I love the Humanist stance – there’s absolutely nothing wrong with questioning all we believe. Image from Humanists UK.
The group are a philosophy discussion group and are actually rather wonderful (see below for details).
Following the pub converting the space they used into a restaurant, the group currently have no venue for their Wednesday, July 17th meeting and are looking for a quiet pub with maybe a room they can use free (but of course, they’d be buying beer and snacks – philosophy is heavy work requiring much nourishment).
Somewhere in the Walsall – Brownhills area would be absolutely ideal. Can you help?
Old pal of the blog Charles Street said:
Hi Bob,
Would you be kind kind enough to put the following on your blog, as we don’t want anyone turning up at The Boatman’s Rest for the July meeting.
Please see the message below from our local co-ordinator. The Boatmans Rest has converted the meeting area that we were using to a new restaurant. So as per below, Lichfield Walsall and South Staffs humanist group will be venue-less for the July meeting. As soon as I get any news I will update you.
Cheers
Charles
You may recall at the last meeting that our current venue was thinking of converting the room we use into a restaurant. This has now happened and so at the time of writing we are venueless for July. We are investigating venues, but if anyone knows of a pub (or similar location) in Walsall that would be happy to allow us to meet for a quiet chat/meeting in a quiet room midweek at no charge (very important) other than purchases we might make (hence pub) let us know.
Now I’m sure there must be a local pub that’s quiet of a Wednesday or has a backroom that would be open to these thirsty theorists once a quarter? If you can help, please do get in touch by commenting here or mailing me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
Old pal of the blog, Charles Street let me know about the group and meeting schedule a couple of months ago – and the fact that’s it’s completely free to attend.
If you’re interested in philosophy, the nature of what we believe and accept, this could be a great evening with like minded people.
Charles said:
Hi Bob
I wonder if you’d be kind enough to give a mention to our Humanist group on your blog?
I’m a member of Humanists UK, and also a member of the local Humanist group (LWASS – Lichfield Walsall and South Staffs) Humanists – we hold a meeting every quarter for those interested in Humanism, Atheism, Secularism and related subject areas.
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday every quarter – January April July and October at 7:45pm-ish until 9:45pm-ish for those interested in Humanism and related matters.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday July 17, 2019 – but is currently without a venue.
At the moment there are around a dozen of us that meet up and have a general chat about Humanism – we’re looking for new people to come and add to the discussion.
P.S. there is no membership fee – anyone that’s interested just come and join in. We have a diverse range of members, and from all colours of the political spectrum. – If you’re interested come and say hello – we are really nice people!!
The Humanists have a whole bunch of stuff going on and their website above is worth a look: I’ve always been a big fan of Birmingham Sceptics in the Pub who post some very interesting, thought provoking stuff on social media.
Tell me more: Comment here, mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com or tug my coat on the antisocial media.
A headsup here that this Saturday, 6th July 2019 Brownhills Community Centre will be hosting the annual Walsall poetry and spoken word festival Freeverse, which kicks off at 12 noon and tuns until 7pm.
There are workshops, performances from leading poets and performers, and the chance to meet and chat to other local poets. It looks set to be a fantastic event. There’s even grey pays and bercon. The organisers said:
Can I draw your attention to Freeverse – Walsall’s Spoken Word Festival at the Lamp (Brownhills Community Centre) from 12.00 to 7.00 pm on Saturday 6th July 2019?
It’s a free event with live readings, open mic events, Find Your Voice poetry workshop and a merchandise stand plus we’ve faggots, gray payse & bacon bits bubbling away on the stove (ask your Nan).
Freeverse is a free poetry festival celebrating poetry from Walsall, the West Midlands and Beyond.
Organised by Orators and their Opinions open mic and Walsall Poetry Society Freeverse Poetry Festival is a brilliant afternoon of poetry with great local performers and the chance for poets of all levels of experience to share their words at special open mic sessions.
Appearing at the festival will be Willis the Poet, Holly Daffurn, Rob Francis, Paul McDonald, Samantha Roden, Paul Elwell and Gerald Kells. Our headliners are the fantastic Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists, aka Steve Pottinger, Dave Pitt and Emma Purshouse.
We’re also pleased to announce Scarlett Ward and Sallyanne Rock will be running a free poetry workshop entitled, “Find your voice.” Sign up by contacting Scarlett directly or leaving a comment below.
Brownhills Community Centre and The Lamp will have refreshments and snacks for sale at their licensed bar, please note car parking is also free as well. All poets are welcome to bring any of their books and sell them at the event. Please note all open mics are sign up after the event opens on the day itself.
This festival is supported by the University of Wolverhampton and supported and sponsored by Creative Black Country.
The Community Centre is what my generation would know as ‘The Annexe’ – the old Central Boy’s School, now a bustling community resource. To find out more, you can pop in or call them on 01543 452119.
The Community Association have lots of stuff going on, and loads of great facilities, right in the heart of Brownhills. I love what they’re about and all the great things they’re doing.
It’s all going on at Brownhills Community Centre. Image from Walsall Council.
Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills, now renamed and revitalised as A5 Live.
This year the music, entertainment and fun returns, and takes place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th August 2019, and tickets are now on sale. It promises to be the biggest and best yet!
There are a fantastic range of bands – The Livewire, JR Hardbridge Band, Not Quite Dead Yet, The Dynamics, The Foo Fighters, Tin Soldier, Fleetwood Mad, Blacksheep, Slyder, Martian Social Club, The Endings, Teachers Pet, Arran Page, Skyfoil, Daisy D*ukes, Tin Alien and Caroline Bella.
A5 Live – the summer festival on your doorstep.
An unforgettable crowd, fantastic live bands, the amazing Humbuckers Licensed Bar, plus fantastic food vendors.
This is the 3rd year of A5 Live and the bands will be announced soon, the charity is Dementia Awareness and Livewire are headlining Friday night and a Foo fighters Tribute are headlining Saturday night.
Just a heads up to let folk know that there’s a popular and regular autism support group meeting in Brownhills every Tuesday lunchtime from 1:30-2:30pm at the Smithy’s Forge pub, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, just off the Miner Island.
For parents, carers, etc. of children and adults with autism.
Weekly support group every Tuesday at the Smithys Forge, Brownhills 1:30-2:30 🌈
The group has been running for a few months now and is growing in popularity – so why not pop along to see what it’s all about?
You may be aware having been to Chasewater Country Park today, or from social media that there was a large emergency services response to an incident in the park late this afternoon, Sunday June 30th 2019.
Police are investigating after the body of a man was recovered from Chasewater Reservoir in Burntwood, Staffordshire this evening (Sunday 30 June).
Officers were called to the park at around 6pm today following reports two people had got into difficulty while in the water.
A young girl made it safely out of the water, but tragically a 21-year-old man died.
Emergency services including West Midlands Ambulance Service, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Staffordshire Air Ambulance all attended.
The identities of the people involved are known to officers and their next of kin are being informed. They will be offered support by specially trained officers.
The Coroner will be informed of the incident, officers continue to investigate the circumstances around what happened and are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting incident 654 of 30 June.
If you have any information related to this incident call Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting the details above.
There are a selection of articles that David Evans has spotted in the huge Gerald Reece collection that have really interested me and are very much worth a share – they are from a very much lost local history book by noted author and historian Ned Williams about local cinemas, and give the most complete history I’ve ever seen of the picture houses of the area – including Brownhills.
Published in 1984 and sold for £1.95: Now changing hands for more than £30. Que sera.
The following article (and ones to come) are all from a book I’ve never managed to obtain a copy of, and I last saw change hands for upwards of £30: ‘The Cinemas of Aldridge and Brownhills’ by Ned Williams, published in 1984. Gerald had kept copies of the articles and I feature the first here, about The Palace Cinema in Brownhills.
The Regent stood on the High Street where Ravens Court is now.
The book was published by Uralia Press, of 28 Westland Road Wolverhampton with the ISBN of 0 946406 07 3 – do get a copy if you can. I pay tribute here to the immense cannon of work by Ned Williams, a truly remarkable author and researcher.
Ned wrote:
THE REGENT, BROWNHILLS
As made clear in the chapter on the Palace, Brownhills, the first cinema in the town was provided by Sidney Bray of Dudley, eventually in partnership with his brother-in-law Wally Davies. However, films had certainly been seen in the town long before the opening of the Palace. As in almost every other part of Britain, the inhabitants of Brownhills first saw films as presented by travelling showmen at the fairground. Among the showmen and fairground folk who came to Brownhills Wake were the Jervis brothers: Miles, Edward and Tom.
Edward Jervis, the man who built the Regent, Brownhills. (Collection of Miles Jervis III)
The Jervis family originally came from Yorkshire and were marketeers dealing in pottery. During the nineteenth century pot-fairs, like horse-fairs and goose-fairs became associated with providing entertainment for town dwellers and it was inevitable that traders themselves dabbled in providing the rides and amusements of the fairs, and the latter became more profitable than the original trade. Films, presented by the “bioscope” and “kinematograph” were a popular fairground attraction from 1896 onwards. As the medium gained in popularity two things happened. Firstly the presentation of the show became more elaborate, and therefore cumbersome to the showman. Secondly, there was a growing temptation to stay in one place and continue one’s success on a permanent basis. The Jervis brothers settled in the mining communities of the Cannock Coalfield.
