BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog

This remarkable lady is working hard to make the place we live just that little bit nicer. Image Kindly supplied by Janet Davies.

Just a quick note here that I would like to express my huge admiration and appreciation to his lady, whose name is Yoke Van Der Meer – this wonderful woman leads the Gardening Club at the Community Centre in Brownhills and is responsible, with club members and volunteers, for the beautiful displays of flowers both at the centre and in Brownhills High Street.

Since the loss of the Town Centre Partnership, the Brownhills flower displays have been taken on by the Community Association and have been as ever, gorgeous.

Too often I hear people grumbling about our town, but people like Yoke and and her crew of volunteers are working hard to make this place just that little bit better for us all. I thank you all. You don’t get enough thanks. My hat is doffed in your honour.

There’s loads of information here about what Yoke has been doing at the Centre.

Janet Davies, from the Community Association said:

Our top horticulturalist Yoke Van Der Meer (ex-Kew Gardens!) busy on the High Street planting perennials in a partnership project with Walsall Council. Join her at gardening club on Mondays 1-3pm at Brownhills Community Centre.

You can find out more about this lovely project right in the heart of Brownhills at their web page here.

Gardening Club / Flower Arranging

Plants are grown from seeds in the greenhouse, potted on and then transplanted into raised beds, hanging baskets and containers. Vegetables and fruits are also grown from young tender plants to ready to eat when ripened and full of flavour. During the winter months, when it is too cold for gardening the project turns to flower arranging using some of the dried flowers and stems etc from the summer months.

Images very Kindly supplied by Tony Kulik

A post today that was supposed to go up yesterday, but I was having such a bad day I pretty much gave up, so apologies to Stuart Cowley and Tony Kulik for neglecting this post with more rumination on the fascinating subject of Hilton Hall.

Stuart now works at a company in the grounds of Hilton Hall, and has previously explored this often-overlooked but fascinating place in this article dealing with the restoration and history of the family who owned it. In this followup, Stuart finds that the Portobello Tower at the hall was the work of a rather important architect…

Stuart is of course, he lovely chap who wrote beautifully about his childhood at Chasewater, local marching band culture and history, his involvement in the golden days of local radio and he also shared a wonderful local history book for Chasetown.

Following Stuart’s article, long term reader and friend of the blog Tony Kulik got in touch with a lovely gallery of photos from Hilton Hall which I feature at the top of this post.

It turns out Tony remembers the Orangery derelict:

The glass domed building was the ‘orangery’ – it was derelict when we were kids in the 60’s and camped there with the scouts – it had an raised slab in the centre that the druids used as a sacrificial altar (or so we told to frighten us to death as we camped just 20 yards away from it in woods that have now been cleared).

The Portobello tower erected to commerate the admirals exploits lies several hundred yards up the south west hillside – it is viewable from near Junctiont 1 of the M54

Thanks to both lads for lighting up a lovely bit of local history I for one was never more than peripherally aware of the existence of.

The last article proved surprisingly popular, and if you have anything to add, please feel free: comment here or mail in – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Hilton Hall as depicted on Apple Maps. Note the folly on the left. Click for a larger version.

Stuart Cowley wrote:

You may remember the other week me mentioning a tower in the grounds of Hilton Hall Essington, picture below:

The Portobello Tower – image Kindly supplied by Stuart Cowley.

This description from the Staffspastrack site has got me digging for more information and as usual created more questions than answers: 

Portobello tower built 1739-1765

Description:The Portobello Tower is a hexagonal, embattled tower built to commemorate Admiral Vernon’s capture of Portobello in 1739. It was perhaps designed by Rochard Trubshaw of Little Haywood and built between 1739 and 1765.

Hilton Park passed to the Vernon family in 1547. The present hall was built for Henry Vernon in the early 18th century. The Vernons sold the hall around 1951 and for a while it was owned by a Catholic Order of Nuns. The Hall was the head office of Tarmac between 1985 and 1999.

I was curious to find out more about Richard Trubshaw (above has him as Rochard, I think that may be an error) with him being a relatively local chap from Little Haywood so started a search on the net.

Turns out that the Trubshaw family over the generations have helped to provide this area and beyond with some of our well known landmarks. I don’t know how this has passed me by until now.

This from the Oxford index:

Oxford index

English family of architects, master builders and engineers. At least 18 members of this family are recorded as architects or civil engineers, from Thomas Trubshaw, who built the tower of Armitage Church, Staffs, in 1632, to Wolstan Vyvyan Trubshaw, ARIBA (1893–1981). The family was associated with Staffordshire, of which James Trubshaw (1746–1808) and his grandson Charles (1811–62) were both County Surveyors. The first to be of any importance as an architect was Richard 

There is so much information on the net that I can’t do the family justice in this piece alone so it is well worth delving for anyone interested but Richard also had a hand with the following:

St Chads Church Stafford

Parish Church of St Deiniol’s Wrexham

St Bartholomew Norton In The Moors Stoke On Trent

Just as interesting is the information on James Trubshaw linking him with Colwich and Rugeley, again, I can’t improve on the information to be found on Wikipedia so here it is:

James Trubshawb (13 February 1777 – 28 October 1853) was an English builder, architect and civil engineer.^[1][2]His civil engineering works include the construction of the Grosvenor Bridge in Chester, Cheshire, then the longest stone span. He also pioneered the technique of underexcavation with the straightening the leaning tower of St Chad’s in Wybunbury, Cheshire.

