Well, that’s a few parish notices sorted out, so we can get on with a bit of history – and a great enquiry has come in from well-respected community elder Doug Birch MBE who has posed a number of really interesting questions about Holland Park, the Black Path and The Parade.
An early postcard of the bottom of the Parade, looking toward Watling Street and the back of the Hussey Arms. Note footpath on one side only and the rough nature of the road. Image from ‘Memories of Old Brownhills’ by Clarice Mayo and Geof Harrington.
Without further ado, here’s the mail I had from David:
Hi Bob
A plea for help from a very respected member of the community.
I have had a wonderful telephone conversation with Mr Douglas Birch MBE this morning in which the following queries have been raised. Please can your readers and researchers help to answer them
1. When was the Parade ( the road that runs from Chester Road to Watling Street in Brownhills) built and opened? Who built the Parade?
2. When were the lines of magnificent trees planted along the Parade, near to the Chester Road?
3. When was the Black Path in its present form laid out? ( This path runs from near the library, crosses the common and leads to the Watling Street, near the Comprehensive School, I think….Is this an old way or a new path?
4. Half way along the Parade was the cricket field. Mr Birch recalls there being an old cottage near the entrance to the cricket field..by some sort of a track?
5. What was this track?
6. When was the Band stand built… and demolished?
With my sincere thanks and kind regards David
These are corkers and thanks to Doug for asking, and to David too for typing them up – where to start?
This turn of the century 1:1,250 mapping shows no Parade as such, but several routes over the common, one, closest to the current road, appearing to be on some sort of embankment. The origins of the Black Patch can be seen too. Mapping from the NLS Archive; click for a large version.
It has been said (and I’m hoping for help here) that The Parade followed the line of an early coal tramway. Is there any proof of that? There certainly wasn’t evidence of much of a road there on early mapping.
The trees – that fine avenue – I remember being saplings as a child; I remember when we had the cold winters in the 1970s the council used to erect a length of willow fencing on that grass as a snow-break.
Firemen practice hose drill in front of the bandstand at Holland Park in this evocative 1970s picture kindly shared by Godfrey Hucker. The building behind the fire engine was Brownhills town morgue.
I think the bandstand went in the 1990s but a remnant of it still remains, visible in the back wall of the toilets in Holland Park.
If you can help with any of these questions, it would make Doug a very happy man indeed – so please contribute if you know anything. Comment on this post, mail me or hit me up on social media.
The Junction of The Parade and Chester Road in Brownhills. Early 1960s, I suspect; note the lack of the Fullelove shelter. There’s the Hussey Arms in the distance; on the left the row of houses demolished for the Police Station. Just out of shot on the left would be the Fire Station. Image from a postcard for sale on eBay by GuyArab, spotted by reader Dean Rogers.
Could anyone who’s friends with or related to Brownhills resident Mr. Sam Bennett please message Paula Horton (on Facebook here) please, or call John Horton on 07970678618. It’s quite important.
Very late notice of something this evening (Saturday 19th January 2019) at Brownhills Community Centre on the Miner Island in Brownhills – a singalong showing of the feel good Abba-inspired film hit ‘Mama Mia! Here we go again’ in a relaxed, fun environment that everyone will love.
As it’s too cold for me glasses to steam up, it must be foggy out there. The 10 day forecast ain’t looking too grand either…
For a reminder of what that lucky old sun looks like, get yourself along to our special sing-along showing of this family favourite at the Lamp on Saturday 19th January 2019. Popcorn will be available.
Tickets from the website or drop into the office. You’ll be sure of a warm welcome as we’re putting the heating on.
Tickets available online at the link below (no fees) or from 01453 452119.
If you haven’t yet visited The Lamp for a show, you really are missing out; it’s a wonderfully modern and intimate community theatre with a wonderful atmosphere operated by a lovely community of dedicated folk, located in the old Annex or Brownhills Central Boys School right there on the Miner Island in Brownhills. You can find out more here.
Please ring the crew on 01543 452 119 if you have any queries or need any help or email: info@thelamparts.co.uk.
There’s loads going on at the Activity Centre on the Miner Island in Brownhills!
Lisa Taylor, one of the people who work hard to keep Clayhanger Community Centre a vital and well-loved resource for the village has been in touch to point out there’s children’s yoga on there late this afternoon (Saturday 19th January 2019), which looks like a great idea to me.
The session runs from 5-pm, and is for 7-14 year old boys and girls. Gear is provided and it’s just £4 a head. What’s not to love?
The volunteers at Clayhanger who work very hard indeed for nothing more than the love of their community deserve our support and respect and they’ve got some great stuff going on there – do pop down and check the place out.
The centre at Church Street – the former George and Dragon pub – provides excellent facilities and is a real asset to the community.
Clayhanger Community Centre is the former George and Dragon pub in Church Street, Clayhanger. Imagery from Apple Maps.
I’m very late with this but just time if you’re quick to catch the start-up event for the rebooted Friends of Chasewater group, which has taken on a new format to promote our favourite reservoir and country park.
I adore Chasewater, and I know many of the readers do too. It’s time it was promoted better – can you help?
There’s still time to pop to the Innovation Centre and find out what this is all about – and how you can help shape the future of the place and how it’s looked after.
The organisers said:
Chasewater Friends are holding a Launch Event on Saturday 19th January 2019.
10.30am – 12.30pm At Chasewater Innovation Centre.
We would love to meet you and chat about the group, its purpose and hopes, and hear your ideas and comments.
If you would like to join the Friends group, you can find out how!
There will be a short talk on the Park and its inhabitants, and free soup and a bread roll to keep you going!
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 19th January 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.
BROWNHILLS STAY&PLAY 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 Saturday 19th January 2019 We will exploring our gloop & powder paint messy play tray 🎨 Along with all our other areas of play within the nursery setting See you all Saturday …. 10.00-11.30 £2 per child Snack included Feel free to invite your friends with children aged 0-4 years and share our events … Thank you everyone hopefully see you Saturday 👍🏼 This group is held at Little Green Dragons Day Nursery every Saturday morning …
We also have spaces available within Little Green Dragons Nursery if you wanted to pop in and have a look around.
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 a ways off yet, but there’s a great football event for girls interested in football coming this spring to Walsall Wood – and the organisers are appealing for teams.
Walsall Wood FC has several female teams under its umbrella and have a keen following. They play great football and are very popular.
On the weekend of May 18th-19th 2019, there will be a Girls Festival of Football at Walsall Wood’s Oak Park ground featuring competitions in multiple age ranges.
The organisers said:
Girls Festival of Football – 18th/19th May 2019.
In the past 24 hours alone we’ve been inundated with requests for entry forms – don’t miss out!
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 Saturday (19th January 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 19th January 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.
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!
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.
During my daily bike ride on Sunday (which I’ve still yet to write up…) I rode along the cycleway that forms part of National Cycle Route 5 from Lichfield to Walsall where it goes on the old railway line between Engine Lane and the canal at The Slough (Or as I know it the Old Cement Works) Bridge in Brownhills.
It was dark, and it had been a very windy day – as it still was. While trundling through the gloom, my headlight picked out a fallen tree in the darkness.
This is one of the reasons I like a good front light! A surprise in the dark is often not fun…
The tree wasn’t massive, but it could do someone not expecting it a bit of damage. So I posted a warning on Facebook with the note that it was down, but passable with care.
Bugger me if the local Sustrans team didn’t hear about his and have the whole situation sorted the very next day!
How’s that for service?
They sent me the following via email:
Hit that bleary on a dark morning and it could be painful. Image supplied by Sustrans rangers/Back the Track.
Hello Brownhills Bob,
Thanks for the Facebook post about the fallen tree between Slough Bridge and Engine Lane last night. It’s a great Facebook page that’s invaluable to the community and it’s how we got to know about the fallen tree, so keep up the good work.
As that track is part of the Pelsall Rangers NCN 5 section (and also the Beacon Way), I figured we’d better sort it out today. I thought about reporting to WMBC but that’s never worked before, so decided to do it ourselves!
Anyway, it’s all sorted now, Paul from Back the Track and Bob from Sustrans went and cleared it from the track this morning.
Cheers for now…
Clear trail ahead! Fantastic work. Thank you. Image supplied by Sustrans rangers/Back the Track.
My huge thanks to Paul and Bob and all inviolved for sorting this out so promptly and effectively – this is real service and care for the community we live in and I can’t thank everyone involved in this enough.
This is all against the background of the Back the Track efforts to create a walking and cycling trail, intersecting with Route NCN 5 from where it currently leaves the old rail line in Pelsall to Brownhills, and eventually beyond to Lichfield.
Local DJ Peter Leek has been in touch to let me know that he’s DJing his semi-regular Soultime event at Pelsall Community Centre this Friday, 18th January 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 DJ Sammo, Double O Soul, Mick Oakdea and Gary Donelly.
It’s just £5 a head 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?
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 weeks now and is growing in popularity – so why not pop along to see what it’s all about?