Edward Jervis rented a market hall in Chasetown and installed kinematograph equipment. Strangely enough he could not bring himself to settle down in one place at this time and he sold the enterprise to his brother Miles (hereafter referred to as Miles Jervis I, to distinguish him from his son and grandson of the same name). The oldest brother, Tom Jervis, did so well in Heath Hayes that he decided to stay — building a proper brick wall around his former travelling show. This received its first Kine licence as a “movable structure” in the summer of 1915. As we will see in the next chapter of this book Tom and Miles Jervis I later took over the Palace, Walsall Wood but they did not venture into Brownhills as Sidney Bray was established there.
Bernard Bray, Sidney Bray’s son who became Wally Davie’s partner in the Regent, Brownhills upon his father’s death in 1940: the man who felt himself to be a Quota Regulations “martyr” in bringing too many America cinemascope films to Brownhills.
By the mid twenties Edward Jervis seems to have come to terms with his wanderlust, perhaps influenced by the success of his brothers. He took over the Palace, Walsall Wood (see later chapter), and cast his eyes on Brownhills. Apparently he may have tried to persuade Messrs Bray and Davies to part with the Palace and may have found them unwilling to sell it. Undeterred by this it seems that he decided to build his own superior cinema in Brownhills in open competition with the Palace. He acquired a site in Brownhills High Street and then set about building the cinema himself.
The mid twenties was a strange time to choose to build a new cinema in such a community. The coal strikes of 1921 and 1926 had both created serious recessions in the town, shops had laid-off staff etc… But one ‘advantage’ of this was a ready supply of labour which enabled Edward Jervis to find skilled assistance in building the Regent, without formerly engaging a contractor. A bricklayer named Mr. Anderson supervised much of the work. Bill Hatton followed Edward Jervis from the Palace, Walsall Wood (see next chapter) and assisted by digging gravel for despatch to the building site by horse and cart. Four loads a day were needed to make enough concrete for the balconette!
The auditorium was set back from the High Street and originally only had a narrow entrance, surrounded by existing shops. The red-carpetted passage from the entrance was just big enough for two queues; one for the stalls and one for the small balconette.
It has been extremely difficult to establish beyond all doubt when the Regent was completed and opened. Bill Hatton who was working for Edward Jervis at the time is sure that it opened in September 1927. On the other hand there is some evidence that it was not until the latter half of 1928. The Regent’s existence is first recorded in the Kine Year Book for 1929 which would mean that 1928 was the latest year in which it could have opened. It was built as a ‘silent’ cinema, but the talkies were on their way. Had it not been for the coming of sound the Palace would have had to concede defeat to the newcomer, but the coming of sound created an interesting situation in Brownhills.
The Regent, Brownhills, copied from an original in a scrapbook belonging to Wally Davies, and preserved by John Felton, who had built this ‘new’ frontage to the cinema in 1938. In this case the handwritten date appears to be incorrect. It seems more likely that the photograph was taken in May 1945 and that the cinema was decorated to celebrate V. E. Day. (Collection of the late Wally Davies)
The Talkies, represented by The Singing Fool, made their West Midlands debut in Birmingham at the Futurist on 18th March 1929. The film arrived in Walsall five months later. Meanwhile, local cinemas fought to be first to present sound – by one means or another. At Chase Terrace, Miles Jervis I was quick to pursue the possibilities of sound-on – disc. Ted Jervis at the Regent opted for the sound – on – film system. Ironically the Palace chose the other system and the battle between the two cinemas was turned to their advantage. For a time only short films were available for sound – on film projection while the Palace was able to screen the popular feature-length sound films. In the end the Regent adopted the Marshall sound system. Ironically the acoustics of a wood-lined tin shed were often superior to those of a brick building!
The rivalry between the Palace and the Regent ceased when Ted Jervis sold his cinema to Sidney Bray and Wally Davies. It seems that the wanderlust was affecting Ted Jervis again and he set off to acquire four very small cinemas in North Wales. This happened in 1931, confirmed by Kelly’s Directory in 1932 in which Messrs Bray and Davies are listed as proprietors of the Regent. Jim Hatton, in his own impressive commissionaire’s uniform, and Bill Hatton had both followed Edward Jervis from Walsall Wood to Brownhills but they did not stay at the Regent for long after the change in ownership. Bill Hatton had been the cinema’s bill-poster, but in 1932 this finished when Messrs Bray and Davies presumably put Jack Turner in charge of both Brownhills’ cinemas and began closing the Palace during the summer months and only opening for three days during the winter. Bill Hatton had driven Edward Jervis’s car once or twice and on the strength of this experience, and as a result of several coincidences, he started to drive a lorry for the brickyard, meanwhile working part-time again at Walsall Wood for Enoch Simpson! (see next chapter).
Jack Turner’s brother, Charlie, became the ‘chief operator’ at the Regent for Messrs Bray and Davies. Sometimes he was assisted by Tom Bridgen, who, as described in the previous chapter, had joined the staff of the two cinemas at the age of fourteen in 1936. The ubiquitous Harry Russell also appears in the Regent’s story at about this time. Sidney Bray engaged him to assist Charlie Turner for eight shillings (40p) a week.
Wally Davies and Sidney Bray decided to improve and enlarge the Regent. Plans were drawn by Messrs Cleland and Hayward of Wolverhampton, and it was proposed to turn the small balconette into a proper circle, and raise the roof as part of the auditorium. The Regent was also to acquire a new frontage and, as can be seen from the photograph this was quite impressive, the vertical ‘fin’ bringing the ‘moderne’ cinema style to Brownhills High Street. It seems that the rebuilding took place in two distinct stages, the work on the frontage taking place after the other work had been done and thus making interpretation of the surviving sheets of the plans rather difficult.
Holding 468 patrons in the stalls and 148 in the new circle, the capacity of the Regent would now be 634. (Sometimes this is listed as 700 and 750). The contractor engaged to carry out the alterations was John Felton, who also built the Lyttleton at Halesowen for Sidney Bray. The work was carried out in 1938, and while the Regent was temporarily closed the Palace enjoyed a return to six days a week film shows!
Sidney Bray died in December 1940 and his share in the Regent passed to his son, Bernard Bray. The thirty-year-old Bernard was already managing the Lyttleton at Halesowen and therefore it seemed natural to let ‘Uncle Wally’ carry on looking after the cinema in Brownhills. (I write ‘cinema’ in the singular as I assume that the Palace had closed by the time of Sidney Bray’s death). The Regent was still managed by Jack Turner, but Wally Davies exercised a fairly personal interest in it. Even Mrs. Bray (Wally’s sister) and her son Bernard were seen at Brownhills. For a long time the operator was Denis Toddington. While the War was on he had started working part-time at the Regent. Like most other part-time cinema staff in this area, he worked at Walsall Wood Colliery by day. He began his career at the Regent by taking tickets and graduated to the operating box.
In 1954 Jack Turner, and the operator, Denis Toddington had great reason to be proud of the Regent. They were the first to instal Cinemascope equipment on the Staffordshire side of Birmingham – beating their rivals in Walsall. The existing screen had to be used, and this was modified to the correct ratio by lowering a curtain, but the stereophonic sound, from eighteen loudspeakers was delivered in all its glory. The new equipment cost £4,500 which led to an extra 3d being added to the price of the dearest seats: l/6d! When The Robe opened on 12th July 1954 it was almost the twenty-fifth anniversary of sound arriving in Brownhills. Shortly afterwards facilities were installed for screening films in Vista Vision. All this activity led the Regent to advertise its existence in the Walsall Observer for a few months.
The Regent was in the news once again in the summer of 1956. Bernard Bray and Wally Davies were summoned to appear before Brownhills Magistrates for failing to observe ‘Quota Regulations’ during the year they had installed Cinemascope. The Quota System was designed to protect the British film industry by demanding that cinemas showed a percentage of home-produced films. It was a system that was disliked by the trade, and indirectly by the public, as well as having a quirky effect on both the manufacture and exhibition of films. In 1953/54 the quota was 30%,and the Regent had only shown 23.9% of British films. The defendants pleaded a lack of British Cinemascope films but were fined anyway. Bernard Bray complained to the press, ‘We have been penalised because we were too progressive and wanted to bring the Regent right up to date.’
In February 1959 Bernard Bray died at the early age of forty-nine. Wally Davies was left to look after the Regent at a difficult time, and shortly afterwards the future of the Regent was threatened by the possible redevelopment of that part of Brownhills High Street. To bring the history of the cinema round in full circle the Regent returned to the Jervis family.
The final owner of the Regent was Miles Jervis III, the grandson of Miles Jervis I and the grand-nephew of Edward Jervis who had built the Regent’ When Bernard Bray had died early in 1959 it left Wally Davies with the problem of not only running the Regent, but also of booking the films. Wally Davies was then in his late sixties and was anxious to find help in this matter. Help came from Miles Jervis III, who had been trained in the business by his father, Miles Jervis II. (The latter and Bernard Bray had common interests as independent exhibitors much concerned with finding suitable programmes for their cinemas). Miles Jervis III helped Wally Davies with film booking until finally acquiring the Regent at the end of 1961. Wally Davies then retired to the house in Dudley where Sidney Bray had once lived and where he had built hydroplanes in a workshop! He died in 1972 but most of his effects, including plans of the Regent and photographs of the Palace and Regent survived in that house for almost another decade.
