BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog

Walsall Wood High Street. Archive image from 365days.

You may have noticed the road closures at the time yourself, or become aware via social media that there was a two-car collision in Walsall Wood High Street last night (Sunday 3rd September 2017).

West Midlands Police this afternoon issued the following statement:

Police were called to a collision between two cars in High Street, Walsall Wood, at around 10.10pm last night (Sunday 3 September).

One vehicle was abandoned and one person in the other vehicle was taken to hospital with injuries which were not believed to be serious.

Regards
Craig Hughes
Operational Communications Officer
Corporate Communications
West Midlands Police

Obviously, if you saw anything or have any information at all that you feel is relevant, please do contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 or via any of the methods listed here.

Thanks to Craig Hughes and the Press Team and West Midlands Police for a prompt response.

Images Kindly supplied by David Evans

David Evans has sent a great report from last week’s match (30th August 2017) between Walsall Wood Under 18s and Dudley Under 18s – and he enjoyed a great night of football.

But before that, an important heads up that the Wood Under 18s have an away match this week at Lemington Spa and have organised a couch from Walsall Wood:

Wednesday 6th September 2017: 7:45pm kick-off at Townsend Meadow, Leamington Spa CV34 6JP

There will be a coach leaving from the ground around 5:3pm. Cost be £10 Adults and U16s will be free.

Your support will be much appreciated
Dylan (Team Manager)

Also, the team are looking for players, and applications are open – see the foot of this post!

David Evans wrote:

Walsall Wood 2 v 2 Dudley

On Wednesday evening 30th August 2017 Walsall Wood FC Under 18s played against Dudley in a floodlit football match at their Oak Park home ground.

The final score was a 2-2 draw and this was a fair result.

Dudley started the stronger side and put the Wood under considerable pressure initially. However, the home side displayed a maturity and confidence that grew after they were put one goal down by the well-worked and accurate soccer that Dudley showed.

Wood staged a comeback, and the range of skills that was used by all the players were a delight to spectate. Some interesting and innovative moves, a willingness to shoot at goal from long range, excellent corner kicks, fine goalkeeping and endeavour and drive by both sides was evident throughout the 90 minutes.

The game flowed well, and the referee took time to explain as and when. Excellent and mot appreciated by the players and spectators alike.

The evening’s proceedings were well supported by the excellent work of the officials both on and off the field of play

The game itself was most enjoyable to watch and attend, a credit to the players, their team managers and clubs, and I wish them continued success in all the matches they play.

David

Team manager, Dylan Somel wrote:

This year Walsall Wood Football Club are implementing youth side, who will play in the Midland Floodlit League. This has been made possible with the support from the youth section at the club and also George and Justin, who have made a great platform for the lads to succeed under the Wood banner.

Walsall Wood Under 18s Football Team need you!

We train Thursdays 6:30-8pm at Oak Park Active Living Centre 

Our league games coming up are 

Wrens Nest: Home 7:45pm Kick-off on the 15th August
Dudley Town: Home 7:45pm  Kick-off  on the 28th August

Please could you include special thanks to our Home Kit Sponsor Guy’s Dental based in Lichfield and our trainingwear sponsor Stonnall Fish Bar.. Thanks so much.

Manager is myself Dylan Somel and 07446348126 is my number for any players interested. 

The team have some great sponsorship. Can particularly vouch for the chip shop at Stonnal, which does great chips and most excellent kebabage! Image supplied by Dylan Somel.

Brownhills West as it was mapped by the Ordnance Survey in the mid 1880s – but where was The Willum? Click for a larger version. Image from National Library of Scotland Archive.

Apologies for the lack of posts this weekend: A great ride on Saturday, and yesterday I was wiped out, frankly. Back to normal today. Normal service is resumed!

A quick appeal for a little historical assistance comes in from David Evans, who’s reading some accounts of religious meetings on and around Brownhills Common and Brownhills West around 1900.

David has found reference to one such meeting being near ‘The Willum’, and he’s wondering what this is, and where it could be found? It could be a place, a building, a pit… anything at all.

We’re convinced this is not a mix-up or conflation with The Wilkin, but possibly it was in Brownhills West. Like Frog Hall mentioned on a map of an earlier period, The Willum seems elusive.

Frog Hall has baffled a few of us for years, shown here on a map found by Sir Gerald of Reece, and published in his book ‘Brownhills: A Walk Into History with Gerald Reece’. Click for a larger version.

We’re aware also that The Wilkin Pit was known as ‘The Monkey’ as was periodically, the pub itself.

On a related note, where does the name ‘Wilkin’ actually come from? Does anyone know?

If you can help, please do: Comment here or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

All photos posted on Twitter by Brownhills Local Policing Unit/West Midlands Police.

Just a headsup I’ve been meaning to post all week that finally, action is being taken by local police against offloaders in the Engine Lane area of Brownhills Common.