Over the 2018/9 new year week just gone, I held a photo competition on the blog and Facebook group on the theme of winter/ Christmas or the general season, and I’m pleased to say I’ve had a wonderful response with over 130 entries!
Barring any corrections this is the final gallery from which the five winners and five runners up will be selected. Myself and fellow admins of the group – Linda Mason, Phil Griffin ad Richard Burnell plus honorary blog wise owl the young David Evans will each select a winner and a runner up – winners will be announced next weekend hopefully (19th-20th January – this may be subject to slight delay, however).
Spring and light will be here again soon….
If I’ve missed anyone out, my apologies – just contact me ASAP and I’ll add any I’ve overlooked. If you’ve messaged me any pictures on FB and I’ve missed them out, please ping me again – it’s a mare to find images in messages.
Thank you all so much for your gorgeous photos, patience and wonderful eye for the beautiful – there are some very talented readers out there!
Winners won’t necessarily be based on technical excellence or top flight equipment or skills – a wonky phone photo capturing something fun can be every bit as good as the carefully shot image by a pro. It’s about feel and intention.
Entries have been limited to one photo per person to make judging easier. I’m sorting out entries with readers who submitted multiple entries over the next couple of days and they’ll be added to the gallery as I do so.
Prizes are as ever, are funded out of my own pocket. The judges decision will be final. This is for enjoyment and good feeling.
The images below can all be viewed larger by clicking on them. If there’s an error, you spot a multiple entry or whatever, shout up. To err is human, to balls stuff up totally is my modus operandi.
If you’re looking for your image, use your browser’s search option is a good way. On a Mac that’s <option> & <F>.
Courtney has been found and feels very very silly I cannot begin to thank each and everyone of you for the help support and shares much love to you all
Thanks to all who went looking for her, delved deep on social media and shared and tweeted appeals. You’re all great, thank you!
Image posted on social media by Courtney’s family.
David was invited to pay the building a call – the second such visit he’s had in recent years, after being a pupil there when it was actually Walsall Wood School, way back in the 1950s. You can see a gallery of his first return to the building by clicking here.
He said:
Images kindly supplied by David Evans
I was delighted to be invited to see the new home for Walsall Wood Scouts, in the beautifully refurbished and redecorated former Junior School building by Oak Park, Walsall Wood, today, January 5th, 2019.
The building itself brought back many memories of time spent there when I was a pupil, a long time ago.
I congratulate the Brownhills Community Association on the beautiful restoration and I wish the Scouts every success as they settle in .
David January 2019
Thanks to David for the pictures and report. I’m always happy to support the Scouts locally and Lee does fantastic work with the kids.
This excellent Scout group are always ready to welcome new members and adult volunteers.
They are very active and organise lots of varied activities for youngsters from 6-18, boys and girls.
1st Walsall Wood Scout Group are currently welcoming new members. Girls and boys aged 6+ are very welcome. New adult volunteers are also encouraged in order to provide places for more young people.
There’s been some interest online lately about local cricket clubs in Brownhills and Walsall Wood which many men of a certain age locally played for, or enjoyed spectating. Sadly, both clubs dissolved years ago now, so the halcyon days of willow upon leather locally are but a memory.
Well, former member Dave Slatcher is proposing a Brownhills Cricket Club Reunion, which seems like a cracking idea to me.
He wrote:
About time we had a reunion for anyone who played, or was a relative of a former player from Brownhills Cricket Club, please circulate and share, and anyone interested please contact me on slatch@talk21.com.
I’ll then collate names to try and sort a date and venue…
Micheal Smith posted this image on Facebook of Brownhills Cricket Club team – believed to be the First XI in 1972. Click for a larger version. Who do you recognise?
Local teacher Eryl Powell is probably the person I’ve come across who knows most about the club in latter days, and recently he posted this team sheet from 1987, supplied to him by Neil Stringer, all the way from Canada:
It’s a bit fuzzy, but enough to jog memories there I think. Click for a larger version – Brownhills Cricket Club, 1987 kindly supplied by Neil Stringer via Eryl Powell. Click for the full size version.
If you have any recollections of either club, or have anything to add, please do comment here, tug my sleeve on social media or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
The local sports clubs were a vital part of our communal history and it would be great top build up more of a history of them. Let’s see if we can…
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 12th January 2018 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.
🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 BROWNHILLS STAY & PLAY 2019
We will be exploring sandplay in our tuff tray 🚜 hope to see you there …. 10.00am-11.30am £2 per child Brownhills Stay&Play 🌈Add our Facebook page
We also have spaces available within Little Green Dragons Nursery if you wanted to pop in and have a look around.
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 not often I get political on the blog these days – local politics is a stagnant mess and national politics is so far beyond satire it’s impossible to make anything out of it. But something popped up in my facebook timeline yesterday that really needs addressing.
‘Bloody hell the Eurythmics have let themselves go’ – I’d like to take credit for that, but it’s the inspired wit of John Leftlung. Meanwhile, I’m concerned that the Mayor seems to be experiencing an unexpectedly textured bout of flatulence.
The screenshot of a Facebook post made on Wednesday, 9th January 2018 by the staff of our member of Parliament, Wendy Morton shows the lady herself and her diminutive pal, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street posing in Brownhills High Street.
Talking effusively about investment in our high streets.
Carefully concealed from view is the derelict, rotting hulk of Ravens Court, the precinct abandoned by its owners seven years ago that is a scar on our town and a seemingly intractable problem.
What I’d like to ask our MP Wendy directly is this (and Andy Street could answer, if he’s available between photoshoots) – when are you going to propose or support legislation to bring absentee and neglectful landlords to account, and make them either keep their properties in use or dispose of them?
Brownhills is blighted by Ravens Court, owned as a property investment by people with no connection to the town. It’s dereliction is meaningless to the owners who do not have to live with it. When is this government going to bring forward law to tackle this blight, with empty buildings decaying in every town in the UK because Councils have no power to bring speculative, land-banking landlords to account?
The slim power that exists at the moment can easily be avoided by developers gaming the system, and it would not be churlish to think that might be going on in Brownhills. What are your proposals Wendy, as our MP, to deal with this?
The floor is open Wendy. This is a public forum read by thousands of people every week, as opposed to the less than 1,000 who follow you currently on Facebook.
This is your chance. I know you don’t get the time to answer every email, so this is nice and easy: What are you really doing, Wendy?
Update – shortly after publication, Wendy’s staff replied. For some reason, they are not inclined to reply publicly. One can only speculate as to why delaying tactics would be employed on such a simple question.
Reader JD Sharon has been in touch with a mystery photo, and would like to ask readers if they know anything about the band pictured, who look like a fun bunch of lads, I must say.
These lads look like they could get a room dancing. Image kindly supplied by JD Sharon.
JD said
Hi Bob
Found this, my grandad was the drummer – Alfred Haycock from Brownhills.
I’ve no idea who they were but it says Mayfair on the stands … if anyone knows or can help that would be great, thank you!
If you know anything, please do get in touch: Comment here, tug my sleeve on social media or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers, and thanks to JD for a fascinating enquiry!
This is an important appeal for information regarding a strange incidence of criminal damage that took place yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 8th January 2019) at Stevie Ansell’s riding school premises at Coppice Lane/Engine Lane, Brownhills.
Image from Stevie Ansell’s Riding School Facebook Page.
Stevie sent me the following important appeal:
Hi Bob
People of Brownhills and surrounding please keep your eyes peeled! Stevie Ansell Riding Centre needs your help!
Urgent Appeal:
At some point in broad daylight this afternoon two padlocked gates securing our fields on Engine Lane, Brownhills have been rammed off with a vehicle..
One green gate easily accessed directly off top of Engine Lane the other would have taken a fair few manoeuvres off the beaten path to achieve target!
We are currently awaiting CCTV coverage of whole area – so nothing proven yet – but a silver Shogun was spotted and alerted several workers regarding suspicious activity this afternoon. Reg and descriptions to follow if formally linked.
Nothing has been disturbed, stolen or damaged so we can only assume that they were either disturbed – or plan to come back maybe to – 2Flytip – Steal or for any other illegal activity.
Please contact me, Stevie on 07950 314091 with any information or sightings – All information helps.
Confidentiality assured.
Share the hell out of this post in the case that they may be ‘casing’ other yards too!
Stevie Ansell
One thought I have had is maybe it was illicit, illegal off-roaders. But I have no idea – what has occurred to me though is that how bad this could have been had horses escaped due to the damage? It doesn’t bear thinking about.
Stevie’s stables do a huge amount of great work, and it’s terrible that anyone would target them and cause hardship and further work to the hard working folk that keep the place running.
Please come forward with any information you have. If you don’t want to speak to the Stevie or the Police directly, drop me a line on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com and I’ll pass the message on in total confidence.