Denis Toddington, the operator, stayed for three months while the new owner established himself. In February 1962, a project was announced to bring the Regent into line with the cinemas at Cannock and Aldridge.
The new manager, Mr. W. J. Jelly, who could boast of thirty-four years in the business, said that a new screen and surround was planned, and that the seating in the circle was being replaced by a more luxurious type. The foyer, which he described as being like a barn at the time, was to be remodelled in contemporary style and a large sales kiosk was to be incorporated. New signs would illuminate the cinema’s High Street frontage.
To encourage the development of the cinema-going habit, Mr Jelly had started a childrens’ club which was already flourishing. Of more importance to adult film fans, he was to obtain films in the future almost immediately they left Walsall’s first run cinemas. Mr Jelly expected all this work to be completed by Easter and it was possible then that the cinema’s name would be changed from the Regent to the New Palace.
The Regent continued to be a well-patronised and profitable cinema, but the threat of redevelopment still hung over it, so the improvements and new name never took place. In the event, Miles Jervis III was only able to operate the Regent for about nine months before it became the victim of a Compulsory Purchase Order. It closed on 29th September 1962 with John Ford’s masterpiece, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. With hindsight, it is possible to see what a wonderful choice of final film this was. I doubt if anyone in the audience heard the famous line, ‘Print the legend’, and thought of the history of local cinemas, but maybe someone realised that the town of Shinbone featured in the film was Brownhill’s transatlantic alter-ego, and that Shinbone’s Liberty Valance was like Brownhill’s Dick Turpin, who had once sped past the future site of the Regent, creating a legend [Oh dear god no – Bob].
After closure the Regent was boarded up until demolished for redevelopment of the area, which began just over a year later, on 10th November 1963. Today the site is occupied by the Ravens Court Shopping Precinct.
If you have any thoughts or questions on the Regent or any other cinema in Brownhills, please do share them – comment here, find me on social media or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.
Gerald and Cherry Reece: on whose shoulders all my work here stands. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Following on from the Armed Forces Day fun day and gig at Walsall Wood FC – which I’m told raised over £500 for Help a Squaddie – there’s more armed forces weekend charity-supporting fun at the Horse and Jockey, Walsall Wood this afternoon.
There are cars and bikes on display, paintball, live music, inflatables, sand art and all manner of carnival fun, games and competitions, as well as plenty of great food and drink – and a barbecue too. It’s all supported by the great folk at T.S. Vigo, based in Clayhanger.
I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol.
The Patrol are there right now – this and every Sunday from 1-3pm and have bird books, binoculars and a wealth of knowledge to share – so why not join them? There’s so much more local wildlife than people think!
The reserve is by the pools on Stubbers Green Road, between Aldridge and Shelfield.
Ann Lawrence of the Swan Patrol said:
Do you want to know more about nature and wildlife?
Stubbers Green Nature Reserve Aldridge Swan Patrol every Sunday 1-3pm
Lollipops and stickers for children that bring good healthy bird foods. Sweet corn, lettuce, porridge oats, branflakes, cornflakes, vegetable peelings, bird seed.
We have binoculars and bird books available to use.
Just a heads up that this afternoon, Saturday 29th June 2019 there’s a great community music event in the heart of Walsall at Caldmore Community Garden in Carless Street.
The event runs from 2pm-7pm in the garden, and continues from 8pm at the White Lion pub in Sandwell Street.
It’s free to attend, family friendly and will have all kinds of stuff for adults and kids – including food with a cafe and barbecue.
The acts look great to with local musicians ideal for a super, sunny afternoon.
The organisers said:
Saturday June 29th
FREE ENTRY
2pm–7pm | Caldmore Community Garden
Carless Street WS1 3RH
8pm til late | The White Lion
150 Sandwell Street WS1 3EQ
A chilled afternoon and evening of music and entertainment at Caldmore Community Garden and the White Lion Pub.
· Family friendly · Refreshments
· Garden Café open · Barbecue
· Children’s activities
Latest addition will be a Mocktail Bar!! With great non alcoholic cocktails!!
ARTISTS SO FAR CONFIRMED
CALDMORE COMMUNITY GARDEN:
Alex Fawson
April
George Langman
George Northall
Jay Northall
Martin Breeden
Morrell
Nessa Richardson Owamya
Small Town
…plus special guests
THE WHITE LION:
Chris Ward
Jack Cattell
Not Quite Dead Yet
Trouble & Strife
I also note that this Saturday 29th June 2019 is Armed Forces Day, and you can show your support for our folk in uniform with a great fun day of excellent bands, music and entertainment at Walsall Wood FC, all organised by community dynamo Ian Neville.
You can catch some top notch bands, there’s stuff for the kids, it’s just a fiver in for adults with the children free – so what’s not to love?
ARMED FORCES DAY
Saturday 29th June 2019
Walsall Wood FC’s ground, Oak Park, Walsall Wood
GATES OPEN 2PM
4 pm Full Send covers band
5 pm The Thing rock covers band
6 pm Paper Castles rock band
7 pm Band With No Name blues band
8 pm Kevin Ruby-Astin, Britpop Ska etc.
9 pm WMD, rock band
10 pm till close Martin Dawson spinning all your favourite Ska, Soul and Motown tracks
Andrew Wood DJ will be providing sounds in between bands
Bouncy castle , food van on site…
Please come and listen to some great music and show our armed forces we care – all profits going to the HELP A SQUADDIE charity.
Some of their veterans should be in attendance to tell you about their stories and lives after the injuries they received protecting our freedom.
£5 entry on gate, kids free.
If you pop in for an hour or stay all day you are most welcome
If you’ve a child or children under 4 years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 29th June 2019 from 10-11:30am.
It costs just two quid per kid and includes fruit and a drink, so it’s great value and it’s run by those wonderful people at the Little Green Dragons Nursery, who are resident at the centre and are fully qualified nursery teachers.
There are games and toys and all manner of fun for the weans – and you get a break to boot.
Saturday 29th June 2019
POP…POP…POP….
Our messy tray will be outdoors this week. Following the children’s interests from last week we will be making gigantic bubbles! We will be using different sizes hoops to see who can make the biggest bubble of all!
Our creative table will be free flow with a variety of materials to use to make whatever you and your little ones wish.
Sandtray will be open and accessible as it is every week.
Along with all our other areas of play within the nursery setting:
• home corner • construction • small world • maths area • cosy book/music area • baby sensory area
See you all Saturday ….
Fingers crossed the sun has her hat on! ☀️☀️☀️
We will be outdoors also which is loved by all every single week 🌈🌈🌈
10.00am-11.30am £2 per child Snack included
Feel free to invite your friends with children aged 0-4 years and share our events
This group is held at Little Green Dragons Day Nursery every Saturday morning …
The Community Centre is what my generation would know as ‘The Annexe’ – the old Central Boy’s School, now a bustling community resource. To find out more, you can pop in or call them on 01543 452119.
The Community Association have lots of stuff going on, and loads of great facilities, right in the heart of Brownhills. I love what they’re about and all the great things they’re doing.
Just a heads up that this Saturday 29th June 2019 there’s a great community music event in the heart of Walsall at Caldmore Community Garden in Carless Street.
The event runs from 2pm-7pm in the garden, and continues from 8pm at the White Lion pub in Sandwell Street.
It’s free to attend, family friendly and will have all kinds of stuff for adults and kids – including food with a cafe and barbecue.
The acts look great to with local musicians ideal for a super, sunny afternoon.
The organisers said:
Saturday June 29th
FREE ENTRY
2pm–7pm | Caldmore Community Garden
Carless Street WS1 3RH
8pm til late | The White Lion
150 Sandwell Street WS1 3EQ
A chilled afternoon and evening of music and entertainment at Caldmore Community Garden and the White Lion Pub.
· Family friendly · Refreshments
· Garden Café open · Barbecue
· Children’s activities
Latest addition will be a Mocktail Bar!! With great non alcoholic cocktails!!
ARTISTS SO FAR CONFIRMED
CALDMORE COMMUNITY GARDEN:
Alex Fawson
April
George Langman
George Northall
Jay Northall
Martin Breeden
Morrell
Nessa Richardson Owamya
Small Town
…plus special guests
THE WHITE LION:
Chris Ward
Jack Cattell
Not Quite Dead Yet
Trouble & Strife
I also note that this Saturday 29th June 2019 is Armed Forces Day, and you can show your support for our folk in uniform with a great fun day of excellent bands, music and entertainment at Walsall Wood FC, all organised by community dynamo Ian Neville.
You can catch some top notch bands, there’s stuff for the kids, it’s just a fiver in for adults with the children free – so what’s not to love?
ARMED FORCES DAY
Saturday 29th June 2019
Walsall Wood FC’s ground, Oak Park, Walsall Wood
GATES OPEN 2PM
4 pm Full Send covers band
5 pm The Thing rock covers band
6 pm Paper Castles rock band
7 pm Band With No Name blues band
8 pm Kevin Ruby-Astin, Britpop Ska etc.
9 pm WMD, rock band
10 pm till close Martin Dawson spinning all your favourite Ska, Soul and Motown tracks
Andrew Wood DJ will be providing sounds in between bands
Bouncy castle , food van on site…
Please come and listen to some great music and show our armed forces we care – all profits going to the HELP A SQUADDIE charity.
Some of their veterans should be in attendance to tell you about their stories and lives after the injuries they received protecting our freedom.