Early life and career

He was born to stonemason, builder and engineering contractor, James Trubshaw and his second wife Elizabeth (née Webb), at the Mount near Colwichin Staffordshire, the second son in a family of seven sons and two daughters.^[1][2][3]He was educated in Rugeley, but left school aged only eleven to start work in his father’s business.^[2]His earliest experience included working on buildings such as Sandon Hall, Fonthill Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. In 1795, he worked on Wolseley Bridge near Colwich, and many of his early projects were bridges.^[1][2]

On the death of his father in 1808, Trubshaw started a building business in Stone; an early commission was to build Ashcombe Hall.^[2][4]He worked for a time in partnership with the Lichfield architect Thomas Johnson (1794–1865), who was to become his son-in-law.^[5][6]In 1827, Trubshaw became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and presented several papers there.^[3][7]He later became the chief engineer of the Trent and Mersey Canal Company, and superintended the construction of reservoirs, feeders and railways for the company.^[1]

Although he received only a limited education, he was a gifted practical engineer.^[3]His obituary in The Gentleman’s Magazine described him as a man “of original genius, of great natural talent, and persevering energy … gifted with an instinctive perception of all great mechanical principles, uniformly guided by excellent common sense.”^[1]

Works

Bridges

His best-known work is the construction of the Grosvenor Bridge over the River Deeat Chester, Cheshire (1827–33). Designed by Thomas Harrison, the project had been dismissed as impractical by prominent engineers of the time including Thomas Telford.^[1][3]Its single stone span of 200 feet was considered the longest in the world when it was completed in 1833.^[3][8][9]The Institution of Civil Engineers, to whom Trubshaw presented models of the bridge showing its method of construction, described his methods as having “excited the admiration of the Profession.”^[1][3][7]Trubshaw himself said that he was “convinced the arch will be the largest and finest stone arch in Europe and will consequently be a lasting monument to the glory and superiority of Great Britain.”^[10]

He also constructed many other bridges, including Exeter Bridge over the Derwentin Derby, Derbyshire (1850; now demolished).^[1]

Leaning tower of St Chad’s

Trubshaw is also known for stabilising the leaning tower of the church of St Chad’s Church, Wybunbury, Cheshire, in 1832.^[1][3][11]At that date, the 29.3 m tower inclined to the north east by 1.6 m, due to its location on sloping sandy soil with underlying saliferous beds, and it had tilted an average of 12 mm per year since 1790.^[3]Trubshaw pioneered a method which involved no “wonderful machining or secret inventions” and was described in the Architectural Magazineof 1836:

“Mr Trubshaw, after examining well the outside of the foundations, commenced

digging down the inside. After having got below the level of the footings (lowest stones of the foundation), he proceeded to bore a row of auger-holes clear through under the foundations of the high side, the holes nearly touching each other. These holes he filled with water; and, corking them up with a piece of marl, let them rest for the night. In the morning, the water had softened the marl to a puddle; and the building gradually began to sink, another row of holes were bored, but, not exactly so far as the first row. They were filled with water as before; and the high side not only kept sinking, but the fracture in the centre kept gradually closing up. This process was

continued till the steeple became perfectly straight, and the fracture imperceptible.”^[3]

This is the earliest documented application of the technique of underexcavation,^[3]which has since been successfully used to stabilise the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City(1993–98)^[3][12]and the Leaning Tower of Pisa(1999–2001).^[13]Trubshaw’s work accords with modern conservation principles as it was invisible, used the minimum intervention required and could be reversed or repeated if necessary. Despite the extreme instability of the ground, the straightened tower of St Chad’s stood without further intervention for over 150 years; it was restabilised using reinforced concrete foundations in 1989.^[3]

Other works

Trubshaw’s other works include a column commemorating the landing of George IVat Ramsgate, Kent (1821),^[1]Ilam Hall, Staffordshire, near Ashbourne(1821–26),^[14]Weston House, Warwickshire(now demolished)^[1]and the orangery and lodges of Heath House, Checkley, Staffordshire (1830–1).^[15]

He designed several Commissioners’ Churches, including St James’ Church, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (1833–34), St James’ Church, Congleton, Cheshire (1847–48)^[16]and Holy Trinity, Hanley, Staffordshire(1848–49).^[17][18]He also rebuilt St Michael’s Church, Great Wolford, Warwickshire^[19]and St Lawrence’s Church, Chorlton, Staffordshire.^[20]

Personal life

Trubshaw was described as tall and athletic.^[1]In 1801, he married Mary Bott of Stone; they had three sons and three daughters. Their eldest son, Thomas Trubshaw (1802–42), also became an architect; their eldest daughter married the architect Thomas Johnson, and their daughter Susanna was a poet and essayist.^[1][2]The family settled in Little Haywoodnear Colwich in Staffordshire in 1809, and Trubshaw remained there until his death in 1853.^[1]He is buried at Colwich, where the parish church contains a memorial to him

As mentioned, he worked for a while and then was related to a Thomas Johnson, a Lichfield architect. More on this gentleman can be found on the Lichfield Lore site here:

https://lichfieldlore.co.uk/2012/07/30/another-johnson/

So that just covers some of the work of just two members of the Trubshaw family, what do we know about the rest of the family?

This is a new one on me, and one of the better shots of Mount Zion, situated as it was, there were no really decent photos of the front of what was a very dark, austere building. Image found on eBay by [Howmuch?] – click for a larger version.

After a long period in exile away from the ‘Hills, long time blog helper and history ferret [Howmuch?] returns from foreign shores with some images he’s spotted in various auctions on services eBay and eBid.

These are some good ones for a snowy Sunday afternoon, and I’m particularly interested in the one above, which I can’t recall ever having seen before. It’s a view looking up High Street towards Shire Oak, and shows the long-gone Mount Zion chapel on the right, which would have been about where the access to Tesco from the High Street is today, in the region of Swan Flooring.

Edit later that day: As the comments below show, I have that completely wrong, sorry. This is the Wesleyan Chapel, which was indeed on the corner of Pier Street. Thanks to David Evans and Reg Fullelove for putting me straight. Apologies.

This is actually the same card as featured in the ‘Boys on the Corner’ post as linked below, but it’s darker so I didn’t recognise it. What a pillock I am. 

In the distance, the Wesleyan Church, which would be on the corner of Pier Street. From the ladies dresses I’d say this was turn of the last century. Interesting how many properties on the left appear to be normal houses, not shops – or is that an illusion?