You can also contact Walsall Police by dialling 101 (999 in an emergency, obviously) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
It will take place over the weekend of 18-19th May 2019 and planning is in the early stages, but Brenda Ward from the BCN Society has been in touch to ask me to share the good news and appeal for stalls and traders who may be interested in having a pitch.
Brenda is looking for fresh stalls and attractions for the popular festival to compliment the boat rides and other attractions. You could be a crafter, selling bric-a-brac, or exhibiting your artwork or other collection. Maybe you’re a charity, or local business who’d like to reach out to a lot of people quickly and easily?
My thanks to the BCN and Brenda for taking this on. Wonderful stuff.
Brenda Ward wrote:
Hi Bob
Just to keep you informed The BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations) Society will be holding a Canal Festival in Brownhills over the weekend of 18th & 19th May 2019.
As soon as we have finalised details I will let you know but in the meantime people may like to be aware of it and note the date & anyone who would like a stall can contact me on boundarypost@gmail.com.
It will take on a similar format to the Brownhills Community Festival the organisers of this past event have been informed and are in favour.
I’ll be in touch all the best
Brenda Ward
You can contact Brenda on the means above, or you can comment here, ping me on social media, or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.
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 weeks 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 next Monday evening, 14th January 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:
The next public meeting of Lichfield Waterworks Trust will take place on: Monday 14 January 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.
This is an incredibly exciting community heritage project, so do come along and become involved, everyone is welcome.
This months talk is by our very own Colin Walton who is going to talk about the Lichfield Maltings
Lichfield Maltings was originally built in 1890 for Lichfield Brewery and became part of Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries after the fire at the brewery and friendly take over the next morning in 1924, leading to the numerous local Banks’s pubs. The maltings ran until 2005 as one of the last traditional floor maltings, with the addition of refrigeration in the Summer months, allowing malting throughout the year. Malting is a special art, with steeps to soak the barley, power shovels on the cold floors, anthracite burners to heat the kiln, all requiring a lot of the hardest manual labour, to make the finest malt.
The colour photograph shows the maltings in 1992 and the whole process will be explained to satisfy the most discerning beer drinkers.
As always, this talk will show you parts of Lichfield never seen before.
Health and Safety
We are really pleased to report that December has been working for 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.
Engineering Team Report
The Engineering Teams work is continuing at an astonishing rate, with he 1874 engine house now taking on a look of originality and careful conservation.
The Building and Maintenance Team continue with their endeavours to clean and repair the building. Balustrades fitted recently have been painted in a colour that’s more sympathetic to the 1874 building.
The land around the Pumping Station is looking clean and tidy, with lawns mowed and litter removed.
Archive and Document Preservation Team Report
Archive and Document Preservation Team continue with their cataloguing, sorting and filing.
The team recently obtained some new (used) shelving from Staffs County Council that was surplus to their requirements.
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.
Donations
With over 2,500 volunteer working hours, (equates to more than two full time equivalents) and over £6,000 spent in cleaning equipment, materials and scaffold. 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
Finally
Thank you everyone for your continued support and helping to make a difference in our community.
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.
Here’s one I’ve been meaning to catch for a while, but always seem to miss somehow – the periodic Toy and Train Collectors Fair at Oak Park Leisure Centre, Walsall Wood.
This one runs today Sunday, 6th January 2018 from 10:30am until 3pm, and is just £1:80 entry for adults, £1:50 for OAPs and just a quid for the kids.
There will be over 80 stalls, with all manner of models, toy trains, toy cars and other collectibles, and there’s also a cafe on site.
The organisers would like visitors to note that although parking on the centre car park is likely to be quite busy, there is parking on the old Oak Park car park accesses from the side of the KFC restaurant.
Last week I spent a fascinating (and rather frustrating) evening delving through the Canal and River Trust photo archive, which is always a curate’s egg: Whilst there are many stunning images (and many more waiting to be found) the cataloguing and indexing of them is awful and frequently bizarre or inaccurate. Which I guess is part of the charm.
Images from the Canal and River Trust Archive. Click for larger versions.
Please have a good look, and see what you can spot – I think there are some good weekend talking points here. Comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com – or hit me up on social media.
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 5th January 2018 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.
🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 BROWNHILLS STAY & PLAY 2019
We hope you have had a lovely Christmas break – our Stay & Play group will continue as normal 🙂
•Saturday 5th January 2019
•10.00am-11.30am
•£2 per child
•4 years and under
We also have spaces available within Little Green Dragons Nursery if you wanted to pop in and have a look around.
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.
Hello folks – have a special appeal here to get in touch with Gerald Reece and Bernard Howdle – their old bandmate Jack McCreath is looking to get in touch again and recall the old days.
Gerald Reece from his book ‘Brownhills a Walk into History’
I know David Evans is in touch with Gerald. I’d also be interested in contacting Gerald as he’s been discussing for a few years the idea of ‘beating the bounds’ of Brownhills and I’d be interested in the route and seeing if we can make this a real thing.
Jack wrote:
Hi Bob,
Many years ago I was in a Folk Group (The Yoghourt) with two Brownhills Lads, Bernard Howdle(s) and Gerry Reece – I’ve now unfortunately lost touch and haven’t found anyone so far who can help.
I know Gerry moved to Devon years ago and last time I saw him was in the Library when he was setting up his talk.
Was also trying to contact Barry Yates to see if he could help but didnt manage to find him either.
Be really great if you could help through any of your contacts
Cheers Jack (Jock) McCreath
If you can help, please do get in touch: You can comment here, mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com or tug my sleeve on social media.
Laurea is an old pal of the blog and is engaged in a rather excellent local history investigation…
Laura is doing a Masters Degree in Local History and is focussing on the activities of women who were enterprising, but not conventionally employed.
She asked:
Hi all,
I have an unusual request. I am presently doing my masters in local history and I am in the process of putting together what will become ‘the bones’ of my final essay / dissertation. I am looking to investigate women in the workplace with a focus on women who may have considered themselves unemployed but actually had a thriving home industry, this could be a bit dodgy (selling booze or cigarettes from the kitchen), legitimate leather work, making nails, cleaning, baking… whatever. I am focusing on the period 1850 to 1940 which I will later narrow down.
I wondered if anybody recalls any tails from parents or grand parents who would have been alive during that time that you would be willing to share with a view of me interviewing / delving a bit deeper into at some point?
Anything would be a great help, no matter how small. If you can help, feel free to message me.
Similarly, if anybody has any historical material on industry or working in the area, I would love to see it!
Thanks a lot, Laura 😄
If you can help Laura, please do: I’m really interested in this myself as it’s a concealed aspect of local history I’d never really considered in detail. If you think about it we all knew ladies who did this stuff when we were kids – from selling sweets from the kitchen to undertaking clothing alterations.
If you can help you can contact Laura via Facebook here, via the Reading Rooms on 01543 373768, via email at hello@the-reading-rooms.co.uk – or of course, you could pop in to the Reading Rooms in person and discuss the matter over coffee and rather excellent cake…
Over the new year break I had this opportunity for volunteer football coaches at Walsall Wood SSE Wildcats sent in – can you help this wonderful local girls team develop further?
Image from the Walsall Wood SSE Wildcats Facebook page.
They asked:
Walsall Wood SSE Wildcats are expanding the delivery of their sessions and are looking to add to their current coaching squad (predominantly female).
Are you enthusiastic about girls football? Are you over 18 and interested in coaching football? Are you able to volunteer for at least 1 hour per week? If you have answered ‘Yes’ to all of the questions above then please contact Walsall Wood SSE Wildcats for further information.
It’s also worth noting they’re also appealing g for players, too – you can pop along next Thursday (10th January 2019):
Do you have any girls in your family aged 5-11 who want to start football? Bring them along to our Wildcats academy on Thursday 10th Jan from 6-7pm at Shire Oak School in the sports hall.
• Girls only academy • Fa qualified coaches • CRB checked • Safeguarding and first aid qualified
Police in Walsall have released the following statement in relation to a man they wished to identify earlier in connection with a robbery at Ward’s Store, Shire Oak.
They said:
Good news! A man has turned himself in to police just hours after we launched an appeal to identify him.
The 20-year-old was wanted for questioning on suspicion of a knife point robbery at a shop in Brownhills on 20 December.
He handed himself in this afternoon (2 January) and is currently on route to custody where he will be questioned in due course.
Thanks to everyone who shared appeal and contacted us with information.
Just a heads to point out there’s a Big Bounce family fun event taking place at Walsall College Hub (right on the ring road in Walsall, opposite Tesco) this very afternoon, Wednesday 2nd January 2018.
It’s £6 per child with adults in at £1. It runs from 2-3:30pm.
There will be rides, inflatables, slides, diddi cars and all kinds of supervised fun.