£5 entry on gate, kids free.
If you pop in for an hour or stay all day you are most welcome
There’s a great Community Fun Day taking place this Saturday 29th June 2019 at St. James Church, Brownhills, from 11am.
There will be all the usual summer treats and fun – including cakes and refreshments, barbecue, tombola, raffle and all manner of entertainment for all the family.
Of recent years there has been much concern locally (and nationally, for that matter) about decreasing police presence in our communities and ongoing crime like antisocial behaviour, vehicle thefts and burglaries.
Image from West Midlands Police.
Very often I have heard residents express the view that they’d like to be able to protect their communities better – well, the chance to do that is coming to Brownhills soon if enough people show an interest. Street Watch schemes have already have been trialled in Aldridge and several areas of Walsall are hoping to, or are in the process of starting their own with the full backing and support of West Midlands Police.
Street Watch involves residents banding together under a lead co-ordinator to patrol their streets – for a minimum of two hours per month – with the support of local police.
I’ll let Engagement and Consultation Officer Kevin Pitt from West Midlands Police explain:
Brownhills Street Watch
Do you live in Brownhills? Are you passionate about protecting your community?
If you are prepared to volunteer your time for a minimum of 2 hours a month to patrol around your local area then you may be interested in volunteering to join Brownhills Street 8.
We need a minimum of 10 people to volunteer, including someone who is willing to be a lead co-ordinator.
Many thanks…
Kevin Pitt
Engagement and Consultation Officer
This is one step on from the generally successful neighbourhood watch schemes, and represents citizens taking an active role in patrolling their streets. Whilst I can see some potential issues, if managed well (as I’m sure this will be) it can only be a good thing.
If you’re interested please do contact Kevin Pitt via email on the link above, and don’t forget to let me know how you get on.
Just a heads up to let folk know that there’s a popular and regular autism support group meeting in Brownhills every Tuesday lunchtime from 1:30-2:30pm at the Smithy’s Forge pub, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, just off the Miner Island.
For parents, carers, etc. of children and adults with autism.
Weekly support group every Tuesday at the Smithys Forge, Brownhills 1:30-2:30 🌈
The group has been running for a few months now and is growing in popularity – so why not pop along to see what it’s all about?
This is the best steam/vintage event I’ve ever been to.
If you’re a regular reader of the blog, you’ll know I adore steam engines and British Summertime events. In short, you’ll find me anywhere where there’s the smell of coal smoke on a sunny day, where I can stand with an ice cream or brew, marvelling over and admiring or chatting about a variety of mechanical geekery from times past.
At times, it was like invasion of the tractors. Never seen so many.
I rode out early and the three hour ride was well worth it – as was the £5 entry fee. It reminded me of the also excellent Barton Gate steam fair, but seemed bigger with a busier atmosphere.
There were steam engines of course – of every variety: traction, showmans, road rollers, lorries and miniatures. There were stationary engines for the diesel strokers and petrolheads. Vintage and classic motorbikes, cars and one of the largest displays of tractors I’ve ever seen in my life.
But not just that: a very good range of food, a beer tent, fairground rides, a busy arena, models, tool and ephemera stalls, even a remote controlled tractor demo (I’m not kidding) – and friendly alpacas too.
Scam-Hazel Farm where the event is held is hone to over 160 alpacas, like Teacup here.
The highlight for me was all the vehicles pulling into line to parade out – Sadly I couldn’t stay for the actual parade, but will hopefully be there for it next year. At 4pm, all whistles were blown in unison. By that time I was on my way to Staunton Harold and could hear the beautiful cacophony of it.
But of course, what made this friendly show so great was the British weather which was sunny and hot, and the range of characters and their dogs. I’ve always adored such events for people watching and it was a cracker for that.
I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol.
The Patrol are there right now – this and every Sunday from 1-3pm and have bird books, binoculars and a wealth of knowledge to share – so why not join them? There’s so much more local wildlife than people think!
The reserve is by the pools on Stubbers Green Road, between Aldridge and Shelfield.
Ann Lawrence of the Swan Patrol said:
Do you want to know more about nature and wildlife?
Stubbers Green Nature Reserve Aldridge Swan Patrol every Sunday 1-3pm
Lollipops and stickers for children that bring good healthy bird foods. Sweet corn, lettuce, porridge oats, branflakes, cornflakes, vegetable peelings, bird seed.
We have binoculars and bird books available to use.
Jessie Road in Aldridge is a large community – there must be plenty of Bill’s mates still about. Image from Apple Maps.
I’ve had a very interesting enquiry from reader Rebecca Elizabeth who’s trying to trace some of her father’s old friends: The old fella is nearing 60 now and he’d love to get in touch with his old mates again.
Rebecca Elizabeth wrote:
Hello Bob
I’m trying to do a good deed – I’m trying to trace my dad’s old friends for him.
My Dad is Willian (Bill) Poxon who lived in Jessie Road, Aldridge in the 70s and attended Aldridge High School and left in 1978.
He had friends in the Jessie Road area, but also some that drank in the Railway Tavern in Brownhills for years but hasn’t been able to find any of his friends from there either.
Two of his friends were called Steven Williams and Julia Roberts and they left school with him in 1978.Searches on Facebook have drawn a blank.
I hope this helps and thank you so much
Rebecca Elizabeth
Thanks to Rebecca for such a lovely, thoughtful enquiry – let’s see what we can do.
If you can help, please do. You can contact Rebecca directly via Facebook by clicking here, or you can comment on this post or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com, or hit me up on social media wherever you follow me.
Friend of the blog Chris Booth has been in touch to let me know about a rather nice Coffee Concert that’s due to take place this afternoon (Saturday 22nd June 2019) at the Silver Street Methodist Church in Brownhills, featuring the talented pianist Jean Martyn.
There’s coffee and cake afterwards, so what’s not to love? It kicks off at 2:30pm
Why not join us for 45 mins of music from Britain’s Got Talent Finalist & International Concert Pianist & Organist Jean Martyn? Followed by Coffee & Cake Retiring Collection for Church Funds
This Saturday 22nd June 2019 if you’ve got older kids why not try the PEPA Active Sports Club at Brownhills Community Centre from 10am-11am?
It’s suitable for kids from 6-11 years old and there’s all manner of fun stuff going on – Dodgeball, Archery, Nerf Wars – just £3 per week per kid.
See you there?
🌟 Saturday 22nd June 🌟 🌟 Brownhills Community Centre and The Lamp 🌟 🌟 £3 per session 🌟 🌟 Bring a friend and get the next session free 🌟 🌟 6 – 11 year olds 🌟 🌟 Come and have a go on our smoothie bike🚲🌟 🌟10 am – 11am 🌟
If you’ve a child or children under 4 years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 22nd June 2019 from 10-11:30am.
It costs just two quid per kid and includes fruit and a drink, so it’s great value and it’s run by those wonderful people at the Little Green Dragons Nursery, who are resident at the centre and are fully qualified nursery teachers.
There are games and toys and all manner of fun for the weans – and you get a break to boot.
Saturday 22nd June 2019
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW 🌈
Our messy tray will be overflowing with hundreds of rainbow drops! We will be exploring different shapes,colours,tastes and textures whilst developing our maths skills without even knowing😏 with filling and emptying-categorising colours and counting through your play 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Our creative table will be sunflowers 🌻 with lots of gluing and sticking
Sandtray will be open and accessible as it is every week 👍🏼
Along with all our other areas of play within the nursery setting:
• home corner • construction • small world • maths area • cosy book/music area • baby sensory area
See you all Saturday…
Fingers crossed the sun has her hat on ☀️☀️☀️we will be outdoors also which is loved by all every single week 🌈🌈🌈
10.00am-11.30am £2 per child Snack included
Feel free to invite your friends with children aged 0-4 years and share our events.
This group is held at Little Green Dragons Day Nursery every Saturday morning.2
The Community Centre is what my generation would know as ‘The Annexe’ – the old Central Boy’s School, now a bustling community resource. To find out more, you can pop in or call them on 01543 452119.
The Community Association have lots of stuff going on, and loads of great facilities, right in the heart of Brownhills. I love what they’re about and all the great things they’re doing.
There’s also an appeal ongoing for people who may be interested to join the friends of New Hall Mill and help in all sorts of ways – the team need all kinds of expertise from guides to engineering types who may have time to spare. See further down this post for details.
The open day is free to enter too (although donations are welcomed).
The Friends of Newhall Mill said:
Bob
The Friends of New Hall Mill will be opening the water mill to the public on Sunday 23rd June. Come along and see flour being produced from wheat in the traditional way, have a go on a hand operated quern as still used in parts of the world today. Visit the gift shop, be entertained with Live music, see the many side stalls in the grounds and experience lovely walks alongside the streams and through the meadows.
There is an exhibition room and small tearoom selling cakes and beverages along with a garden shop where produce may be purchased from the millers garden. Don’t forget to visit Auntie Wainwrights to find that bargain that you always wanted.
For your entertainment, we have The Lichfield Lighthouse Company performing 20 min sessions in the mill yard at 12:30pm, 1:20pm and 1:55pm.
There will be a guided walk at approx 2.00 pm around the mill and the grounds.