Is this related to other iconic shots of Brewes Corner? What do you think? Image found on eBay by [Howmuch?] – click for a larger version.

The above image of Brewe’s Corner – looking up High Street from what would now be the Miner Island, with Lichfield Road to the left – seems to bear some relation to the iconic shots from the same position that include the Roberts Brewery behind the Station Hotel which would be out of shot on the right – you can see those images here.

I’m puzzled by the tent arrangement in the fence on the right behind the man standing, looking at the photo. Any ideas? I’d say again, turn of the last century or thereabouts.

An unusual view of Walsall Wood High Street, but something looks wrong. Is it distorted? Image found on eBay by [Howmuch?] – click for a larger version.

Rear of the above card. Image found on eBay by [Howmuch?] – click for a larger version.

The above postcard postally used in 1909 shows an unusual view of Walsall Wood High Street – but something looks a bit wrong about the tram. Its it just bad reproduction, or has it been doctored as many period postcards were? Can the Wood contingent help here please? Also, help deciphering the writing would be lovely please.

Finally, this one, postally used I think in 1910 which has no picture, but is addressed to a place of interest: The Croft, which was a large house near the Hussey Arms on Chester Road. That ties in with this interesting post here about the history of the Swan Works clay pit at Birch Coppice which I was hoping would generate more interest but seems to have died a death.

A blank-front card sent to The Croft, Brownhills. Image found on eBay by [Howmuch?] – click for a larger version.

If you can help with any of these, or fill in the gaps or have other comments, please don’t hesitate to contribute: Coomment on this post or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Howdles Lane today, via the magic of Apple Maps. But where was Doody’s? Click for a larger version.

A really quick question that a reader raised in the week I’m having trouble finding anything out about, so if readers can help that’s be really wonderful.

The question is this: Do you know anything about a club that used to be on Howdles Lane (said to be ‘in the dip’) called The Castle Club, or Doody’s?

I’ve heard the name Doody’s before. What period was the club operating in, what was it (was it a Working Mens Club, a non-political or what?) – and what would be really good is memories of pictures.

I’m hoping Andy ‘Cap’n Ahab’ Dennis may have some input here.

Come on folks, what do you know please? Comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Would Doody’s have been present in this 1976 image of the Howdles Lane area from 1976? Image Kindly supplied by Lichfield District Council. Click for a larger version.

‘You need to remember the parking charges oh great one. It won’t be wizard if you get your Corsa clamped. And it’s only a few quid you old tightwad.’ Image from Amazon.

There’s a really great exhibition happening right now and continuing until 21st April 2018 at Chasewater Innovation Centre – Tolkien in Staffordshire, which is on at the Innovation Centre from 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.

It’s not often realised that the author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy had strong connections with Staffordshire, but he spent lots of time in the county, not far from Cannock Chase and Shugborough which are said to be been inspirational to him.

The exhibition explores many aspects of JRR Tolkien’s life here, including his service in the Great War.

This is a fascinating exhibition I’ve seen elsewhere and it really is worth a visit – but bear in mind the new parking charges at Chasewater so you don’t get caught out.

Staffordshire County Council wrote:

People interested in celebrating the author of The Lord of the Rings’ and his links with Staffordshire will get the chance at a unique exhibition.

This fascinating insight into the early years of JRR Tolkien, one of the world’s best-loved writers, and his time spent in Staffordshire, has already been seen by over 220,000 visitors since it launched in March 2016.

Now the exhibition is set to visit Chasewater Country Park, from Tuesday 6 March to Saturday 21 April.

Highlights of the exhibition include rare photos and copies of original sketches by Tolkien, not seen in Staffordshire since they left with the author in 1918, specially loaned by The Tolkien Estate and Bodleian Library.

Gill Heath, Libraries Chief at Staffordshire County Council said: “This is a fascinating exhibition with thousands of people already getting the chance to see it. It’s clear that Staffordshire had a profound effect on this famous writer’s formative years, and we’re very proud of this connection.

“The ‘Tolkien in Staffordshire’ story is one of war, comradeship, creativity, love and loss and this exhibition offers visitors a rare chance to learn more about the author’s stay in Staffordshire and what it was like to be a soldier in the Great War.”

Tolkien was a character and came out with one of my favourite quotes ‘I wake up every day and think to myself: Wonderful. Another day of pipe smoking.’ Image from Fandom.

Arriving in Staffordshire on 17 August 1915, JRR Tolkien would begin a connection with the county that would span the remaining years of the Great War and provide inspiration for the mythology and geography of what we now know as Middle-earth.

During the Great War, Second Lieutenant J.R.R. Tolkien of the Lancashire Fusiliers trained in Staffordshire before he was sent to serve on the front lines of the infamously bloody Battle of the Somme.

After contracting trench fever at the Battle of the Somme in June 1916, Tolkien was shipped back to Staffordshire to recover with his new wife Edith, in Great Haywood. The Tolkiens later briefly took up residence in a cottage at Gipsy Green, Teddesley Park, near Penkridge. During this time, he began writing his earliest fantasy works for what is now called Middle-Earth.

J.R.R. Tolkien – Soldier and Myth-Maker” is organised by The Haywood Society, supported by Staffordshire County Council’s Libraries and Arts Service and the Museum of Cannock Chase, and funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund.

The exhibition will be at Chasewater Visitor Centre, and will be available Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm. For further details visit www.staffordshiregreatwar.com or the Staffordshire Libraries webpages at www.staffordshire.gov.uk.

Forthcoming tour Dates:
• Eccleshall, Tuesday 24 April – Saturday 2 June
• Norton Canes, Tuesday 5 June – Saturday 14 July
• Hednesford, Tuesday 17 July – Saturday 1 September
• Shenstone, Tuesday 4 September – Saturday 13 October
• Penkridge Library, Tuesday 16 October – Saturday

Looks like a good event.

