … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Daffodil panting, fun stuff, Things to do, Town Centre Partnership
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Oh, deer!
I spotted a great article on a blog I’ve been following for a while. It’s a local blog by a lady known only as Jody, and it contains lovely, engaging reports of her walks and rambles, mainly around the Clayhanger … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Grange Farm, Jody, Jodysnaturewalks, local blogs, New Photos, Red deer, Walsall Wood, Wildlife, Wildlife blog
3 Comments
Daffodil planting in Brownhills
Brownhills Town Centre PartnershipLocal school children and community groups will be planting 8000 daffodil bulbs along the grass verge of Cheter Road North in ten days time. We need your help to finish the planting off on Saturday 5 November … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Environment, Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Daffodil panting, fun stuff, Things to do, Town Centre Partnership
2 Comments
Chasewater in 1919: the mapping jigsaw
Continuing to fulfil Graham Evans’ request (and for that matter, to keep all the map geeks happy – I know you’re out there – over 600 downloads of the 1884 map alone last week) here’s a map of how Chasewater was around about … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged 1919, Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
2 Comments
Scrub fire in Brownhills earlier this evening?
Rachel Gosling, top reader and friend of the Brownhills Blog tonight posted these dramatic pictures on Facebook, which she’s kindly allowed me to share here. It seems that there’s been quite a severe fire in the scrub on Clayhanger Common, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, Environment, Events, 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 Brownhills, Brownhills Market, Canal, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Common, Facebook, Fire, Grass fire, local blogs, New Photos, pedestrian bridge, Pier Street, Rachel Gosling, scrub fire, Vandalism, Walsall Council, Wildlife
3 Comments
On the waterline
Further to Graham Evans’ request, here’s a map of how Chasewater was around the late Victorian era. There’s much that’s of note here – the shape of the lake, the pits and surrounding railways. Note also that Jeffrey’s Swag doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, Old maps, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
2 Comments
Stuck in a rut
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 … 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, G Richardson, local blogs, New Photos, Red deer, Reservoir, rut, rutting, Shire Oak, Silly, Staffordshire, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
1 Comment
Down the chute
There is continuing interest and debate on the nature of the pump house and spillway at Chasewater. I’ve had some excellent contributions, and I must get up there soon to investigate some of them. My previous poke around was very … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Old maps, Reservoir, Spillway, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
2 Comments
Overflowing with ideas
The recent attention paid by Dave Fellows, Graham Evans and Andy Dnnis, amonst others, to the long lost steam powered pumping station at Chasewater has caused some curiosity and no small amount of debate, particularly between myself and top local … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, 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, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Old maps, Reservoir, Spillway, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
13 Comments
Chasewater: Plugging away
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of days, you’ve probably noticed a host of stories about the ‘plug being put back in at Chasewater’ and a lot of self-congratulatory claptrap from the dam team, largely … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Express & Star, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged BBC, Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, culvert, Cycle rides, cycling, Express & Star, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
2 Comments
Feeling pumped
Sorry about the patchy nature of updates at the moment – life is really interfering with my blogging activities at the moment. This is just a quick note to say to people interested in the intriguing question of the Victorian … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, 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, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, Wildlife
4 Comments
Slip sliding away
In light of reader Caz’s recent interest in Brownhills clay, and the continuing fascination with the old clay pit in Pelsall Road, Brownhills, I thought I’d draw readers attention to an article that yesterday appeared on This is Staffordshire, website … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, Cycle rides, New Photos, Staffordshire
2 Comments
Chasewater pump house – Graham Evans is the man
Following Brownhills Past supremo David Fellows’ request for information about the long-gone pumphouse near the Nine Foot pool at Chasewater, the reader response was muted, to say the least. After a grand total of zero replies, Graham Evans, wildlife expert, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Brownhills local history, Brownhills Past, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater history, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, Dave Fellows, Graham Evans, local blogs, Local History, nine foot, Reservoir, Staffordshire, steam engine, Steam pump, terrapin, turtle, Wildlife
11 Comments
The lost and found
Enjoying the unseasonal weather yesterday, I took another spin around Brocton Field on Cannock Chase before heading out to Blithfield Reservoir. I’ve been idly looking for an oddly English monument for some time, but in the way of things I … Continue reading