In the meadows and grounds; we have Displays & Demonstrations by –
Bournville Bread Basket
Maidens Fayre Jams
Sutton Chess Club
The Turner Model Collection
Charles & Diana display
“A Childhood remembered” display
Vintage Tins display
Model Fairground
British Woodcarvers Association
Birmingham & The Black Country Wildlife Trust
Fentham Cottage Products
Sutton Coldfield Civic Society
Paper Flower Making
Vintage Bicycles display
I totally geeked out over this wonderful place.
Entry to the site and Parking is free, donations are always welcome in order that we raise funds to maintain the buildings for all to see in the future.
Please note that we open at 10:00 and close at 4:00pm with last entry onto site being at 3:45pm.
Only disability assistance dogs are allowed on site.
Access to the mill is off Wylde Green Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1QU some 200 metres from National Cycle Route 534.
Having seen what we do, could you be able to assist? In order to continue holding these events, we need additional membership to help out on Open Days and Work Days. It is not all about Flour production – We have ageing machinery to maintain, tea room staff are always welcome, there are openings in all areas. Have a chat with a volunteer on Open day.
This is certainly a project worth visiting and supporting – please do pop along if you can. You can check out a gallery of my photos taken there last year below. I had a great time.
I note with concern that the bogus workmen claiming to be working on fencing for neighbours is still in operation and targeting the local elderly folk.
The story is of course, utterly false and it’s a con.
Mike Sarsfield wrote:
Hi Bob,
Mike Sarsfield from Swansea reporting in. Please can you publish the following:
I had a phone call from an elderly lady relative of mine who still lives in the Brownhills area. She was worried, because she had had a visit from a man in a van, who had her name and address and he was trying to have her to pay money for work he had done on a neighbours fence [shared] on her side.
She challenged him and threatened him with the police. He took off fast. She has reported it to the Police, who will follow up.
A suggestion to all ~ be on our guard and report anything that looks out of the ordinary, to your neighbourhood watch and the Police.
I am glad to report that she is no worse the wear for this encounter.
Many thanks Bob, keep the excellent site going, and I hope to be in contact again soon,
Mike Sarsfield
Please tell your relatives and neighbours about this scam, and impress upon them how important it is not to be menaced into giving money for services at the door, no matter how plausible the people demanding cash are. Genuine companies will always contact you by other means.
Explain that no official body will turn up unannounced demanding money for services like gardening, drain cleaning, fence repairs, tree pruning etc., and that if they are at all unsure of any caller, to close the door and contact the police.
Scumbags preying on the elderly and vulnerable are lower than a snake’s knees.
Please, if you have any further information relating to this matter, or if you’ve witnessed something suspicious, please contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 (999 in an emergency, obviously) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Gwendoline’s funeral will be at St. Johns, Walsall Wood. Imagery from Apple Maps.
Rob Bird has been in touch to let readers know of the sad passing of his mother, Gwendoline Bird (nee Phillips) who passed away on the 12th June 2019, and to invite all who knew her to her funeral at Walsall Wood on Wednesday, 3rd July 2019.
My and our sincerest condolences – and I speak for all of the blog community here – go out to Rob, Alison and all who knew and loved Gwendoline.
Gwendoline Bird (nee Phillips)
17th May 1929 – 12th June 2019
Widow of Bob Bird, Mother of Alison and Robert
Much loved Mother-in-Law, Nanny and Great Nan
Born in Walsall Wood and lately living at Knaves Court in Brownhills
There’s a community litter pick event taking place in Brownhills this weekend on Sunday afternoon, 23rd June 2019 from 2 until 4pm – and all are welcome. All kit will be provided!
Every bit helps! Image from the event Facebook page.
This is being run by local lady Kathryn Grace and a band of volunteers for the benefit of the community, so it’ll be a worthwhile event to get involved with and help improve the local environment.
Kathryn said:
It’s almost time for a summer spruce up! So take a hold of your community spirit and join us for a litter pick around the beautiful canal, Brownhills High Street and surrounding area.
Add your name to the list. Do come and meet your neighbours, bring along your children and let’s ‘Make Brownhills Great Again’.
Clean & Green will provide pickers, vests, gloves and bags.
Meet at ther lower car park near the Green Bridge.
The inimitable soul DJ Leekie has been in touch to let me know that he’s DJing his regular Soultime event at Pelsall Community Centre next Friday evening, 21st June 2019 at Pelsall Community Centre, where he and a number of great soul pals will be fulfilling all your Northern Soul and Motown requirements.
I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t like a bit of classic soul and Leekie is a great DJ for a wonderful night. A two-room event, it also features Stevie T, Vernon Smith, Pat Ward, Rob Edgar, Alan Wigley and of course, Leekie!
It’s just £5 a head (payable o the door) and kicks off at 8pm and runs until Midnight. What’s not to love?
That’s Pelsall Community Centre, Station Rd, Pelsall, Walsall WS3 4BQ. See you there?
I was really charmed and pleased to see Irene Hodges, the Chasewater Swan Lady, on Midlands Today yesterday evening (Monday, 17th June 2018) – you can see the item in the clip above. Turn your sound up.
Irene, you’ll remember, looks after and feeds the huge number of swans at Chasewater, as well as monitoring the flock and helping any in need of attention.
It’s a good time to repeat her appeal for help posted a couple of years ago, too.
Irene said:
Hi Bob
I do care so much for the swans as you know. But they have not had any natural food (pond weed or stone wort) for four years and bread really isn’t good but it keeps them from going hungry.
So we buy mixed chicken corn and in winter lay pellets.
It only grows in the shallow part of water. So recent works have caused a shortage.
Sans Brett helps me and a few others, but anyone else who can help is welcome.
Thank you for your time.
Irene
We all love the birds and if you can donate, or if you have surplus bird feed you don’t need, please comment here or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
Cheers for your help. Irene and her husband Barrie are a wonderful couple who work hard to look after the wildlife out of their own pockets, so any help would be most welcome.
Irene and her husband are out in all weathers to feed their grateful charges.
Just a heads up to let folk know that there’s a popular and regular autism support group meeting in Brownhills every Tuesday lunchtime from 1:30-2:30pm at the Smithy’s Forge pub, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, just off the Miner Island.
For parents, carers, etc. of children and adults with autism.
Weekly support group every Tuesday at the Smithys Forge, Brownhills 1:30-2:30 🌈
The group has been running for a few months now and is growing in popularity – so why not pop along to see what it’s all about?
Long term readers will remember the annual music and fun festival that’s taken place on the smallholding just off the A5 at Newtown, Brownhills – formerly called Cockfest (because it took place on a chicken farm), now renamed and revitalised as A5 Live.
This year the music, entertainment and fun returns, and takes place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th August 2019, and tickets are now on sale. It promises to be the biggest and best yet!
When I have details of bands playing and other attractions, I’ll post them here.
A5 Live – the summer festival on your doorstep.
An unforgettable crowd, fantastic live bands, the amazing Humbuckers Licensed Bar, plus fantastic food vendors.
This is the 3rd year of A5 Live and the bands will be announced soon, the charity is Dementia Awareness and Livewire are headlining Friday night and a Foo fighters Tribute are headlining Saturday night.
With the weather improving there’s a lovely event this afternoon, Sunday 16th June 2019 – Ann Astbury-Pemberton’s gorgeous open garden event in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
For a donation you get to see a stunning large garden with remarkable and beautiful flowers and shrubs, there’s a tombola, raffle, refreshments and plant sales, and of course the chance to experience something that’s quintessentially British.
It opened from 10:30am until late and all are welcome, so what’s not to love?
I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol.
The Patrol are there right now – this and every Sunday from 1-3pm and have bird books, binoculars and a wealth of knowledge to share – so why not join them? There’s so much more local wildlife than people think!
The reserve is by the pools on Stubbers Green Road, between Aldridge and Shelfield.
Ann Lawrence of the Swan Patrol said:
Do you want to know more about nature and wildlife?
Stubbers Green Nature Reserve Aldridge Swan Patrol every Sunday 1-3pm
Lollipops and stickers for children that bring good healthy bird foods. Sweet corn, lettuce, porridge oats, branflakes, cornflakes, vegetable peelings, bird seed.
We have binoculars and bird books available to use.
I notice that this Sunday, 16th June 2019, there’s a rather fun looking Experience the 1940s event being staged at Chasewater Railway – just the thing to treat the old fella to on Fathers day.
The fair runs from 10am until 5pm at Brownhills West Station (Use the Chasewater main entrance from the A5 and Pool Road) and there will be entertainment from the Bluebird Belles and others, vintage ephemera stalls, food and drink. the noted tea rooms and of course the wonderful atmosphere provided by a working preserved steam railway.
To be clear, as I understand it the price is for train rides: The event at the station is free to enter as usual.
The organisers said:
Experience the 1940s at Chasewater Railway this Father’s day!
Music, entertainment, vintage vehicles, re-enactors and of course Train rides through the beautiful Chasewater Country Park. Fun for all the family!
The whole thing is staffed by helpful and friendly volunteers who are always ready to chat and talk about the railway and rolling stock.
At Brownhills west station there are also a lovely model railway, plus a couple of great vintage and collectible stalls. The railway itself has a shop selling books, rail models, toys and other merchandise.
You can check their website here – trains run this and every weekend from 11am to 4pm with the museum, cafes and stations open earlier.
This Saturday 8th June 2019 if you’ve go older kids why not try the PEPA Active Sports Club at Brownhills Community Centre from 10am-11am?