Just a heads up that there’s a charity fair planned this Saturday 10th March 2018 at Aldridge Methodist Church, Anchor Road in the town centre, all in aid of Brain Tumour Support.

It runs from 11am to 4pm and all the usual stuff will be there including stalls, crafts, refreshments and all manner of fun and games for all the family.

Could be just the thing if you’re looking for a nice event as the weather improves…

Anne James. Image supplied by West Midlands Police.

Following the shocking murer of 74 year old Anne James in her Walsall Home on Wednesday 28th February 2018, police enquiries have proceeded apace, and a man from Walsall Wood has be arrested and charged with murder.

West Midlands Police said:

We’ve charged a man with murdering his own grandmother.

Greg Irvin, from Walsall Wood, is accused of stabbing 74-year-old Anne James to death at her home.

It’s alleged the 25-year-old attacked her with a knife at the address in Doveridge Place, Highgate, sometime between midday and 5pm on Wednesday 28 February.

The killing of Anne James is a brutal and shocking murder and I’m sure readers will join with me in expressing my horror and sincerest condolences to the bereaved.

Whilst I understand this is a shocking incident, I would ask readers to be respectful and thoughtful in online comment: Criminal trials can and have collapsed in response to social media speculation. None of us wants that.

I would ask that anyone with any information please contacts West Midlands Police on 101, any of the methods here or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Also on a sad note today, Steve Swain has asked if I’d share the details of the funeral arrangements for his mother Sheila Swain, who passed away last month following her battle with dementia.

Sheila will have been a familiar face to many in Brownhills and Pelsall, having lived in Shire Oak for many years.

My condolences, and those of the readership, go out to Steve and his family at this difficult time.

Steve Swain wrote:

Sheila Swain, familiar to many in Brownhills, sadly passed away in February. Image from Steve Swain.

Sheila Swain

Friends and acquaintances in Pelsall and Brownhills: Especially for Residents of Commonside where Mom lived since 1954.

Update on moms funeral. It is on Wednesday 7th March 2018, her cortage will leave my house, and will travel past the shop in Norton Road, at around 1pm, then via moms bungalow in Commonside Brownhills ataround 1.15.

Her funeral will be at Perry Barr crematorium at 2pm. Followed by a wake in her memory at the Oakland’s lounge, Pelsall Community Centre.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory in lieu of flowers can do so by following the link to her favorite charity below.

Click on the image to donate at JustGiving. com.

Hilton Hall – a great house, saved and restored from the edge of destruction. Image from the Hilton Hall website.

A really interesting piece here reaches me from old friend of the blog Stuart Cowley about a place not far from here that I know very little about, and hadn’t previously considered: Hilton Hall.

Stuart, you’ll remember if you read the blog regularly has written wonderful articles previously about his childhood at Chasewater, local marching band culture and history, his involvement in the golden days of local radio and he also shared a wonderful local history book for Chasetown.

It’s an honour and a joy to feature work here by Stuart and of this quality, and it’s also nice to feature subjects that are so interesting, but also a little out of our normal range – so thanks to Stuart for that.

I’m sure readers will want to contribute and comment – and I have a feeling that there Peter Cutler may have some stuff to say. Feel free: comment here or mail in – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Hilton Hall as depicted on Apple Maps. Note the folly on the left. Click for a larger version.

Stuart Cowley wrote:

Hilton Hall

Afternoon chap,

Up until about three weeks ago I hadn’t given the place where I’ve gone to work, Hilton Hall, much thought and it had never occurred to me why Hilton park services had that name. I’ve travelled past the high brick wall on the Wolverhampton Road, Featherstone without giving any thought to why it was there and a few times whilst on the M54 I’ve caught sight of what I thought was just a small folly of some sort or even some old mine workings in the trees of that area off the M54 junction and never given it a second thought until now. The place is a little gem and full of history so I thought I’d highlight it for your blog, regardless of it sitting in either Essington or Featherstone either way it is very much local. I visited it briefly on the way to the cinema at Wolverhampton one day before I started there and my eldest daughter took a random photograph that really captures the beauty of the place well showingthe main building and part of the moat:

Image supplied by Stuart Cowley.

The place is now used as offices and also as a wedding venue and has a small dedicated team that look after the building and grounds. It is a haven for wildlife of all sorts and is a credit to all that work for the complex. There is an interesting structure next to the lake that has been restored over the years.

These photographs from the Hilton Hall website:

As if the beauty of the place isn’t enough, I do find the history of it fascinating.

I can’t improve on what is detailed in Wikipedia so have lifted text from it:

History of the building

The original manor house was commissioned by Sir Henry Swinnerton early in the 14th century.^[1] In 1547 the marriage of Margaret Swynnerton to Henry Vernon of Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire took place: both were members of an important recusant families.^[1] The house and estate were inherited by Margaret in 1562, on the death of her father Humphrey Swynnerton, the deed being dated 8 May 1564,^[2] and incorporated into the Vernon estates on her death.^[1]

The house was rebuilt, in early Georgian style, in about 1720 by Henry Vernon, High Sheriff of Staffordshire.^[3] The main block is of three storeys and carries giant corner pilasters capped by urns.^[3]

The Vernon family erected an unusual hexagonal tower in the grounds, which they dedicated to the memory of Admiral Edward Vernonand his capture of Portobelo, Panamafrom the Spanish in 1739.^[1]The monument is Grade I listed.^[3]

The family sold the estate to the nuns of the Order of St Joseph of Bordeaux for use as a convent in 1955.^[4]Between 1986 and 1999 it was occupied by Tarmac plcas a corporate headquarters.^[5]It is now a commercial office and business centre.^[6]

The tower that was erected is what I think sits just away from the house and is partially hidden by a small group of trees, dedicated to Edward Vernon, it’s worth knowing more about him and one of the battles he was involved in:

Admiral Edward Vernon (12 November 1684 – 30 October 1757) was an English naval officer. Vernon was born in Westminster and went to Westminster School. He joined the Royal Navy in 1700 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1702. After five years as Lieutenant, he was appointed Captain in 1706. His first command was HMS Rye, part of the fleet of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell.