The organisers said:
Happy New 2019! 1 DAY ONLY – WEDNESDAY 2nd JANUARY 2019 Get the Kids off their consoles & active again for a couple of hours at Walsall’s #BigBounce. Dedicated equipment for under 5’s to get confident before they explore the bigger attractions. Last chance to ride on our reindeer & bounce in the North Pole + loads more. Pay CASH on entry or book cheaper family tickets online www.ticketsource.co.uk/BigBounce ***1st session starts at 10.30am, 12.15pm & 2pm (there was a printing error on some flyers)
Hey folks – regulars here will know that over Christmas and new year on the Brownhills Blog we normally have a quiz where real prizes can be won – mini kegs of Backyard Ale or books – well, I think the quiz has run it’s course, but I’ve had a lot of success with 2018s photo competitions – so here’s another to get stuck in to.
Everywhere looks glorious at some point in winter… picture from my 365days archive.
Please send in – either by posting on facebook, twitter or emailing me – one photo you’re proud of that represents winter, Christmas or this season.
It doesn’t have to be Brownhills, as many of you live away from the hallowed town now, and anyone can enter. Pictures don’t have to be current but should be broadly positive and above all, yours.
I’m not looking for the next David Bailey (ask your ma) so if you’re not technical, or only have an old phone, that’s cool. It’s content and capture that matters.
I’ll keep the competition open until noon on Sunday, 6th January 2019 at 11pm when a panel of me, co-admins Phil, Richard and Linda on Facebook and the young Mr Evans will decide which we like and award prizes.
Each judge will pick one winner and one runner up.
Remember, just one picture per person is allowed, otherwise we get swamped with whole galleries!
Our decision will be final and this is all intended as fun, so don’t get heavy. Ask previous winners though, the beer is real and brewed in Brownhills!
Send them to BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com, @BrownhillsBob on twitter or post to the Facebook group.
Best of luck!
Sonw of the rooftops of Tyseley in 2013… from my 365days archive.
Those faces. She looks like a fine, no nonsense lady. ‘One of the last canal families, Vi Atkins with her daughter Violet, on the last horse-drawn run from Ellesmere Port to Clayton’s Refinery, Oldbury in 1952.
As I promised yesterday, some selected images here that caught my eye from the book I was bought for Christmas ‘The BCN in Pictures’ – a remarkable 1982 picture booklet of achieve images of the local canal network, the boats that navigated it and the people who worked it – both for a living, and to restore it in the dark years when hardly anyone cared.
This is Catshill Junction, Brownhills, from the bridge looking towards Tesco. Note the gas works where Humphries House stands today. ‘Ernest Thomas was a much loved canal carrier who later operated a substantial lorry fleet. His wooden tug DOT is show at Catshill Junction in the 50s’
The book is long out of print, but there’s loads more pictures than I feature here, so please do grab a copy if you can find one.
That face wasn’t posed. Oh gosh. I’d love to know the who and where of this. ‘What some people call pleasure! Part of canal restoration is getting covered in mud!’
It’s hard to appreciate now just what a bad state the canal was in when I was a child, and the huge strides made – much of it by volunteers – to gift us the clean, peaceful waterways of today.
I’m hoping someone can tell me where this is, and what, if anything, remains? ‘Once one of the largest operators on the BCN, Thomas Clayton of Oldbury survived until 1969, in latter years still carrying a considerable amount of oil. This scene shows their dock in Oldburyicirca 1965’
A familiar image, in better quality than usually seen – this is a work crew featuring well-love local character Alf Mole at Catshill Junction. They would be stood in the gardens of Chandlers Keep today. Note the child obscured by the gent in the foreground. ‘Catshill in 1956, where the Daw End Branch (sic) joins the Wyrley and Essington Canal. British Waterways staff are seen engaged in bank maintenance.’
This is one of my favourite images, and a spot I know really well – the canal as it goes under Spaghetti Junction. An old boss of mine used to be fascinated by the crane coming from the factory building, top centre. For years it was a landmark when we returned home up the motorway from London. ‘A birds eye view of the Tame Valley Canal as it heads West towards Witton from Salford Junctionunderneath the Gravelly Hill Motorway Interchange.’
Some fine appropriate clothing in this one… bless the 1970s. ‘Towpath clearance at the Tipton end of the Dudley Tunnel adjacent to the Black Country Museum during the Dudley Dig of 1972.’
If you have any comments to make, please do – either here on the post or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. You can of course, find me on social media too.
Note Sterling Tubes in the background of this one. I’m intrigued by the steel structure spanning the canal in the background – what is that? ‘A traditional canal boat launching at Ken Keay’s former dock at Carl Street, Walsall on the Wyrley.& Essington Canal. MEROPE formerly a GUCCC wooden motor built in 1938, now owned by Peter Dodds takes to the water after being docked in February 1973.’
However, there’s an interesting sideline to this: The crest appears to have been adopted by the Shire Oak School for its badge at least up until the 1980s. Reader Ian Neil sent this image in:
Ian Neil said ‘This was the old Shire Oak Grammar School badge – I never knew it was based on the old Saxon king!’
Ian also kindly pointed out a bit of local history in relation to the crest that I completely forgot: There is, in Shire Oak School, a piece of the Shire Oak tree preserved and mounted, The plaque on the mount carries the same crest. I include the post about that, with photos below for completeness.
Since this was presented in 1966, and Brownhills Urban District Council formally ceased to exist in April of that year (it merged with Aldridge) I do wonder if the adoption of the crest by the Grammar School was some kind of act of defiance.
Of course, the school existed before that, but they must have know the writing was on the wall…
Thanks to Ian Neil for the help with this post. If you’ve a view on this, do share: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com, comment here or bother me on social media.
The Council seal, as depicted in a press cutting supplied by Audrey Proffitt.
In the meantime, Rome-based ex-Brownhillian Mick P sent these great images to me by email, which were taken on a visit to the school a couple of years ago. It certainly seems to need the love of a good duster. I’m pleased the artifact survives after all this time, but I still wonder what the provenance of it was. The chunk of (presumably rotting) wood seems to have been stored for at least 50 years before being preserved – or did it sit somewhere else before the UDC donated it? If you have any information, please do comment or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
Together, we are assembling a record of our history, bit by bit. I’m so grateful to you all.
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 29th December 2018), Walsall Wood F.C. entertained Long Eaton United at home – and the visitors left defeated by some margin.
David Evans was there to enjoy the match, and wrote:
Walsall Wood’s famous stand and the hearty welcome the club is famous for. Good start!
The thrill of the football to come ,and the promise of a top class beefburger, too.
the pre-match customary handshake as two teams prepare to play, and spectators get ready to enjoy the sport that promises to captivate and enthral.
The first minute and a lightning attack by the Wood nearly brings a shock goal. Jolly good.
First half, a few minutes later and its Long Eaton who set the game alight as they respond. This is going to be a thriller, I can feel it in my screws.
Later in the first half. yes, this is a fine display of close harmony football..and appreciably no complaining, or attempts to manipulate decisions by this week’s visitors , from Nottingham.
First half and already some delicious examples of the sport bring applause from the spectators, again and again. Long Eaton’s captain, as Walsall Wood’s, indeed, played a masterly game.
Walsall Wood’s captain. First half and before an amazing piece of artistic football by him. Bless
Still the first half and the Wood are edging towards scoring the first goal of the match, but Long Eaton are determined that this shall not be. Super, class football is delighting the appreciative spectators.
First half and Long Eaton are finding a way through the famous Red Line with worrying frequency as the Wood “gird their loins” to defend and repel the ominous threat.
Later in the first half. Some frustration, perhaps, results in the Man in Black having a pre-emptive gentle word , then its on with the game. I can smell the beefburgers cooking.
nearly half time and its Long Eaton whose star is in the ascendancy. Time for an early beefburger.
Only a few minutes to go to half time now and you can sense the need for the teams to have a moment of calm, and for me to have a beefburger so I missed seeing a moment of end of year madness on the field at this point. Totally out of character with the rest of the game, apparently.
Second half and two revitalised teams emerge, though Long Eaton are now minus the player who had been required to take a long, early bath. How would the visitors respond and adapt? Within a few minutes the Wood fire a free kick shot to score the first goal of the match.
Second half and Joey Butlin’s millimetre accurate long range free kick has broken the impasse and the Men in all red , socks included, rejoice. The game has come alight. How will the sporting visitors respond?
Second half. Long Eaton now have a challenge, a task to accomplish, and are handicapped by the loss of one player for the rest of the game.
Later in the second a wake=up call for the Wood. Long Eaton are not done yet, not by a long way. Super soccer match, in every respect. A credit to the players and their respectful managers.
Second half. Remember the famous long range goal scoring shot by Pele, many years ago? Well the Wood’s fabulous captain did exactly the same here today, before our eyes. Second goal to WWFC
Second half and the team rush to congratulate Captain Tolley, who is visibly chuffed, as are the home supporters, in fact.
Later in the second half and some understandably dispirited visiting supporters are eager for their team to score a goal. Or perhaps the local half time brew is taking effect now. But, Long Eaton are not slackening their pace, but parry and thrust, pass and challenge at every moment.