It’s suitable for kids from 6-11 years old and there’s all manner of fun stuff going on – Dodgeball, Archery, Nerf Wars – just £3 per week per kid.
See you there?
🌟 Saturday 8th June 🌟 🌟 Brownhills Community Centre and The Lamp 🌟 🌟 £3 per session 🌟 🌟 Bring a friend and get the next session free 🌟 🌟 6 – 11 year olds 🌟 🌟 Come and have a go on our smoothie bike🚲🌟 🌟10 am – 11am 🌟
If you’ve a child or children under 4 years of age, there is a great Stay and Play session running at Brownhills Community Centre in the heart of Brownhills this Saturday morning 15th June 2019 from 10-11:30am.
It costs just two quid per kid and includes fruit and a drink, so it’s great value and it’s run by those wonderful people at the Little Green Dragons Nursery, who are resident at the centre and are fully qualified nursery teachers.
There are games and toys and all manner of fun for the weans – and you get a break to boot.
Saturday 15th June 2019
Playdough & Pasta tuff tray play🦠🦠🦠🦠 – We will be exploring different sizes, shapes and textures whilst creating your very unique pieces of art with Playdough and pasta 🧐🎨
Our creative table will be card making for the very special Father’s Day
Sandtray will be open and accessible as it is every week 👍🏼
… along with all our other areas of play within the nursery setting :
• home corner • construction • small world • maths area • cosy book/music area • baby sensory area
See you all Saturday ….
Fingers crossed the sun has her hat on ☀️☀️☀️we will be outdoors also which is loved by all every single week 🌈🌈🌈
10.00am-11.30am £2 per child Snack included feel free to invite your friends with children aged 0-4 years and share our events
This group is held at Little Green Dragons Day Nursery every Saturday morning …
The Community Centre is what my generation would know as ‘The Annexe’ – the old Central Boy’s School, now a bustling community resource. To find out more, you can pop in or call them on 01543 452119.
The Community Association have lots of stuff going on, and loads of great facilities, right in the heart of Brownhills. I love what they’re about and all the great things they’re doing.
Also, there’s this event going on at Walsall Tesco Saturday 15th June 2019 (Tomorrow at the time of posting) – all in aid of Acorns Hospicin Walsall, which as you’ll know by now is threatened with closure.
There will be nail painting, a cake sale, tombola and all kinds of fun.
Please do pop in and support the fundraisers – it’s such an important cause.
With the weather improving for the weekend (hopefully) there’s a lovely event this Sunday 16th June 2019 – Ann Astbury-Pemberton’s gorgeous open garden event in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
For a donation you get to see a stunning large garden with remarkable and beautiful flowers and shrubs, there’s a tombola, raffle, refreshments and plant sales, and of course the chance to experience something that’s quintessentially British.
It runs from 10:30am until late and all are welcome, so what’s not to love?
Never one to sit back and let life pass her by, that there Kate Cardigan from the wonderful Lichfield Lore is involved with the excellent Lichfield Repair Cafe project – which continues it’s regular residency this coming Saturday afternoon (Saturday 15th June 2019) at Curborough Community Centre, Lichfield from 2pm until 5pm.
Kate, who’s more usually known for her excellent work with Lichfield local history group, Lichfield Discovered and other projects, started a community initiative to help people repair, recycle and put back to good use things that my be broken or need some love.
This looks like a great way to have fun, meet up with other like minded folk and also learn some new skills.
If you’re unsure where to find Curborough Community Centere, check out their contact page here, and the address for twatnav wranglers is 37, Reynolds Close, Lichfield Ws13 7NY.
I’ll let Kate explain:
Hello!
The Lichfield Repair & Share cafe meets again at Curborough Community Centre on Saturday 18th May 2019 between 2pm and 5pm. As a way of reducing waste whilst learning new skills, we have a team of volunteer repairers on hand to show people how to try and mend their broken or damaged items, rather than throw them away.
Bring your broken household items along to see if our team of volunteer repairs can help you fix them! As well as the repairs, we’ll also be running two fab free workshops – how to grow your own veg & making a fabric flower brooch. Or just pop in for a chat & a brew! All welcome, no charge but voluntary donations welcome 🙂
Volunteers from the centre will be running a cafe with hot and cold drinks and cakes. Whilst there is no charge, voluntary donations are appreciated!
Also this month, if you feel like YOU need a bit of repairing then your luck is in! There will be some free 15 min taster Shiatsu (traditional Japanese massage) slots, thanks to Sarah Holder https://t.co/CIYfB0H4lZ.
The cafe will be taking place at Curborough on the 3rd Saturday of every month and we are always looking for more people to get involved whether they want to offer their skills as a repairer or run a workshop. To find our more information, or to volunteer, please email lichfieldshare@gmail.com, join the group’s Facebook page Lichfield Repair Café or follow us on Twitter @lichfieldshare.
Just a heads up to let folk know that there’s a popular and regular autism support group meeting in Brownhills every Tuesday lunchtime from 1:30-2:30pm at the Smithy’s Forge pub, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, just off the Miner Island.
For parents, carers, etc. of children and adults with autism.
Weekly support group every Tuesday at the Smithys Forge, Brownhills 1:30-2:30 🌈
The group has been running for a few months now and is growing in popularity – so why not pop along to see what it’s all about?
Sandfields Pumping Station – a great historic building with immense history and social significance – not just to Lichfield, but to the Black Country. Lichfield Discovered and local historian Dave Moore have saved this valuable asset for the community.
Sandfields Pumping Station champion and public historian extraordinaire Dave Moore has been in touch to let me know that this evening, Monday 10th June 2019 there will be the monthly Public Meeting of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust charity, formerly the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station group.
The meeting is at the Bowling Green pub, Lichfield from 7:30pm and is of course open to anyone interested.
Dave wrote:
Lichfield Waterworks Trust May Newsletter
The next public meeting of Lichfield Waterworks Trust will take place on: Monday 1o June 2019 at 7.30pm, in the rear meeting room of the:
The Bowling Green Friary Road Lichfield Staffordshire WS13 6QJ
Tel: 01543 257344
The Bowling Green serves some great food and real ales.
The trustees continue to work on the heads of terms for the lease. It is important to get this part of the process right at the start, to avoid later complications.
The trustees hope you have the heads of terms completed by mid-June.
We see May as another month of significant progress, we would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support.
Important Note:
After the visit by Historic England on 16 Jan, the site has unfortunately been placed on the Heritage At Risk Register.
This is indeed sad news to see that this magnificent piece of industrial heritage is now officially at risk of permanent loss.
The trust is committed to continue working with the owner, Persimmon Homes Ltd to find a sustainable solution that will bring this building and its historic contents aback into a community use.
Tonight’s Talk
Following on from last months splendid talk from Alan Hill of the engineering team,exploring Water as a Mechanical Agent – the many forms of water power, Richard Green our electrical engineer will be talking about the Tram systems of Staffordshire and the Black Country.
The talk will explore the various Tram operators that have worked the streets of Staffordshire and the Black Country. From the northern tip of the county Stoke on Trent to the furthest corner, Kinver and as far as Burton on Trent. The different operators involved and their success or failure in providing a transport system across Staffordshire and the Black Country
Richard’s talks are always interesting and innovating, this is certainly another one not to miss.
Health and Safety
We are really pleased to report that we have been working for yet another month where there have been no incidents relating to health and safety. A very big thank you again to everyone for working safely and looking after your fellow volunteers.
Engine Team Report
The Engine Team have made some significant progress this month.
The “difficult to reach” parts of the engine, at the cylinder-end, now have scaffolding in order to access them for cleaning and the team have wasted no time in getting stuck in.
Another job was to free off the valves and ensure that they are all in place. There is a story going around that one of the inlet valves had been taken and used on the Moor’s Gorse Cornish Pumping Engine. These engines were unfortunately two of the last Cornish beam engines ever to be scrapped. Fortunately, it was not the case.
A sigh of relief, the valves are still complete.
Some careful restoration works is need on the inlet valve stem.
Peter Ellis is an amazing photographer and was able to photograph the engines at Moor’s Gorse before they were lost.
Work continues cleaning and lacquering the teak cladding on the ground floor level of the cylinder, the upper part of which may also be difficult to complete without scaffolding. The teak cladding and banding on the middle floor can be cleaned and lacquered once chequer plate cleaning, on this floor, has been completed.
The building team continue to make steady progress. The focus has been to improve the welfare facilities onsite.
The work on the one toilet to convert it to a washing area with a sink and drainer, improving the welfare facilities to benefit all visitors is almost complete.
Electrical Supply
Work continues in preparing the wring system for the new power supply.
Mains cables have now been installed, with the remaining connections still to be made. Contractors surveyors and engineers have been on-site to assess the final connection works. There are some issues relating to how and where the entry point is located for the connection that require further clarification. Our engineers have a clear plan on how this could be made to work safely.
Hopefully, electrical power will be available soon.
3D Walkthrough
Dudley Technical College has been extremely kind in producing a 3D Walkthrough for the trust. This is an amazing piece of work that not only showcases the site, it also provides an opportunity to those who are unable to visit the site or climb the stairs
History West Midlands have produced a stunning podcast titled – Making Cholera History in the Black Country.
Presented by writer and broadcaster Graham Fisher and Directed by Andy Partington, featuring David Moore, the podcast gives a detailed history of both Sandfields pumping Station and the story of clean water.