Vernon had a long and distinguished career, rising to the rank of Admiralafter 46 years service. He fought during the War of the Spanish Succession, rising to the rank of post-captain and commanding the West Indies Station. During the War of Jenkins’ Ear Vernon was a Rear Admiral and commanded the Jamaica Station. In 1739 he was responsible for the capture of Porto Bello, seen as expunging the failure of Admiral Hosier there in a previous conflict. However, a later amphibious operation against Cartagena de Indias suffered a severe defeat.

Vernon served as MP on three occasions and was outspoken on naval matters in Parliament, making him a controversial figure.

The origin of the name “grog” for rum diluted with water is attributed to Vernon. He was known for wearing coats made of grogram cloth, earning him the nickname of Old Grog, which in turn came to mean diluted rum. The use of citrus juice helped to avoid scurvy. Mount Vernon, the home of the first American president George Washington, was named after Vernon. Washington’s elder brother Lawrence served under Edward Vernon, and gave it his name.

The British had a disaster in the Blockade of Porto Bello under Admiral Hosier in 1726. As part of the campaigns of the War of Jenkins’ Ear, the port was attacked on November 21, 1739, and captured by a British fleet of six ships, commanded by Admiral Edward Vernon. The British victory created an outburst of popular acclaim throughout the British Empire. More medals were struck for Vernon than for any other 18th-century British figure. Across the British Isles, Portobello was used in place and street names in honor of the victory, such as Portobello Road in London, the Portobello area in Edinburgh, and the Portobello Barracks in Dublin.^[5]

Edward Vernon – Image from Wikimedia Commons.,

What I can’t work out is the link between the early Vernons and Edward in terms of family tree. I’ve also been unable to confirm if the folly in the grounds is the actual memorial referred to.

There is drone footage that at 6 minutes in shows the folly in the distance top right.

I work in the converted stable block and I have read somewhere of a link between the stables and the first Derby winner although I can’t pin that down as fact.

Another film shows it from another perspective:

And another showing the folly in the trees but not a clear shot:

So in just under a month the place is growing on me but maybe one or two readers of the blog can fill in the blanks so that I can appreciate the place even more.

Regards
Stuart

Friday evening’s snowfall was heavy and prolonged – I was out there. Gorgeous but it didn’t half cause some problems!

Couple of important updates here that were posted by Walsall Council late yesterday afternoon (Friday 2nd March 2018) regarding gritting and refuse collections – I believe some folk in Brownhills were due a waste collection, and remarkably, the bin crews went out, but obviously were hampered by conditions and didn’t finish their full round.

What I will say is this – I saw gritters yesterday around Brownhills, the roads had been well gritted but late afternoon end in the evening the snow was falling too fast for the grit to be effective, as one would expect.

Roads are going to be bad for a while, particularly with the lack of traffic. Stay in if you don’t have to travel, and if you do, allow plenty of time and take it steady. If your bin hasn’t been emptied, leave it out and crews will get to you when they can.

It’ll be spring again in a few days, hopefully…

Walsall Council posted:

Image supplied by Walsall Council.

Gritting/snow clearance update

Since yesterday morning, in preparation for the current severe weather, our gritting crews have salted the agreed gritting routes five times, covering some 1090 miles and laying down 420 tonnes of salt to keep the traffic moving as safely as possible.

As predicted there has been a weather forecast for further snowfall, which has now begun with light showers. However from around 4pm through to 8pm, the snowfall is likely to become heavier and could produce a further 4-7cm of snow accumulations. We sent the gritting crews out again at 3pm and further treatments of the agreed gritting routes are likely to take place.

We have been receiving a high number of requests to clear snow drifts that built up over night and have provided assistance in many locations. Please be aware though that we may have to scale back on this additional activity for a while to ensure we have sufficient resources in place to deal with the forthcoming weather and keep the main roads moving.

To help keep our residents safe, Clean and Green’s street cleansing staff have been deployed to the district centres and our cemeteries today to spread salt by hand.

It’s grim up north…. Walsall. Image from Where the Journey takes Me blog.

Bin service update

Our bin crews are all back in now and have gratefully headed home to thaw out after a very challenging day. We knew we wouldn’t be able to get to all of the bins today, but the crews pushed on and, despite it being hard going on the snowy footways, managed to collect far more than we thought they’d be able to. Well done to our Walsall binnies!

For the residents we didn’t manage to get to today, we’re sorry, but it really was tough going for the crews today, so please bear with us. Please leave your bins out because the crews plan on going out again tomorrow to try to catch up as much as possible. Obviously, we’ve had quite a lot more snow fall so far this afternoon, so much will depend on the condition of the roads and footways in the morning.

It’s beautifully dramatic out there, but it’s any colour you want as long as it’s grey.

So, the Beast from the East (I’m sure I worked with her once) has made itself felt and we’ve had some really quite grim weather conditions here in Brownhills over the last 24-48 hours, and now we have powdery, dry snow to compound the misery.

First up: School closure info. You can check out the latest on the Walsall Council Facebook Page here, their twitter here, but they seem to be doing running updates as and when to this post here.

There’s also a Facebook page here for Walsall School Closures although obviously, being crowdsourced, the veracity of information there cannot be guaranteed. The main post for closures on that page is embedded below. It seems to be undergoing edits as new info becomes available.

Click the ‘see more’ link to see the list in full.

If you have any details to add, comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.

Staffordshire school closures are listed at this page here.

Walsall College has not mentioned whether it will be open or not at the time of posting (Thursday night), so keep an eye on their Facebook page here.

Brownhills Community Centre have said they’re open but may close early if weather deteriorates.

Ogley Hay Nursery is apparently closed too.

Chasewater Innovation Centre has posted with it’s customary terseness that the site is closed, and you’re to call someone else if you get stuck on site there. Charmed, I’m sure.