The Wood, in a blur and the gloom of the final part of the game, score their third goal…and a peach of a goal it is, too.
a quick moment to celebrate and the ref calls for a resumption of the game. Understandable. The game is nearly over but spectators have enjoyed the game and the positive sporting nature of this week’s visiting team.
Images and captions kindly supplied by David Evans
Hi Bob
Walsall Wood FC vs Long Eaton, 29 December 2018
Walsall Wood 3 v 0 Long Eaton
This was a game that I looked forward to with eager interest. I like the positive, fair-minded manner in which the visiting team play football, and the courteous, respectful manner in which their managers carry out their touchline duties. For this reason and for the joy of seeing the resurgent home team take on their opponents I was keen to arrive at the Oak Park ground early.
I had been told there was a special, historically important photo for me to view. A welcome pot of tea awaited me and I took a few moments to savour the 1922 team photo, with the magnificent Walsall Senior Cup there in the centre of the photo.
The first half of today’s match was captivating. Accurate passing, fast running, all the skills that make up the game were on display. The time flashed by for me – a true indication of the enthralling nature of the contest. But, no breakthrough by either side despite varied approaches and attacking moves.
One moment of consternation, when frustration at being out-played brought a yellow card…And sadly, later a red card for one hapless player, leaving the visitors ten men left.
The first half ended and there was a very welcome break for all the players, who, up to that point, had played a very fast flowing game.
The second half brought new tactics, and a few substitutions by both sides in their endeavour to take the lead. This came for Walsall Wood from a superbly accurate long-range free kick. Bang. Straight over the goalkeeper and in to the back of the sproutbag. Elation for home supporters. Mutterings from friendly but worried visiting supporters.
Now the visitors took on their challenge with added zeal, but, in pressing forward, their defences were left, erm… Thin, and Captain Marvellous, Mitch Tolley fired a Pele-quality long range shot from near half way to lob over the goal keeper. Bang. Two nil. How would Long Eaton respond? With fluid play and clever moves the visitors put the home side under pressure. The game had plenty of life left in it, then!
However, the Wood’s fleet-of-foot lads dazzled and shone… And a third goal was scored to bring the final score to three goals to nil for Walsall Wood
Long Eaton again earned the respect and admiration of the home supporters, who applauded players being substituted, joining with the visiting supporters. But, that is Nottingham and Derbyshire spirit, so welcome to see here at Walsall Wood, evidenced by respect for the officials, accepting decisions without question , complaint or inappropriate language.
True sportsmen.
David Evans
Thanks to David for the report and pictures – much appreciated. For The Good of the Wood!
Here’s a treat for canal enthusiasts and other people interested in local waterway history. For Christmas a good pal acquired and gave to me a book of photos, published in 1982 by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society and called ‘The BCN in Pictures’.
The caption from the book records: ‘Not all trains travelled on rails! Grand Union narrowboat PRINCESS ANNE, and shortened by 10′ for tugging, is shown pulling four empty wharf boats through broken ice near Anglesey Basin [Near Chasewater – Bob]. The canal was originally a feeder channel from the Chasewater reservoir to the Wyrley & Essington Canal, which was made navigable in the mid 19th century’ – Click for a larger version.
The work is a remarkable black and white booklet covering many then current and historical pictures of the Birmingham and Black Country canal system, characters found upon it, boats that traversed it and people who were working hard to restore it. I’ll feature a gallery of images from the book tomorrow, but the book as a whole contains a huge amount of material so it’s worth bagging a copy if you can find one.
The BCN – From the BCN in Pictures. Click for a larger version, or click on the link in the text for a clearer version.
The book features a great map of the BCN network as it stood on publication and I feature it above in low resolution and here in 600dpi high quality by clicking here – that’s a 32 meg file so will take a while to download but it’s clear and includes the minutest detail close up. It’s a great map.
I include a couple of local images as tasters of the book. If you have any comments to make, please do – either here on the post or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. You can of course, find me on social media too.
The caption from the book records: ‘Leonard Leigh’s butties [unpowered vessels designed to be like ‘trailers’ – Bob] are shown at Pelsall Common during the winter of 1940. An icebreaker and crew (shown behind the forward butty) are shown attempting to keep a vital transport link, the canal, open.’ – Click for a larger version.
Here’s a sad one that came to my attention late last night – but I feel asleep writing the post, sorry. Can everyone please keep a lookout for two missing bikes and bike parts, stolen locally on Thursday night-Friday morning 27-28th December 2018?
They were taken from the shed of Dirty Customs graphics and bike customisation wizard Rob Howells who lives near Rugeley. The bikes (I’m assuming it’s two bikes, the On-One frame is pictured I think it’s a built bike now) will be absolutely unique and very, very distinctive.
The thieves in this case were clearly not opportunists – they broke the locks off the back gate and then his shed and took the locks with them to cover any DNA traces, clearly experienced in what they are doing.
Anyone know scumbags that have broken into my bike shed and nicked my bikes?
My pink meta has been nicked and I want it back and not only that they’ve also taken a carbon On One 456 which was intended to be raffled off for a child’s cancer charity so not only have they taken my pride and joy but they’ve also stolen from a child and his cancer treatment.
Any and all info please let me know. They’ve been reported to the police but I want them back..
Please share as much as possible…
Further additions to the theft, 2 bikes as pictured, 1 carbon Giant front wheel, 2 sets of Hope brakes and a set of Guide R’s. Just to top it off so suggests the people knew what they were looking for…
If you know someone that’s suddenly pitched up with a bike matching either description that you feel could be one of these, please do contact Staffordshire Police by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
You can also mail me in confidence: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
Just a quick one here – if anyone has lost an adult’s flat bar hybrid/road bike in the Brownhills area then it’s very possibly been found.
Lindon Road is a busy thoroughfare. Imagery from Apple Maps.
A resident on Lindon Road has taken the bike in and it’s being collected by police as lost property.
It’s in good condition and is obviously a well-loved steed.
If you’ve had a bike taken recently and the description sounds right, please give me a shout – comment here, mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com or tug my coat on social media.
Cheers all: Happy new year. Let’s see if we can get this bike back to it’s rider.
The Council Crest – I believe a variant of this may have been used by Brownhills Comprehensive or another local school in the 70s. Click for a larger version.
One of the points mentioned in the article – scanned from a clipping held by the wonderful Audrey Proffitt and kindly shared with blog researcher and local historian David Evans – was about the Brownhills Urban District Council seal – it was an interesting design as seen here.
Now, the seal is based heavily on the legend that Saxon King Cutha was buried on the Stonnall side of Shire Oak Hill and this, while this is clearly enough to dampen the underpants and stimulate the creative juices of some local historians, the myth seems to have little basis in fact.
I just can’t help feeling that had there been a ‘Battle of Shire Oak’ (and not just the crush at closing time in the pub) leading to the burial of a king we’d all be a teeny bit more aware of it.
The original report carried the following explanation:
I found the council’s intricate seal particularly intriguing. It depicts the Saxon chieftain Cutha, who was buried after being killed in battle at Shire Oak. The Staffordshire Knot is incorporated, and the figure 1894 denotes the year of inauguration of the urban district council, which adopted the seal in 1930. Aptly the motto reads, ‘No turning aside.’
David has been delving into the minutes of Brownhills Urban District Council, and has found the following passage which sheds more light on the myth as it was believed at the time:
From Brownhills Urban District Council Official Minutes, Volume 21:
At a meeting of the Council in Committee, held 2ndJuly 1930 Present Messrs T Cox(chairman), J Baker, E Birch, J Blakemore, S Breeze, H Cliff, H Emery. HJ Holland, R Humphries, F Peake, H Simmonds Dr J Stewart
page 36, minute 166 Council Crest. The Chairman, Mr Holland and the Clerk were authorised to prepare a design for a Council Crest
page 54, minute 247 At an ordinary meeting of the Council held on 13thAugust 1930
Council Crest and Motto. The Clerk submitted a design for the Council Crest and a suggested Motto, as prepared and approved by the Chairman, Mr H J Holland and himself.
It was resolved that the words ‘Nemo Nos Aversos Videbat’ (no stepping backwards) be adopted as the Motto, and that the Crest be a representation of Cutha the Saxon Chieftain whom history records as having been buried in the year 584 A.D. near Catshill on the slope of the Shire Oak hill on the Chester Road. Further that this device be adopted as the Common Seal of the Council
volume 23 At a meeting of the council held on 8thFebruary 1933 Present; Messrs HV Emery (Chairman) J Baker, ST Breeze, H Cliff, F Peake, HJ Simmonds
minute 540 Common Seal. Mr H Peacock (Additional Sanitary Inspector) presented the Council with a representation in colours of the Council’s Common Seal. The Chairman expressed the Council’s appreciation and it was decided that the framed design should hang in the Council Chamber.
So it seems that ‘history recorded’ Cutha was buried at Catshill, on the slope of Shire Oak Hill near to the Chester Road. Remarkable.