The archive and research team are continuing with their sterling work preserving and cataloguing the historic artefacts left on site. Lists of water quality documents, tables, customer complaints and numerous other documents have been carefully and skilfully sorted, catalogued and stored. Their efforts are now bearing fruit as the extraordinary story of clean water unfolds, waiting to be told.
“The heritage of the modern water industry is almost entirely absent despite its unarguable relevance to human development.”
J. Douet
Donations
With over 2,500 volunteer working hours, (equates to more than two full time equivalents) and over £14,000 spent in cleaning equipment, materials and scaffold over the last two years. This month has seen quite a drain on our bank balance with invoices for the viability study and scaffolding landing on the desk. Looking at the engine now, as opposed to how it looked in 2016, the volunteers have made some remarkable progress.
We will also always invest in our people and we are planning further training days soon. All these costs soon mount up, so if you can donate, then please visit our donation page here.
Any amount is helpful, is well appreciated and will be carefully spent preserving our industrial past for our future generations, developing skills for our people and making our community a better place.
Please make cheques payable to; Lichfield Waterworks Trust, and send to our address:
22 Walsall Road Lichfield WS13 8AB
Membership
We would like this opportunity to welcome a few new members.
Thank you for joining the Lichfield Waterworks Trust. We hope you will enjoy your membership and become part of a very exciting heritage project that will benefit the people, the place and the community.
It would really help us if we develop and grow our membership. If you are not already a member and would you like to be a part of one of the region’s most exciting heritage projects then please, join us now by filling in Membership Application Form by going to our membership page here. It is free to join and be a part of this incredibly exciting project.
Finally
Thank you everyone for your continued support and helping to make a difference in our community. We hold work days every Friday between 10:00 and 12:00pm, please feel free to pop in a see us, we make everyone welcome and have free tea and coffee!
It’s great to see people like Dave encourage a better attitude to our historic buildings -please do attend if you’re able, it’s sure to be enlightening and educational.
There are a selection of articles that David Evans has spotted in the huge Gerald Reece collection that have really interested me and are very much worth a share – they are from a very much lost local history book by noted author and historian Ned Williams about local cinemas, and give the most complete history I’ve ever seen of the picture houses of the area – including Brownhills.
Published in 1984 and sold for £1.95: Now changing hands for more than £30. Que sera.
The following article (and ones to come) are all from a book I’ve never managed to obtain a copy of, and I last saw change hands for upwards of £30: ‘The Cinemas of Aldridge and Brownhills’ by Ned Williams, published in 1984. Gerald had kept copies of the articles and I feature the first here, about The Palace Cinema in Brownhills.
The Palace in Brownhills (I believe, but have a feeling I may be very wrong…) stood on the High Street just at the Church Road Junction, about where the Natwest Bank used to be, where Specsavers is now; it’s not to be confused with the Palace in Walsall Wood (‘The Blood Tub’), more of which later.
Corrections welcome and received with embarrassment.
The book was published by Uralia Press, of 28 Westland Road Wolverhampton with the ISBN of 0 946406 07 3 – do get a copy if you can. I pay tribute here to the immense cannon of work by Ned Williams, a truly remarkable author and researcher.
Ned wrote:
THE PALACE, BROWNHILLS
The Palace, Brownhills, presumably taken on 10th October 1924. The wooden facade hid the corrugated iron auditorium from view. The operating box is presumably above the entrance. (Collection of the late Wally Davies)
Like many other communities, the people of Brownhills first saw films in the travelling ‘bioscopes’ of the fairground. At least two showmen introduced the excitement of the new medium to local people in the area at the beginning of the twentieth century. One was a Mr. Twigden who erected a tent at the annual November ‘wake’ to present films. Some of the travelling showmen later settled down in the cinema business, and this will be clearly demonstrated in the history of Brownhills cinemas.
The first cinema to be provided for the people of Brownhills was the Palace. The man who was behind the Palace was Sidney Bray, later joined by his brother-in-law, Wally Davies. Later they took over the Regent so it is worth clearly establishing who they were.
Sidney Bray came from a business family established in Dudley. As the Cinematograph Act came into force in 1910 and premises in which films were to be shown had to be properly licensed for the purpose, it seems that Sidney Bray was already thinking that it would be an interesting business venture. He started showing films at the Drill Hall, Halesowen as from 30th January 1911, and, about the same time, showed films at the Temperance Hall, Langley. It may even have been Sidney’s marriage to Flossie Davies that introduced him to ‘showbusiness’. The Davies’ were Netherton brewers and Wally’s father was licensee of the Criterion Public House in the centre of Dudley in the early years of this century. Music Hall entertainment and probably early bioscope film shows took place at the Criterion. Wally Davies himself did not seem to place cinema-proprietorship high in his priorities. He was born in 1891, and in his teens seemed more interested in a technical career. He assisted Sidney Bray at Halesowen, and from 1913 onwards took responsibility for running the shows at Langley but his inventive mind was more concerned with designing and building aircraft. He left the area during the First World War to work in this sphere.
The mystery is: what made Sidney Bray turn his attention to Brownhills? Possibly practical and financial limitations determined Sidney Bray’s choice of sites, but it meant that his ‘circuit’ was remote and far-flung from his home in Dudley. (In 1915 he managed to establish himself in Dudley itself by taking over the Criterion, which, after the War, he rebuilt on a grand scale.)
Unlike Sidney Bray’s operations at Langley and Halesowen, it seems that in Brownhills he had to build a purpose-built cinema, rather than rent an existing hall or convert an existing building. The Palace was built to a pattern adopted by many other early cinemas. A timber frame was clad and roofed in corrugated iron and the interior walls were wood. It was slightly set back from the main road and its wooden facade, as seen in the 1924 photograph, had a certain sense of style’about it. There was no balcony but the seats at the back of the auditorium were on a raked floor separated from the cheaper seats by a step. Like other cinemas of the time, the Palace generated its own electricity from a gas engine behind the building. Sometimes films were accompanied by the sound of rain on the roof and the thump of the gas engine, as well as the orchestra.
Sidney Bray: the cinema magnate from Dudley who, for some unknown reason, ventured out to Brownhills to build the Palace.
The Palace opened on Monday 23rd December 1912, a fact recorded in the diary of a local resident. No other details of the opening seem to be recorded. In distant Walsall the local paper did not mention the event. Thus the precious details of the history of small local cinemas is now very difficult to reconstruct. Local people remember some of the films, the children’s matinees, and, above alt, the people associated with the cinema.
In those far off silent days the musical accompaniment to the film was provided at the Palace by the Jones Brothers: Len on the cello, Sam on the violin and Fred at the piano. Len Jones, the youngest of the three, died recently at the age of 83: the last survivor of the cinema’s trio. Len and Sam could also sing and were thus able to provide a singing act when the Palace began to include Variety in its programmes about two years after opening. Fred Jones married Miss Nancy Doricott who worked in the pay box. Harry Russell, whose name is associated at one time or another with each of the four cinemas described in this booklet, first encountered the cinema business at the Palace. As a boy he used to turn the pages of Fred’s piano music for 6d a week.
At one time the Palace was managed by Mr. and Mrs. Beckett. They had come to Brownhills as an act appearing at the Wakes. As Lightning Charley and Starlight Nell they performed an act with whips and lassos. For some reason they decided to crack cigarettes from volunteers’ mouths with the whip no more and settled in Brownhills to work at the Palace. They occasionally performed the act for the Variety shows, and, in fact, may have been responsible for bringing Variety to the Palace. Another retired travelling showman, a Mr. Norsden, left his booth of distorting mirrors to run the cinema but disappeared in mysterious circumstances – perhaps suggesting to Sidney Bray that the cinema needed stronger personal supervision at proprietorial level. In the great tradition of early cinemas the operators came in for a lot of catcalls and abuse when the film frequently broke. Two operators seem to be remembered from the early silent days : Jessie Shrigley and Joey Clegg.
In 1924 Wally Davies became Sidney Bray’s partner in owning and running the Palace. It was a time when Sidney Bray was very pre-occupied with his new Criterion in Dudley, and expansion in Halesowen. Whether these matters were the cause or not, the Palace at Brownhills seems to have been left very much to Wally Davies. It seems that Wally may even have brought his own parents into the day to day business of running the place. Such economies became even more important when the Regent opened in 1928.
In the rivalry that developed between the Palace and the Regent, the acquisition of sound was particularly important. The Palace adopted a fairly primitive sound system straight away, with each reel of film mechanically synchronised with a disc on the gramophone. This was replaced after a further brief period of silence, with Warner Brothers’ Vitaphone system that enabled the Palace to bring many of the well known early silent films to Brownhills. The Regent opted for the sound-on-film system and their rivalry took the form of a battle between the two systems. By the mid 30’s, when both cinemas used the sound-on-film system, the Palace had adopted the Melotone system. There was no room to add a horn room at the back of the Palace and speakers had to be mounted on the wall on either side of the screen, and an additional one above it. By 1932 the rivalry ceased to exist for another reason : Sidney Bray and Wally Davies became the joint owners of the Regent.