The authorities have been gritting and will continue to do so, although with temperatures very low (-5 degrees C at 4:30pm in Brownhills) and more snow due before daylight, it’s unlikely grit will be effective so it’s going to be very icy out.

Walsall Council said:

Gritting teams will be out treating the agreed gritting routes many times, both day and night, to try to keep us all moving safely. All routes comprise roads on the primary network and other roads carrying substantial volumes of traffic together with some roads with high risk of early ice formation. Footways are not routinely treated and neither are general residential estate roads, public rights of way and car parks. Self-help grit bins will be replenished as necessary.

I reiterate that grit is not fairy dust and that people’s expectations as regards it’s effectiveness seem rather too high. Take care folks. Want to grumble we don’t cope as well as other countries? Read this great Economist article here, pointed up by old adversary and nice bloke Dan Slee.

Gritting operations throughout Walsall BOROUGH have been pretty intensive all week, but the conditions – dry, and very cold – are not optimal for road salt to work.

Clean and Green also had this to say about refuse collections:

At present, it is our intention that the crews will be out tomorrow (Friday 2nd March 2018). The roads will be assessed very early in the morning to ensure conditions are safe. If your bins are scheduled for collection tomorrow, Friday 2 March, please leave your bins out and we will collect them as soon as is practically possible.

Household Waste Recycling Centres (tips)

Fryers Road is closed today and tomorrow, as usual.

At present, it is our intention that Merchants Way will be open tomorrow as usual.

Don’t be too upset if the bin wagon doesn’t arrive – they are awful things to drive on icy roads and no refuse collection is worth endangering anyone.

Public transport – all you can do here is check operator Facebook and Social Media accounts before you travel. National Express West Midlands (Facebook page here)

As to rail services, best check Network Rail here.

Walsall Housing Group have not said if they’ll be open or not – check their Facebook page here.

The coos at Highfields near Chasewater are clearly made of tough stuff.

One thing I will ask today is that whilst I understand the weather is frustrating, can we please endeavour to be kind to those poor folks answering phones and manning social media for organisations you may have issues with. They are humans, and doing a job – they deserve a bit of respect and humanity. Thanks.

Walsall Council posted the following message regarding the weather situation on their Facebook page late Thursday afternoon. I applaud them on this and it’s well worth a read.

Severe weather message

Based on the best information currently available, we are expecting the snow this afternoon to be followed by much heavier snow in the early hours of Friday morning. Added to this, more snow is expected tomorrow afternoon.

Our priorities over the coming days are:
• the safety of our residents, and in particular, our most vulnerable residents
• maintaining critical services

Looking after our most vulnerable residents

Measures are in place to ensure carers, other social care workers and emergency contact officers are able to attend to our most vulnerable residents around the clock.

It is important to look after yourself but also be a winter friend and look out for your elderly or vulnerable neighbours. For more tips on keeping warm and keeping well in this cold weather visit http://healthywalsall.co.uk/keeping-warm-keeping-well-in-wa…

Gritting

Gritting teams will be out treating the agreed gritting routes many times, both day and night, to try to keep us all moving safely. All routes comprise roads on the primary network and other roads carrying substantial volumes of traffic together with some roads with high risk of early ice formation. Footways are not routinely treated and neither are general residential estate roads, public rights of way and car parks. Self-help grit bins will be replenished as necessary.

Schools

It is possible that many Walsall schools will be closed tomorrow, but we would emphasise that the decision to close schools is made by the Head Teacher/governing body and then communicated to parents and carers directly.

Bins

Crews are out today, but may not be able to complete their rounds. If your bin is not emptied today, leave your bin out and we will collect it as soon as is practically possible.

At present, it is our intention that the crews will be out tomorrow. The roads will be assessed very early in the morning to ensure conditions are safe. If your bins are scheduled for collection tomorrow, Friday 2 March, please leave your bins out and we will collect them as soon as is practically possible.

Household Waste Recycling Centres (tips)

Fryers Road is closed today and tomorrow, as usual.

At present, it is our intention that Merchants Way will be open tomorrow as usual.

Markets

The markets at Bloxwich, Walsall and Willenhall will not be open on Friday 2 March or Saturday 3 March.

Cemeteries

Cemeteries are open today and are currently expected to be open tomorrow if conditions are safe.

Sport & Leisure

Leisure centres are open today and are currently expected to be open tomorrow (Friday). However, some services may be restricted and the centres may close early if conditions warrant this.

Falls prevention sessions and supervised jogs for tonight and tomorrow (Friday) have been cancelled.

New Art Gallery

The New Art Gallery is currently expected to be open as usual.

Libraries

All libraries are planned to remain open, subject to safe levels of staffing being available. If safe staff access is a problem, there may be some reduction in opening hours.

The Mobile Library and Home Library Service will not operate
The Leather Museum will open as normal – again subject to safe levels of staffing being available.

Forest Arts Centre

Bookings for tonight and tomorrow night have been cancelled. The centre will be open in the daytime tomorrow.

A remarkable collection of trophies. Can you help identify the darters? Image Kindly supplied by Andy Dennis.

Old friend of the blog Andy Dennis has been in touch from his new home in a narrowboat somewhere on the canals of the UK, I think perhaps up north – anyway, Andy has sent in a most interesting picture, which I think readers will be able to help with.

I know very little about the Prince of Wales pub on the Watling Street, which has been a popular and enduring boozer over the years. I’d be interested in any memories or materials you have regarding it.

Despite Andy no longer being resident in Brownhills, he’s still keeping a fascinating blog, which I commend to all readers with an interest not just in local history but wider genealogy too.

Andy Dennis wrote:

Hello Bob

I have this picture of what I think are darts players from the Prince of Wales, Watling Street.  The man standing right is ‘uncle’ Bill Taylor, bricklayer, and son of Joseph Taylor the master bricklayer you have featured previously. There were two cups for darts, Prince of Wales, on the mantelpiece won respectively by Bill himself (who I think was Prince of Wales Champion) and Derek Jones.