You know what I’m going to ask, don’t you?
It’s the mid-Christmas lull. I’ve caught up with things just about. The food is lying heavy on the tum like a royal corgi. Researchers, roustabouts and the commentariat: Where was this recorded, if anywhere, and is there any justification for it whatsoever? Contributions from the village on the far side of the hill welcome. Double barrelled contributions will need to get permission from their mum and make a significant monetary contribution to the running of the blog before posting – everyone else welcome.
If you have a view, please share it. Comment here, hit me up on social media or drop me mail: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
I include the original post below for completeness:
The Proffitt family have offered some stunning material, like the news clipping below, detailing the plans for Chasewater, newly renamed from Norton Pool. They are clearly ambitious, and didn’t quite come to fruition. In these cynical days it’s easy to knock – but these were optimistic people in an enlightened time when public spending was perceived to be for the public good.
I’d like to thank David and the Proffitt family for their generosity and hard work that has enabled some remarkable history to be uncovered. Please stay tuned for more.
I have no information as to the date or source paper for this, but I suspect early 1960s Wasall Observer or Express & Star. Clipping from the Proffitt family collection. Click for a larger version.
The council in session
By William V. Jolly, our municipal correspondent
NOT content with the valuable. contributions which its rich coal seams have made to the county’s wealth in the past, Brownhills urban district has far-reaching plans for welfare and recreational facilities for the people of South Staffordshire.
Breaking ambitiously into the field of public enterprise, members of the council have obtained control of one of the largest stretches of water in the Midlands area and aim to turn it into a pleasure centre for the young and old.
The scheme, estimated to cost £54,000 in its initial stages, would transform Chasewater (formerly known as Norton Pool) into a Mecca for sailing, rowing and motor boating, swimming and paddling – not to mention the tennis courts and putting greens, against a background of embankment and ornamental gardens.
Within a very few years the council considers there would be days on which something in the region of 50,000 people would seek pleasure and recreation there.
Council ownership would prevent trashy and undesirable features, such as merry-go-rounds, sideshows and skittle alleys.
The scheme has already captured the imagination of many sporting organisations, who are bound to back the council’s request to Staffordshire County Council for financial support.
OPEN SPACES
Parks and recreation grounds, however, have always had a prominent place in the plans of this urban district council and the area, happily, is now well served by open spaces.
This has proved to be an important asset in the council’s development plans – plans which include dwellings to house overspill families from Walsall and Birmingham.
In 1931 the council embarked on direct labour scheme policy and to date more than 1,145 homes ihave been erected by the department.
The council now owns 2,280 houses, 877 of which have been built… [Last line of clip missing] …Walsall overspill scheme 112 houses have been completed already, and and building will continue at the rate of 55 houses a year. Starting next year, there will also be 50 houses a year for the people from the congested areas of Birmingham.
New industries are being attracted to the area, the council having developed 26 acres for this purpose since the war. Another site of 26 acres is being prepared.
Brownhills U.D.C. seal, as described in the article.
Meanwhile, the council is pressing ahead with slum clearance schemes which, in the next five years, will add 600 houses to the total of 189 already demolished. More than 1,000 people living in slum dwellings have already been rehoused.
CIVIC CENTRE
When the credit squeeze is relaxed the council hopes to put in hand redevelopment plans for the High-street area which will include a new civic centre.
Improvements have been carried out to the district’s sewage disposal works and new plans ‘on the drawing board’ include one for the Clayhanger area, estimated to cost up to £40,000.
The council is responsible for 50 miles of roads and the majority of these have been improved by the installation of new lighting systems.
I found the council’s intricate seal particularly intriguing. It depicts the Saxon chieftain Cutha, who was buried after being killed in battle at Shire Oak. The Staffordshire knot is incorporated, and the figure 1894 denotes the year of inauguration of the urban district council, which adopted the seal in 1930. Aptly the motto reads, ‘No turning aside.’
There are 14 members on the council, the longest serving councillor being Mr. S. T. Breeze, who was first elected in 1928. The chairman Councillor William Henry Proffitt, is also a county councillor.
Mr. Norman Waine, clerk to the council since 1929, was formerly at Sandown, Isle of Wight.
I’d just like to take a few minutes here to wish all readers, contributors and friends of the Brownhills Blog and followers of the associated social media a very happy Christmas, and a peaceful and prosperous new year – it’s been a tough year this year, and I couldn’t have got through without you.
This year, as ever I have been impressed and touched by the compassion of the community of Brownhills and the wider area: We had some awful news, but light and good-heartedness shone through, and despite tragedy, anger and irritations, we’ve come through and continue to be a lovely place to live, write about and serve with the blog.
This year with the loss of the Plastic Hippo and Janey Hatfield, coming on the heels of losing Mark Blackstock too this has made continuing to write here difficult. All were good friends and left this place and me personally much emptier for their passing. It is in their memory and on their shoulders I continue.
We had some excellent historical finds this year, and contributors to the blog have provided some astounding material and been generous with their time and patience. I do this every year but cannot overstate my gratitude to them all.You are what makes this blog what it is.
David Evans and Simon, Peter Cutler and others have, as ever, been sterling in their support. I may not always show it but the work they put in is huge and I owe to them the continued success of this thing. Thanks lads.
On the matter of the blog, I apologise for the thin posting rate at the moment. I have been unwell, and had a lot going on in my work life that has often left me too tired to write. This thing is ten years old this coming April, and I’m not getting any younger. Doing this takes a lot of time and energy, and both have been scarce this autumn. Come the decade anniversary, I plan to slow things down a little, but the blog is going nowhere and will continue to grow. This Christmas I have made a conscious decision to ease off and concentrate on family, and I shall do the same next summer. The last one I missed too many good rides by fretting about the blog and I regret that, so I need to find a better balance for next year.
I’m tired. I need to refocus a bit. But the blog will not stop, I promise.
However, don’t worry, I’m going nowhere and there’s still plenty of good stuff in the bag to come.
Traffic was down a little this year for the blog but up for 365days. We shall finish the year at about 900,000. The reason for the drop was an absolutely disastrous change of theme (the appearance and design) of the blog in spring, which cost me a lot of mobile readers, and some change in the way Facebook promotes external links: Along with many other sites, the blog is affected by the fact that Facebook doesn’t want readers leaving it’s site. It’ll be interesting to see how that progresses.
Changing back the theme restored readers. But the damage that bad decision did was very real. On the matter of WordPress, the blog’s host, they continue to be brilliant on the whole but Jetpack is such a bag of crap. Fellow bloggers will understand that.
The 365daysofbiking journal has now been moved to a new home on WordPress following my concerns about the future of Tumblr, its original host. Both sites will continue in parallel for a while before transferring 100% to wordpress. This gives me more control over what is now a huge archive and hopefully can bring it to a wider audience. That alone was a massive amount of work.
A quick note of thanks here to the people from the Local Committee and Councillor Ken Ferguson who apparently managed to get Amey to fix the lights on Tin Man Island in time for Christmas – they had been out but as can be seen above, on Saturday they were looking great. Thank you to Barrie and Ken in particular.
Finally, thank you all for all you have done: My amazingly tolerant family and many close on and offline pals this year have supported me through choppy waters, kept me sane and focussed when the pressure has been on and helped in all kinds of ways. I’d particularly thank Linda, Phil and Richard who help Marshall the herd of cats that is the Facebook group. How they cope I have no idea. They are wonderful folk.
I raise my glass here and now to good friends, both here and absent, and to a lovely, wonderful community I’m so, so proud to try and help. Have a great festive season, there will be a competition (details to come) and please do keep digging for the history.
I never thought I’d still be here today. Thank you.
Here’s an interesting one from old friend of the blog Steve Sambrooke, who now lives in New Zealand but was originally from Clayhanger – a photo from the grounds of Caddick House, and it’s genuinely something I thought I’d never see.
This 1902 1:1,250 mapping overland on a modern Google Earth satellite photo shows Caddick House adjacent to the old mineral line at the south of Clayhanger itself. By all reports, it was a handsome house. Click for a larger version. Image from the NLS archive.
Caddick House was in an odd position – it’s long since lost to housing but stood roughly where Bramble Close is today, at the end of Church Street. For any years it was surrounded by a caravan park to the north and east.
I know very little about the caravan park, when it was created and when it disappeared, and indeed, if it was anything to do with Caddick House. I do know that several local folk spent their childhoods there.
Lichfield District Council’s 1963 aerial imagery record what must have been the final years of Caddick House (highlighted). Note the caravan park is clearly visible. Click for a larger version – Imagery courtesy Gareth Thomas/Lichfield District Council.
Steve wrote:
Caddick House in the late 1950s, possibly. Image kindly supplied by Steve Sambrooke. Click for a larger version.
Hi Bob,
I noticed in your blog that you referred to Caddick House some years ago.
I don’t know if it’s any interest to you but the attached photo was taken in the driveway of it.