For a time Wally Davies and Sidney Bray ran both the Regent and the Palace. The day-to-day supervision of both places was in the hands of Jack Turner, who moved into a house by the Regent. Jack Turner had taken on this job after an accident in the colliery and originally only had the Palace to worry about. About 1936 he was joined by fourteen-year-old Tom Bridgen who had left school to become a full-time worker at the Palace and Regent, doing all kinds of jobs around the cinema, including trying to stoke a very inaccessible boiler at the back of the building. He assisted Joseph Clegg in the operating box and later assisted Charlie Turner at the Regent. Ironically he left the Regent when cinemas were temporarily closed at the outbreak of War, but after only nine days in a factory he realised his heart was in the cinema business. (His subsequent career took Tom Bridgen to the operating boxes at the Forum, Caldmore Green, to the Avion, Aldridge and finally to the Dale, Willenhall where he was made redundant when that cinema closed, along with the Avion, at the end of 1967.)
Wally Davies: the enigmatic inventor, aviator, and hydraplane-builder who joined his brother-in-law in the cinema business at Halesowen, Langley and, ultimately, Brownhills.
For a while during the 1930’s the Palace closed altogether during the summer months when there was only enough trade to fill the Regent. During the winters it opened for 3 days a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) which enabled three programmes a week to be presented in Brownhills: two at the Regent, one at the Palace. It also enabled the staff at the Palace to give its original rubber screen a fresh coat of whitewash each Saturday night, knowing it would be dry and ‘good-as-new’ by the next Thursday.
The final demise of the Palace is obscure. It enjoyed one reprise while the Regent was being rebuilt in 1938, when it opened for six days a week once more. No doubt it suffered summer closure again in 1939 and by the following winter the War was underway. One night a heavy fall of snow caused the roof to collapse and it seems that it was no longer worthwhile repairing the ‘Tin Tabernacle’ and thus it was closed completely. It has proved impossible, so far, to date the final show.
If you have any thoughts or questions on the Palace or any other cinema in Brownhills, please do share them – comment here, find me on social media or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.
Gerald and Cherry Reece: on whose shoulders all my work here stands. Image kindly supplied by David Evans.
Do you remember the Beddows family of the Hussey Estate and Walsall Wood? Image from Apple Maps.
I’ve had a very interesting enquiry from Emma Mills who’s working on her family history which involves a family that were resident in Walsall Wood and the Hussey Estate just before World War Two.
I thank Emma for a very interesting enquiry – she wrote:
Hello Bob
I’m looking for some assistance in finding information of some of my ancestors.
The Beddows were originally from Walsall Wood and Hussey Road, Brownhills area which I know was where they were in 1939.
Lily Beddow I believe was married to William Barnard and their daughters were Hilda Beddow and Eliza Barnard.
I note that since it’s a decent day it would be an excellent chance to nip up to Stubbers Green with the kids, grandkids of even just by yourself and chat to the Swan Patrol.
The Patrol are there right now – this and every Sunday from 1-3pm and have bird books, binoculars and a wealth of knowledge to share – so why not join them? There’s so much more local wildlife than people think!
The reserve is by the pools on Stubbers Green Road, between Aldridge and Shelfield.
Ann Lawrence of the Swan Patrol said:
Do you want to know more about nature and wildlife?
Stubbers Green Nature Reserve Aldridge Swan Patrol every Sunday 1-3pm
Lollipops and stickers for children that bring good healthy bird foods. Sweet corn, lettuce, porridge oats, branflakes, cornflakes, vegetable peelings, bird seed.
We have binoculars and bird books available to use.
No Stay and play this Saturday 8th June 2019 as Stacey is on holiday! But if you’ve go older kids why not try the PEPA Active Sports Club at Brownhills Community Centre from 10amn-11am?
It’s suitable for kids from 6-11 years old and there’s all manner of fun stuff going on – Dodgeball, Archery, Nerf Wars – just £3 per week per kid.
See you there?
🌟 Saturday 8th June 🌟 🌟 Brownhills Community Centre and The Lamp 🌟 🌟 £3 per session 🌟 🌟 Bring a friend and get the next session free 🌟 🌟 6 – 11 year olds 🌟 🌟 Come and have a go on our smoothie bike🚲🌟 🌟10 am – 11am 🌟
You could join with great folks like these to restore our history! Image from Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust.
Just a quick note to point out that the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust are holding their Annual General Meeting tonight, Friday nevening (Friday, 7th June 2019) at 7:15pm in Brownhills, at the Parkview Centre (the old Council House on the Miner Island), and all are welcome to attend.
There will also be a talk from Peter Walker of the Canal and River Trust after the meeting – Peter is Technical Support head and responsible for many engineering aspects of our canals – including also their interaction with HS2.
If you’ve been thinking about supporting the trust or volunteering, this is a great way to find out more about them and what they do. You can find out more about volunteering on the project from this excellent blog post by Christine Howles.
The Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust wrote of the meeting:
Our 29th Annual General Meeting will be held at Park View Centre, Chester Road North, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 7JB on
Friday 7th June 2019 at 7.15 pm.
1. Apologies.
2. Minutes of the 28th Annual General Meeting 8th June 2018.
3. Matters Arising.
4. Directors’ Reports.
5. Treasurer’s Report and Presentation of Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2018.
6. Chairman’s Report.
7. Election of Directors:
(a) Directors retiring by rotation and eligible to stand for re-election:
Peter Buck, Stefan Szulc and Bob Williams.
(b) Directors co-opted during the year and nominated by Council for election: None
(c) Any other nominations received: None.
8. Appointment of Accounts Examiner.
9. Any Other Business.
10. Close of formal business.
11. Guest Speaker:
Peter Walker, Head of Technical Support at Canal & River Trust. Peter is responsible for the Canal and River Trust’s interaction with HS2, its restoration and hydrology activities, waterway acquisitions and the CRT team which secure funding from external partners.
After the AGM, tea and biscuits will be served with an opportunity to view displays and sales material.
If you want to find out more, you can get in touch with the Trust on Twitter @LHCRT1, on Facebook or on their website.
Many of the current scams operating are very convincing indeed – warn your relatives about courier fraud and to to give away information, no matter how authoritative the caller sounds. Image from iStockphoto
I’ve become aware over the last few days that phone scammers are targeting the local area once more – and are employing a number of methods, including courier fraud and impersonating tax officials – please warn your elderly and vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.
West Midlands Police wrote:
Courier Fraud, Bogus Police and Bank Officials Alert What you need to know
Individuals have been receiving phone calls from people claiming to be a police officer or banking official
The suspect will say either: There has been fraudulent activity at the victims’ bank and the staff at the bank are involved, the victim is then asked to withdraw money to either keep it safe or assist the police with their investigation.
A business such as a jewellers or currency exchange is fraudulent and they require the victims’ assistance to help secure evidence by purchasing jewellery or exchange a large amount of currency to hand over to the police.
The victims’ card has been compromised and used to purchase goods by a suspect, the victim is requested to withdraw their money to keep it safe or hand over their bank card to the police
Occasionally the victim will be told to dial a non-emergency extension of ‘161’ to receive confirmation of the individual’s bogus identity, the bogus official will advise the victim to lie about the reason for the withdrawal or purchase if challenged by staff, as the staff member is involved in the fraud.
A courier attends the victim’s home address to collect the goods the same day Often the victim is given a code word for the courier as a way of authentication
Your bank or the police will never:
Phone and ask you for your PIN or full banking password.
Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping.
Ask you to transfer money out of your account.
Send someone to your home to collect cash, PINs, cards or cheque books.
For more information about how to protect yourself online visit
tell your relatives and neighbours about these scams, and impress upon them how important it is not to give away dpersonal details on the phone to cold callers. If in doubt, get details, call companies back and have someone else check them out before making any kind of payment for anything.
Explain that no official body will turn up at your door or call you demanding money – least of all the police.
Please, if you have any further information relating to the operation of this con or if you or someone you know as been targeted, please contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 (999 in an emergency, obviously) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that this Sunday (June 9th 2019), the fifth Staffordshire Ironman 70.3 Triathlon will be staged, with a 1.2 mile early morning swim in Chasewater being amongst the highlights
IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire consists of a 1.2-mile swim in Chasewater reservoir and a 56-mile bike course through the stunning countryside outside Lichfield, Burton-upon-Trent, and across Cannock Chase area of outstanding natural beauty. The 13.1-mile run will start at Riverway, take athletes in and around the Stafford Town Centre before finishing in Market Square.
As a result of this Caccess to Chasewater will be limited on both Saturday and Sunday:
Chasewater Country Park and Pool Lane will be closed to vehicles on Saturday 9 June 08:00-18:00 and Sunday 10 June 04:00 – 10:00.
Pedestrians can access the Park at all times. A shuttle bus service will be operating on Sunday between Chasewater and Holland Park car park on both days.
The routes affected around Chasewater. Image from the Ironman website. Click for a larger version.
IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire have produced road closure maps with information for local residents to be aware of the safety closures which take place on the Sunday morning of the race. This should allow residents to plan their travel and minimise any impact from the event on their own plans. This may involve using alternative routes over the event weekend or adjusting journey times slightly.
Access for Emergency Services will be maintained at all times
A quick note to those same faces who every Ironman mail me, message me and otherwise complain about the early morning disturbance in the locality: Sorry, but I can’t fix it, can’t help and I fully support the event. The inconvenience is one day a year, relatively minor and over in a few hours.
Why not go watch it, or take the opportunity to get up early and go somewhere else?
A sigh of relief, the valves are still complete.
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