I am hoping that your followers might be able to identify some of the others.

Date? The young man next to Bill is (I think) Derek Jones.  Therein lies a clue.  Derek was born in 1928 and taken in by Bill and wife Gertie, but, as soon as he was old enough he left, never to be seen again.  On that basis the picture cannot be later than 1949.

The back is stamped:

“Phone:- 2454
Ernest J Welch
Press Photographer
96 Wednesbury Road
Walsall

Best wishes
Andy

Thanks to Andy for a great enquiry, and for hopefully opening up a new history thread. I wish him the best with life afloat and hope he keeps cosy in the oncoming cold weather.

If you can help Andy with this enquiry, please do – either comment here or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com – cheers.

Wonder which paper Ernest worked for, or if he was freelance? Image Kindly supplied by Andy Dennis.

Brian White, who will be sadly missed. Image from Mark White’s appeal page on JustGiving.

I was contacted today by good friend of the blog Susan Forster who has some tragic news, and asked me if I’d share it with readers – sadly, well known local Brian White who helped amongst other things with Brownhills Canalside Festival over the years, has passed away after suffering cancer.

My sincere condolences go out to Brian’s family and friends, and I’m sure in that I speak for all readers of the blog.

Susan said:

I write to let you know of the sad passing of Brian White (Bill to some), a local man who loved to watch the local footie teams and huge supporter of the canals, helping out where he could at the Brownhills Canal Festivals an avid Geocacher and a very proud family man.

Sadly Brian lost his fight with cancer on 13th February 2018.

The funeral will be at 3.30 pm on Friday 2nd March 2018 at Fradley Crematorium, Fradley Ln, Fradley, Lichfield, WS13 8GA. We will then head to the upstairs room at Darnford Moors Golf Club, Darnford Lane, Lichfield, WS14 9JG, arriving somewhere between 4.30pm and 5.00pm for drinks and a buffet.

We want the day to be a celebration of his life, so with this in mind we are suggesting that black is not necessary, please feel free to wear colour, which we will be doing so ourselves. We are only having flowers from the direct family, but Brian was a great believer in the Midlands Air Ambulance and would have welcomed any donations in support of this.

For anyone who would like to make a contribution, this can be done on the day, direct with the funeral directors, John Short, High Street, Chasetown or via the Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/billnwen.

If you cannot make the funeral but would like to join everyone after for food and drinks, please come along to the upstairs room at the Darnford Moors Golf Club, where you will be very welcome and we can remember Brian together.

The family need to give a number for catering, so would be grateful if you could please private message us at this link [Facebook] as to whether you will be joining us.

Thanks again everyone for your support.

Once again uncovering hidden history – Sue Satterthwaite and Len Boulton are remarkable local historians.

I’d like to point out there’s another chance to catch the massively successful talk on the story of the Aldridge Suffragette by Aldridge Great War historians Sue Satterthwaite and Len Boulton on Sunday, 18th March 2018 at Aldridge Library.

These two historians are remarkable in both knowledge and dedication, and this highly acclaimed talk is fascinating, garnering much media attention. It takes place at Aldridge Library in Rookery Lane and starts at 2:00pm. Not sure if the talk is free, but if there is a fee, it will be tiny – booking is advised: either call in, phone 01922 655569 or email aldridgelibrary@walsall.gov.uk.

Once again I am indebted to Linda Mason, who drew my attention to this and who really keeps me up to speed so I can advertise talks and events from these two expert and fascinating historians.

This remarkable 1970s image from Ian Broad shows a mystery shop, bricked up. Do you know what it was?

Last week here on the blog I had an absolutely terrific response to the photo supplied by Ian Broad of 1982 Shire Oak School leavers outside the Royal Oak pub in Shire Oak – well, spurred on by that, Ian has sent in another wonderful picture of the row of shops that once stood where Wilkinson is today, and where Ian’s family had the shop Tom’s Cabin for many years throughout the 1980s.

Ian wrote:

Hi Bob,

I hope you’re well. Loved the post you did about our 1982 school leaving day.

That post of yours with my Schools out ‘82 pic really started something.

One of my old classmates spotted it and posted a link on FB – loads of old school mates are gradually re connecting on there and there’s even mention of a reunion.

There are well over 100 comments on the Facebook thread.

Love your blog.

I just came across this pic of the High Street, Brownhills. Circa 1978, looking from Ravens Court end towards the Station Hotel.

Marie’s fruit and veg shop is clearly visible, next door is the bricked up newsagents that turned out to be a ‘time capsule’ when we bought it off the council.

There were still magazines and sweets in there as if it was bricked up without being distributed.

I wonder if the shopkeeper died suddenly?

Next to the bricked up frontage is May Browns hairdressers that my dad bought to open as a carpet shop.

After the alley way us Wood Brothers bike shop.

The owner was Roger. I think he was Australian. His son was Max. It’s a bit vague after that, hard to see the detail in the pic.

All the best,
Ian Broad

This will bring back many memories for lots of people, although I suspect the image may predate 1978, and I’d welcome comment on that please.

What particularly interests me are the bricked up shop, and the one to the left of the greengrocers. Do you know what they were?

I know there were several transitory businesses here over the years – I recall a pet shop about here in the late 1970s with tortoises in the window. I also remember being left in one of the shops with a friend of my mother who worked behind the counter. I think it was a grocer, in the early 1970s. The lady was called ‘Doreen’ I think. I know nothing else, but I am wondering if it’s that bricked up shop.

I remember Woods Bike Shop well – the one chap was indeed Australian. They occupied three units in a row, and proto-Bob had his first bike from there one Christmas. I remember being terrified of changing gear. I know the shop was still there in some form until at least 1984.