I was born there in 1954, at the time it was owned by the National Coal Board and my parents rented it for a few years.
It was a lovely place, it had it’s own stables and an Orchard.
Regards Steve Sambrooke (Born in Clayhanger, now living in Wellington New Zealand)
Thanks to Steve for what is a real gem – have a very merry Christmas and happy new year old chap!
I am of course interested in anything readers can add, please: Do you remember Caddick House or the caravan park? Can you help with what happened to them?
If you can add anything, please do: Comment on this post, mail me or tug my sleeve on social media. Clayhnger history is still very much shrouded in mystery and it would be great to expand upon it if we can.
Walsall Wood FC have a great reputation for entertaining football, and a keen, loyal and friendly bunch of supporters! Come join in the fun this Saturday and see some cracking football.
Saturday 22nd December 2018
Time for some great football at Oak Park!
Walsall Wood v Highgate United
Don’t break your Wood vows, be there, be faithful to your local heroes
Here’s an important warning from local police which reached me in the last couple of days – cars are being stolen by criminals fishing for keys through letterboxes again.
There is currently somewhat of a vehicle crime wave ongoing: Homes are being targeted for keys so it’s wise to be careful.
West Midlands Police said:
This is a general warning against leaving bunches of keys in front door locks – particularly if your car key is among them. This morning the occupiers of a house in the Shelfield area awoke to find their BMW car gone after the keys, which were on a bunch including house keys that had been left in the front door lock, were fished through the letterbox.
Never, ever leave keys hanging in door locks. Place them away from doors and preferably out of sight.
Check your home insurance as you may not be covered if you do leave keys in exterior door locks.
Take care folks, lock your cars, obviously, but ensure no tools or valuables are left in your vehicles overnight if at all passible and on these cold mornings, never, ever leave your car running unattended to warm it up.
If you’re offered gear like satnavs, computers or suchlike, think hard about where it might have come from, and by all means grub the people flogging them into the rozzers – the stuff is probably nicked. Next time, it could be your stuff they take.
I had an email from local historian and author Clive Roberts yesterday, pointing out that his latest book ‘Ramblings of a Local Historian’ is now available, but will sell out fast – so be quick if you want a copy for a present or just a Christmas treat for yourself!
I know that in this work, Clive covers a diverse range of subjects – including a lost canal wharf in Brownhills I knew nothing about, some great info on Manchester House in Brownhills High Street and the book will be packed with photos and archive material.
I have now received my new local history work for our area from the printers ‘Rambling of a Local Historian’.
The book will be on sale at Brownhills Library from Wednesday 12th December. The book covers mainly Brownhills; there’s a bit on Clayhanger; Pelsall; and Walsall Wood also.
Price: £8 each and there’s 59 pages.
I will also put it for sale on eBay next week.
When they’re gone they’re gone, so please get in quick!
Best wishes Clive L. Roberts
I haven’t yet got my copy, but when I do I’ll post a full review here – Clive’s previous works have garnered him a great reputation for well researched, engaging local history writing that uncovers detail that others may well miss. They are written in a friendly, conversational style and are an absolute treat.
If you have any questions or observations for Clive, please do comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com, and I’ll draw them to his attention.
I wish Clive all the best and look forward to reading his new book!
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 weeks now and is growing in popularity – so why not pop along to see what it’s all about?
Colin Corbett with his treasured red Stratocaster. Image kindly supplied by Colin Corbett.
Since the last article here, Colin has sent me scans of the article in the Bugle so that I could feature it here, plus a bunch of photos and other ephemera of the period. It really is a wonderful tranche of material that will take readers right back to the heady days of local rock and roll.
I’m sure this will be an excellent bit of further reading for those into local music of the period.
Thanks to Colin for getting in touch and if you have anything you’d like to add, or any memories you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to contact me: You can mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com, comment on this post or find me on social media.
Reviews, ads and promo material for the Telstars – click for larger versions. Images kindly supplied by Colin Corbett.
“From ‘Beat Boom’ to ballroom – Colin has always lived for the Rhythm”
By Brian W. Nicholls.
In October 2018 I had the good fortune to meet up with Colin Corbett, former drummer with 1960s Cannock Group The Telstars. Colin, along with his wife Rita, live in a quiet backwater onthe edge of Cannock Chase where he has his own music studio. We discussed his own life in music and, the couple’s eventual business partnership as professional dance teachers.
… ‘I was seven or eight when my parents arranged for my sister and I to attend ballroom dancing lessons on Saturday mornings and music lessons on the afternoon. I studied piano accordion and my sister studied piano right up until I was thirteen. We certainly had a thorough grounding in music theory which has put me in good stead ever since. Our teacher taught only classical music but, one day she asked me to bring along a piece of music of my own choice and I chose The Railroad Runs Through The Middle Of The House – a popular 1957 upbeat country-style chart hit by Alma Cogan but, the teacher was not impressed. In fact, so horrified with my choice she actually said that she was finished with me and that I could probably become a good jazz musician. Actually, it was the height of the skiffle era and at home we did have a tea chest bass, washboard, acoustic guitar and a set of hanging bottles tuned to different notes. I stuck with guitar for a while but, when I was around fourteen there was a knock at the door and two lads said… ‘we hear that you are a brilliant guitarist’ and asked me to join them (well, I could play around a dozen chords!) The three of us became The Sundowners and I decided to switch to drums as I had always admired my uncle Ray Hadley who was a drummer in his own dance band. The bass player’s dad cut a big marching drum down to a bass drum size and I then had a torn torn, snare drum and a set of cymbals. I bought a drum tutor book and taught myself to play by drumming along to skiffle and rock records.”…
Colin’s group soon developed into the currently popular Cliff Richard and The Shadows format of singer, two guitars, drums and bass. Colin kept his extra curricular musical activities very quiet from his classmates so, you can imagine everyone’s surprise when The Sundowners were announced on the day of the school leaving concert and Colin casually saunters up to the drum stool from the audience to join his bandmates on the stage.
Colin Corbett age 9, already showing a musical talent. Image kindly supplied by Colin Corbett.
…”My schoolmates were really pleasantly surprised and the teachers actually said what a wonderful talent I had. We then had a booking at The Top Club – a working men’s club in Brownhills but, without transport we took a chance at the local bus company, Harper’s Bus Service. It went better than we thought as the conductor and two passengers helped us get our gear on to the bus, The driver drew back the trap window at the back of his cab and asked us what time would we finish and would we like a lift home. The driver obviously took pity at our plight and ambition and dropped us at the club carpark and picked us up at 10,30 pm. They even helped load and unload our gear again”…
However, The Sundowners’ actual baptism of fire was when they appeared at The Avion Cinema in Aldridge – a veritable pop music hotspot. They now had Futurama guitars and bass and 10watt Selmer and Elpico amplifiers plus a Watkins Copycat echo unit. From that, they went on to appear at all local pubs, social clubs, galas and a string of wedding receptions around Cannock, Stafford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham.The Sundowners now comprised Roger Mosedale (lead guitar), Terry Lea (rhythm guitar- later replaced by Dave Danks), Barry Peacock (bass) and Colin (drums) but, they had three lead singers come and go namely, Roy Bourne, Derek Murkett and Kenny Williams. At the end of 1962 The Sundowners changed their name to Dante and The Infernos but, eventually parted company a year or so later. In early 1964 yet another customary knock on Colin’s front door and there stood four lads from one of Cannock’s most popular groups, The Telstars.They were seeking to replace their Micky Solom who was vacating the drumstool and Colin’s reputation as a solid drummer led them to his door. Colin jumped at the chance to join The Telstars who now comprised, George Davies (organ), Dave Jones (bass), Terry Heath (lead guitar) Ian ‘Sludge’ Lees (singer) and of course, Colin Corbett.
…”We put it about that we were on the lookout for a decent manager and so Gerry Southgate from Walsall Wood, who was alerted to the job via his secretary, came into our life. Gerry was a local businessman with no experience of music or showbiz but, saw The Telstars as another business challenge. I was now proudly sitting behind a new Premier kit in striking Blue Sparkle (like Brian Bennett’s in The Shadows).”
Gerry briefly picks up the story,
…”The first thing I did was to invest in new group gear (Fender and Vox Amps. Instruments and a Laney PA system etc) and fitted them out with proper stage suits. I also arranged for them to rehearse at The Primrose Club (later The Watersplash) in Walsall Wood and bought them a Commer van. Having smartened them up a bit I then got them to take their music more seriously and also stopped them from drinking beer on the stage”…
Gerry also arranged for The Telstars to visit top celebrity showbiz photographer Dezo Hoffman at his London studio which had seen the likes of The Beatles in front of his lens. The results speak for themselves when looking through the Telstars’ portfolio. Gerry marketed the boys by entering them for a range of talent and popularity contests where they always managed to achieve a space in the top three against typical entries of fifty or so groups. On Saturday7June,1964 they made a four track recording at Hollick and Taylor Studios in Handsworth for the Dial Label. Not least though, the lads appeared on BBC’s One Night Stand Programme on 26 January, 1965 – the same year that Colin and Rita met. They even had a fan club run by a secretary at Gerry’s earth moving business. Managers with the diligence of Gerry are an exception.