Posted in Cannock Chase, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, News, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brereton, Brocton, Cannock Chase, Cycle rides, cycling, Freda, Freda's Grave, Friend of Cannock Chase, Local History, New Photos, New Zealand Rifles, outdoors, Panoramio, Staffordshire, Wildlife
5 Comments
Chasewater… some news at last
I see that after a five week hiatus, there’s been an uncharacteristically useful update on the Lichfield District Council Chasewater Dam Blog, with some interesting information about the outlet culvert and valve controls system. The post has actually come from … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Local Blogs, Local media, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cycle rides, cycling, local blogs, Local politics, New Photos, planning, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Wildlife
4 Comments
Ryders Mere fishery plan withdrawn
Spotted a couple of days ago on Chaz Mason’s excellent Clayhanger Marsh Log, and from a comment this morning by reader Tim, it seams the application to convert peaceful wildlife haven Ryders Mere into a commercial fishing venue has been … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Followups, 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 birding, Brownhills, Chaz Mason, Clayhanger, Clayhanger Marsh Log, Commercial Angling, local blogs, Local politics, Local Wildlife, Parkhill Estates, planning, Railswood, Redevelopment, Ryders Hayes, Ryders Hayes Lane, Ryders Mere, Silly, SSSI, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall politics, Wildlife, withdrawn application
13 Comments
Chasewater – progress at last
Last Friday evening, I swung out to Chasewater to check out how the dam works were progressing. Things seem to be underway again after a pause for reassessment, and many elements of Lichfield District Council’s plans seem to have been … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, 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, Panoramio updates, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Cheap tat, coffer dam, culvert, Cycle rides, Filter, local blogs, Local History, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, Panoramio, piling, planning, Politics, Railway, Reservoir, Silly, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Vandalism, Wildlife
1 Comment
Walsall council netheads need you!
The next focus group meeting for canvassing opinion on the new Walsall Council website takes place at Walsall Council House, Thursday at 6pm. Absolutely all are welcome, and it doesn’t matter if you didn’t go to the previous meeting – … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Fun stuff to see and do, Local Blogs, Local media, News, Reader enquiries, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged Focus group, Internet, planning, Redevelopment, Twitter, volunteer, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Council web site, Web Site, Web Team
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Want to make Walsall Council’s website a bit better?
Hi guys. This is a brief post as I’m bogged down with work right now, but YamYam co-conspirator and all-round webhead @hapdaniel is currently partaking in a focus group relating to an improved Walsall Council Website. We all complain about the current … Continue reading
Watch your step
I noticed last Friday (8th July) that with the heavy rain, this year’s crop of amphibians were fledging and on the move, so if you’re near water – like the canal towpath, here at Anchor Bridge, take care where you … Continue reading
Bike Week: Bike Shop Fun Day (via ChaseWaterCycle Blog)
I’ve just noticed that great local bike experts ChaseWaterCycle are having a fun day tomorrow. So, if you’re in town for the Canal Festival, why not top the day off by popping up to a great local bike shop and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, 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, Wildlife
Tagged beer, Beowulf Brewery, bike-week, Brownhills, brownhills-bob, Canal, Cannock Chase, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Railway, chasewater-country-park, cycle hire, Cycle rides, forest-of-mercia, genesis-bikes, Kona, local blogs, madison, Pubs, Reservoir, ridgeback, Saracen, Staffordshire, Team Green Britain, upcoming-fun-events
1 Comment
Summer’s cauldron
Although it might not feel like it, summer is in full swing. After a very dry start, recent rains have energised mother nature and flowers, insects and animals seem at the very height of their activity. Verges, commons, hedgerows and … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff, Wildlife
Tagged #365daysofbiking, aplles, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Bullmoor Lane, Canterbury Bell, Cycle rides, Hoey bee, Jockey Fields, Jockey Meadow, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, pippins, poppies, Red deer, Snail, Staffordshire, Swarm, tumblr, Walsall Wood, Wildlife
3 Comments
Chasewater: Bracing for impact
I notice today that grim news has been posted on the website of the excellent Chasewater Wildlife Group. I haven’t had time to get over to the park for a week or so, so haven’t been keeping up with progress … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway reopening, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, Cycle rides, Draining, Galliford Try, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Mark Winnington, Neil Turner, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
4 Comments
Lucky shots
I took all four of these photos this afternoon at the garden of Cherry Coppice, Hints, which was exhibiting in the open garden and flower festival event. It’s on tomorrow, too, and is a great day out for gardeners and … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Bee, Events, flowers, Garden festival, gardens, Hints, Hints flower festival, Hints open gardens, Hints Village, lucky, macro photography, Staffordshire, Things to do, Wildlife
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Chasewater Railway reopens Saturday!