Toms Cabin occupied the hairdresser and the bricked up shop, clearly, and from the photo below that Ian has supplied before which shows the shop, it seems that the legendary CK Electronics – home of the cheap, refurbished TV and VCR – took on Marie James shop and the one next to it. If I remember correctly, there was then a gap filled by an advertising hoarding to the Natwest Bank which was the start of Ravens Court.

It’s always a pleasure to feature material like this on the blog.

Thanks to Ian for another great memory-jogger, and if you have any memories of this row of shops, or can answer my question, please do comment here or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.

Toms Cabin, some time in the early 1980s I think. Image from a previous post and Kindly supplied by Ian Broad.

Out of sadness – a great event to pull the community together.

There’s a wonderful event today, Sunday 18th February 2018 from 1pm until 5pm at St. James Church Hall, Brownhills, to have fun and to celebrate the life of Mylee Billigham who is being remembered throughout the area with a wonderful display of pink ribbons and bows.

The murder on January 2oth has left the community in a state of shock and sadness, but people have pulled together to raise funds for the family and remember the eight your old.

With that in mind today 1pm-5pm at St. James Church Hall, Brownhills there will be a fun day to remember Mylee, which will be free to enter and a whole host of fun attractions will be taking place – bouncy castles, stalls, raffles, games, rodeo bull, food and drink, balloons, cakes and more.

The local community and businesses have really pulled together in this time of adversity and sadness – I’m astonished at the effort that’s gone into this event and other activities going on in memory of Mylee.

If you want to find out more you can visit the event Facebook page here or the Mylee Fundraising group here.

You can donate to the fund in Mylee’s memory directly here.

I’d hereby like to than Caroline Jayne Watkinson, Jodie Worrall and Holly Sowden Sault for their work with this. True community spirits and people that Brownhills can be really proud of.

There’s been a great article about the Fun Day and fundraising efforts at the Birmingham Mail – you can read the full article here – but I include a shortened version below.

Pink bows adorn the area in memory of Mylee. Image from Lisa Hughes.

Family Fun Day launched in memory of tragic Mylee Billingham

Friends and neighbours heartbroken by little Mylee Billingham’s death have rallied together to put on a family fundraising day in her name.

Mylee’s Day has been set up to raise money for the family after the eight-year-old was found with stab wounds at a bungalow in Valley View, Brownhills, near Walsall, on January 20.She died later in hospital and a 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Friend and neighbour Caroline Watkinson decided to put on a raffle to try raise money for mum Tracey Taundry and her two children following the tragedy.

But she was inundated by people in the community wanting to help out and so they decided to stage a fundraising day.

Mylee’s Day will happen on February 18, from 1 to 5pm at St James Church Hall, Vicarage Road, Brownhills.

Friend and neighbour Caroline Watkinson decided to put on a raffle to try raise money for mum Tracey Taundry and her two children following the tragedy.

But she was inundated by people in the community wanting to help out and so they decided to stage a fundraising day.

Mylee’s Day will happen on February 18, from 1 to 5pm at St James Church Hall, Vicarage Road, Brownhills.

“It started off with a raffle and then we came up with the idea of a whole day of fundraising,” said Caroline, from Brownhills.

“We’ve been inundated, the response has been phenomenal, the kindness of people is amazing.

“Tracey grew up on my road, she is like one of my children.

“She’s happy that we’re doing this for the family.”

There will be free entry to the family day and it will feature a:

• Bouncy castle
• Rodeo bull
• Magician
• Clown
• Balloon drop
• Guess the weight of the cake stall
• Tombola
• Auction
• Raffle
• Name the teddy stall
• Beauty stall
• Food and drinks stalls

“It will be a traditional fun day with loads to do for all the family,” said Caroline.

“Everyone has been so kind. The bouncy castle and rodeo bull are being donated for free and the burger van is coming for free and giving us a percentage of his takings, it’s the same with the sweet stall too.

“We’re being given free use of the church hall too.

“I have to stress it’s not just me doing this, so many people have come together to raise money for the family.”

Since Mylee’s death, people in the community have been making and wearing pink bows in a display of solidarity following the shock of the little girl’s death.

“We’ve all got pink bows on our doors, we’ve made stickers for cars and we hope everyone will wear pink bows to Mylee’s Day too,” added Caroline.

Local businesses have got involved, with 50 fundraising tins being held in restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Baby shop Bonnie Babies in Bloxwich has donated a Silver Cross pram and a Reborn doll for an online raffle, the latter of which has already raised a whopping £750.

The group, which also includes neighbours Diane Smith and Jodie Worrall, have also been emailing local companies to get involved and are hoping to get some footballers or local celebs on board too.

A GoFundMe page has already raised nearly £3,000 for Mylee’s family. Find out more here.

“I’m proud to be from Brownhills,” said Caroline.

“People have been in touch offering everything from designer bags to champagne for us to raffle off.

“I think every hairdressers in Brownhills has offered us a voucher for a free cut and blow dry, and we’ve been given a tattoo voucher too.

“Some people have done a 10 mile sponsored walk in the rain.“I’m really proud of our community and how everyone has pulled together to help.

“We hope to raise lots of money to help the family in any way we can.”

Find out more by visiting Mylee’s Fundraising Group on Facebook.

Posters are up in local businesses – please support this wonderful event. Image by Agnes Mathieson.

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird

I’ve been sent in a lovely gallery of local drone photographs by keen drone pilot Lee Bashford who’s been trying his machine at various spots around Chasewater and Brownhills.

As you know, I love drone photography and have previously featured such photography by local lad Steve Martin and also a flight video of the new housing development at Silver Court Gardens in Brownhills.

I particularly love in these shots how the wide angle really gives curvature to the earth and make you realise the extent of the new build redevelopment in Brownhills.

Thanks to Lee for a wonderful chance to see our area from a new angle, I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future – if you’d like to get in touch with him, please feel free to comment here or drop e a line – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers!

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird.JPG

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird.JPG

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird.JPG

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird

Image Kindly supplied by Lee Bashfoird