Colin,…”we played most nights on the Mary ‘Ma’ Regan ballroom circuit which included The Plaza Ballrooms at Old Hill and Handsworth, The Ritz Ballroom, Kings Heath, and The Brum Kavern Club in Small Heath where inevitably, we played at two venues per night and on one occasion we missed The Beatles literally by ten minutes. One night at The Brum Kavern Club John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) got up and gave my brand new American Cameo kit a really good thrashing. I liked John a lot and we became good friends. I learnt a lot off John. The money at Ma Regan’s was good but, you had to play hit parade (chart) covers and we duly turned out our share of The Kinks, The Searchers, The Beatles, The Hollies and yes, P.J. Proby. As well as Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall, Lafayette Club, Ship and Rainbow and The Woolpack Restaurant, we frequently played such Birmingham venues as, The Locarno, The West End Ballroom, The Pink Elephant Club, Silver Blades Ice Rink, Ringway Club and even the infamous Doll’s Club where strippers performed while we played”…
If you were a reveller in or around The Black Country during the 1960s you will have seen or heard of The Telstars!
Despite all Gerry Southgate’s attempts to hold The Telstars together they finally called it a day in late 1965. They had had a good innings but, singer Ian Lees had left to be replaced by Graham Lounge. Ian joined Finders Keepersand then The Montanas. and finally. Light Fantastic before embarking on a successful career as a comedian. Also, former Sundowners’ Roger Mosedale (lead guitar) and Barry Peacock (bass) replaced Terry Heath and Dave Jones but, in no time Colin, Barry and Roger left to form a vocal harmony trio. Colin and Rita got married in 1967 and the well intended trio folded. Colin continued as a jobbing musician mainly depping for other drummers. He also found lucrative work as a session drummer at a recording studio and also joined Zero 5 – a popular Cannock heavy rock band that did covers of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Uriah Heap. In 1965, they had recorded a pop single ‘Dusty/Just Like A Girl’ in the legendary Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios and released on the Columbia label.
…”/ didn’t really enjoy that type of music and was not one who sought fame in the music business even though, at times it sought me. I just enjoyed playing local and in my time I’ve played pop, country, jazz and dance bands I even played with Maynard Fergusson at Walsall Jazz Club (The Wheatsheaf). When I was just turned twenty I was even headhunted for The Pretty Things who were off on an American tour but, my dad persuaded me to complete my electrician apprenticeship, after which he said I could do whatever I wanted. Even so, my interest in drumming finally faded and I sold my kit. I thought I’d miss it but, I haven’t. However, I switched back to guitar, largely for my own enjoyment”…
In 1973, Colin and Rita decided to study ballroom dancing with a professional dance school. They made it a social occasion by taking ten other family members along with them.
Colin and Rita are still keen ballroom dancers. Image kindly supplied by Colin Corbett.
…”After three years, the teacher took Rita and I aside and suggested we should actually teach ballroom dancing so, we studied, got our ‘letters’ and started teaching. In 1981 was made redundant from my management position at Allied Bakeries (Sunblest) which was a spur to start our own business as professional ballroom dancing teachers. We used available halls, ballrooms and clubs rather than purchase our own studio. We also did twelve enjoyable years on the P&O cruise ships and saw the wide world into the bargain. What a job, eh!”…
Footnote: Colin is desperate to track down a copy of The Telstars’ Hollick and Taylor vinyl EP. If you can oblige, please contact him via the BCB Editor. [Or comment here – Bob]
A lovely one here from 1862, spotted by the wonderful David Evans, who I’m glad to hear is now getting well back into the swing of things.
It seems that in 1862 – over 150 years hence – people were moaning and driven to take legal action over the state of local roads, so it seems little has changed. Interestingly enough this case didn’t succeed, but it does raise some very interesting points about locations and place names.
I believe Walsall Wood Common would be Castlehill and Holly Bank today.
Was the Charles Forster here a rich man engaging in mischief?
If you have any comment, please feel free, as ever – comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. you can even give me a shout on social media.
The Boot Inn, which I blieve stood on the corner opposite Barons Court on Walsall Wood High Street, taken from ‘Memories of Old Walsall Wood’ by Bill Mayo and John Sale.
David Evans transcribed:
A charge against the surveyors of highways for Walsall Wood
At the Rushall petty sessions on Tuesday last before J E Bealey and Charles Forster Esq, Mr Barnes, of Lichfield appeared on behalf of Joseph Cooper to prefer a charge against the surveyors of highways for Walsall Wood, for having neglected to keep in good repair about 704 yards of the road leading from Walsall to Aldridge and also about 544 yards of the same road at another point. Mr Barnes produced a plan of the road in question, with the portions neglected to be repaired marked off, and called witnesses to prove the case, and the liability of the surveyor to make the repairs.
William Horton, Upper Stonnall, bricklayer, aged about 70, said he had resided at Stonnall all his life. When young he was apprenticed to John Simcox, who kept the Tiger Inn, Stonnall. He knew the Castle-lane and was in the habit of going along the lane till its junction with a road leading down the common across Shorter’s Row, past Holyhead-House, also a house occupied by James Hood, keeping close by the hedge till it reached a point on the turnpike road between the Boot and the Jockey public houses. Sometimes he passed along this road three times in a week and other times not above those times in a month, and never either going or returning was he stopped by any one. He had also seen other parties drive along the road. In those days the road was much better than now, there not being so much traffic along it as now.
Cross-examined by Mr Ebsworth – The road crosses the Walsall Wood common. There is another road, but not quite so near. The time he referred to was about fifty years ago, but had not used it for many years. There was a gate put upon the end of the Castle lane about thirty years ago. There is a cottage beside the gate. The cottage was built about twenty years ago, and a person named Hood, who resided in the cottage, kept the key of it. About fifty years ago the common was not so cut up as it is now, and he drove where he thought proper.
It’s be a perilous ride in a cart down that hill, I think…
By Mr Wilkinson – The gate was put up at the end of Castle lane for the purpose of keeping the cattle grazing upon the common from trespassing upon the land in the occupation of the farmers whose fields adjoined the lane. Samuel Swan, Aldridge, labourer, aged about 68, said he was born in the neighbourhood of Stonnall and with the exception of two years had resided there all his life. He had been in the habit of going and returning from Walsall by that road. The road which was by the side of the common was a bad road, but he had driven horses, carts and waggons along it, which was the direct road from Stonnall to his uncle’s farm at Pelsall.
Cross-examined – It was a bad road. Had turf all over, and he used to drive where he thought proper. There was no proper road.
By Mr Bealey – I did not always take the same track. I varied it like others.
By Mr Wilkinson – I never knew the road to be repaired by any one
Re-examined – It was when the track was bad I left it and went with my team upon the common.
By Mr Wilkinson – The road on one side separates the common from private property, and there are several gates from these premises communicating with the road.
At this stage of the proceedings the Bench suggested that evidence should now be called as to the repairs of the road. Mr Barnes accordingly called Ann Beardmore, aged 67, widow, Norwoods brick-kiln. She said her husband, Henry Cooper,was surveyor of the Walsall Wood district about forty years ago and did some repairs to that portion of the road which passed their farm, which lay between the Aldridge Road and the canal bridge.
Cross-examined – I knew did repair the road, because I saw him do it.He put a cart-load of stones upon it in the ruts caused by the wheels of the carts. The materials were got off his own land.
Re-examined – I cannot say where the stones were got from. I know we collected the stones off our fields and piled them up in a rick upon the common. He may have taken those.
By Mr Wilkinson – about 300 yards were all that was repaired
Frances Hood,wife of James Hood, Holly-bank cottage,aged 73, said she had lived in Holly-bank cottage fifty-one years last Lady Day. The cottage was one the side of the road, but there was no proper road. She remembered Henry Cooper being surveyor. She refused to pay the highway rate till the road was repaired, and Mr Henry Cooper repaired the road. He did the repair on two different days, and then she paid the rate.
By Mr Wilkinson – she never on any other occasion refused to pay the rates till the road was repaired
Cross-examined – I have paid every one who was surveyor until an arrangement was come to by my landlady, Miss Billston. I am not aware Mr Green is assistant way warden. I know Mr Arblaster. Yes, I have paid him highway rates. Mr Arblaster – you never did. The stones you threw in to the ruts by Mr Cooper may be seen to this day
John Leadbetter, aged 64, now an inmate of the Walsall Union, said for about nine years previous to last Christmas said he had done certain repairs just to the edge of the common, but not a shovelful was put upon the common.
This being the case for the application, the Bench consulted for a short time, and said the case had so signally failed that the Bench did not think it necessary to require the opposition to call witness.”
Walsall Free press and General Advertiser, 06 September, 1862
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