Further to my recent article on the matter, I’m genuinely shocked – but very, very pleased – that Chasewater Railway now has a complete, working track again and can recommence regular operations tomorrow. Normal timetables will be in operation all … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local History, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater Dam Blog, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway reopening, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Galliford Try, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, New Photos, Panoramio, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
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Chasewater: ‘From now on, it’s project-managed properly.’
A fascinating piece on Radio WM’s Ed Doolan show today about Chasewater, the predicament Lichfield Council has got itself into, and the handover to Staffordshire Councty Council. In an unusually thorough piece, Mark Winnington of Staffordshire Councty Council and Graham … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Science, Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Local politics, News, planning, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Railway reopening, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Ed Dawes, Ed Doolan, Galliford Try, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, local blogs, Local politics, Local radio, Mark Winnington, Neil Turner, Politics, Radio WM, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Wildlife
6 Comments
Chasewater: Lichfield District Council wave the white flag
Tonight, Lichfield District Council posted on their Chasewater Dam Blog the news that the whole park had been signed over to Staffordshire County Council, who would henceforth be responsible for the completion of the dam works, as well as eventually, … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Followups, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local Blogs, Local media, Local politics, planning, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Wildlife
Tagged Beacon park, Brownhills, causeway, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater delay, Chasewater Wildlife Group, Countryfile, culvert, Cycle rides, Draining, Graham Evans, Lichfield District Council, Lizzie Thatcher, local blogs, Local politics, Neil Turner, Politics, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council, Val Richards, Wildlife
10 Comments
Police target Brownhills offroaders
Longstanding readers of this blog will know how much I loathe the illegal use of scramblers and four-wheel drive vehicles that seems to plague our local commons, country parks, bike trails and open spaces. I know that catching these people … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Cannock Chase, Clayhanger stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Local media, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Council, Wildlife
Tagged 4WD, Brownhills, Brownhills common, Chasewater, Clayhanger, Cycle rides, Engine Lane, four wheel drive, green laning, Illegal offroading, Illegal scrambling, Jo Hunt, mini moto, New Photos, Off roading, offroading, Police, quad bikes, Scambling, Social media, Supt Keith Fraser, Twitter, Vandalism, Walsall, Walsall Council, Walsall Wood, West Midlands Police, Wildlife
6 Comments
Into the wind
The holiday weekend passes, with fine, bright, warm weather. There’s just one snag; the wind is awful. Cycling into it is a real effort, but as you can see, perseverance rewards the hardy cyclist with wonderful views of a wind-blown … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Features, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Wildlife
Tagged Airstrip, Crow's Castle, Cycle rides, Hints, Huddlesford, New Photos, Oilseed Rape, Panoramio, Sittles, Staffordshire, Whitemoor Haye, Williford
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The journey continues
I’ve just posted the following to my #30daysofbiking tumblr blog. I’m having so much fun recording a daily cycling journal, that I’ve decided to continue after taking a straw poll on twatter last night. I’m interested to know what readers … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Local Blogs, Local media, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Shared media, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged #30daysofbiking, #365daysofbiking, bicycle, Brownhills, cycle journey, Cycle rides, cycling advocacy, local blogs, New Photos, Panoramio, Silly, Staffordshire, tumblr, Twitter, Wildlife
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The Weaver Hills: into the valley
Yesterday, I posted the video I took of the uphill climb to the summit of the Weaver Hills. It’s a tough climb, but worth it, and there’s great country when you get there. Calton is a lovely little village and … Continue reading
Posted in cycling, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Interesting photos, Panoramio photo discussions, Panoramio updates, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged bike cam, Calton, cycle cam, Cycle rides, Derelict, Downhill, Ilam, Manifold Valley, Mere Hill, New Photos, Panoramio, Rushley, Rushley Bridge, Staffordshire, The Peak District, Throwley, Throwley Hall, Twitter, Weaver Hills, Wildlife
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Sunday evening grass fire at Chasewater
It seems like the muppets are out in force again. After a spell of dry weather, it looks like the heath fire season has started. As I came through Chasewater tonight at about 8:15pm, I smelled smoke, so took a … Continue reading
Posted in Brownhills stuff, Chasewater, cycling, Environment, Events, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, Shared media, Social Media, Walsall community, Wildlife
Tagged Brownhills, Canal, Chasewater, Chasewater Dam, Chasewater fire, Cycle rides, fire sevice, Grass fire, Heath Fre, New Photos, Reservoir, Staffordshire, Vandalism, Wildlife
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