Believe it or not, outside of dog fouling, in recent months I’ve had more complaints about this nuisance than anything else.

Brownhills Local Policing Unit posted on Twitter last Sunday (27th August 2017):

Your beat team working with traffic officers - seizure of off-road bikes @ Engine Lane, Brownhills. We will continue to be robust. 👮🏼‍♀️🏍🚫 pic.twitter.com/uSDjLbs0BQ

— Brownhills, Pelsall, Shelfield and Rushall Police (@BrownhillsWMP) August 27, 2017

This issue isn’t harmless – I hear what lots of you say; it’s only wasteland, they’re not doing harm, etc.; but there is a riding stables nearby that regularly has horses scared, paths on the common are so churned they’re unusable by walkers, bikes are going from the old rail line down onto the canal at the old Cement Works Bridge, and it’s harming wildlife and making the deer bolt.

If you can afford an off-road scrambler, you can afford to take it somewhere where it can be used legally and where it won’t cause issues for others.

Thanks to Brownhills team for the action, and if you want to follow their twitter updates, they’re well worth a follow – check them out here at @BrownhillsWMP.

I am liking very much the current proactive, can-do approach of the local beat coppers – despite hugely constrained resources, I see them about lots and they appear to be doing a great job and keeping folk informed too.

Well done, and stay safe, coppers…

I’m sure Frank probably officiated a match with these lads at some point – this is from the 1970s,  labelled ‘Walsall Wood Midland Combination, division 1.’ Photo kindly supplied by Clive Roberts.

I had an interesting message posted on Facebook yesterday which I think is worth sharing with readers of the blog, not just those who are interested in, or remember the heyday of Brownhills football teams.

Old friend of the blog Warren Parry contacted me to say he was saddened and surprised to find that renowned local referee Frank Sivorn had passed away a few months ago.

I’ve heard Frank mentioned many times and he was clearly very well regarded and will be remembered fondly.

Warren wrote:

Hi Bob,

Not sure this will be of interest to your readers, but I will give it a go. Thought it might be worth giving a mention to an old friend of mine who recently passed away.

I was working by where an old and renowned football referee lived. I was going to pop in and say hello to Frank Sivorn. Alas I found he had passed just a few months back.

To you Frank I doff my cap, you were truly a character and deserved a fitting send off from the Brownhills football community… I hope you got it. All the lads who played for me knew him and had respect for him.

RIP big man.

Thanks Warren for letting us know, and I’m sure all readers will join with me in expressing my sincerest condolences to Frank’s family, friends and those who knew him as a great arbiter of football.

I’m sure there will be readers out there with memories of Frank to share – if you have something to share, please do comment on this post or email me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

This is a wonderful piece – please do read it. You can do that now by clicking on the screenshot.

Following the sad news of the death of local online pioneer and friend to the blog and wider Walsall online community Mark Blackstock, I posted a short, clumsy tribute here that owed more to shock, loss and grief than anything else.

Over the weekend, fellow friend of Mark and grandfather of the the local blog community The Plastic Hippo has posted a beautiful tribute to Mark that puts into words what I was too ineloquent to say, and I think you should read it – you can do so here.

The Hippo is quite right in what he says: This blog here and now, like his, would not be here today without Mark. It simply would not exist.

I saw the YamYam when I first tentatively started the blog after being posted on it by Mark; the idea that I had anything worth posting there was bizarre, and flattering. Over those short developmental, revelatory weeks in Spring 2009, Mark encouraged me.

Mark’s emails, never asking who I was or what my angle was, encouraged me; they told me I had something to say and that I was saying it well, and that if I just did a couple of things, it would be good stuff. So I did. He would hold publication until I’d finished posts in the wee small hours. He was a gentle, supportive and reassuring voice.

Mark treated my work as he did that of other bloggers: every bit equivalent to published local journalism. Through Mark I learned how little ‘official’ news sources could actually be trusted to get stuff right, and how to watch my back. Mark was both my mentor and guardian.

And from that, we eventually met, and enjoyed some great times. My memory of him drunkenly riding away from the pub jeering into a dark winter night will always stay with me.

There is simply no way Mark’s place can ever be filled. There is a billowing void left by his loss – in this community and in our hearts. Please do read the Hippos piece – it says all this much better.

Sleep well, mate.

Like the Hippo, I am lost, hurting and bewildered.

I include the details of Mark’s funeral below once more, Kindly sent in by Derek Bishton.

The funeral for Mark Blackstock, editor and founder of the YamYam who died on August 3, will be held at Sandwell Valley Crematorium, Newton Road, West Bromwich B71 3SX on Wednesday 20th September 2017 at 1.45pm.

This will be followed by a reception at The Irish Centre, 14-20 High Street Deritend, Birmingham B12 0LN from 3pm – 11pm.
No flowers please. Everyone welcome.

If you have any photos or memories of Mark you would like to share, please email them to markmemorial2017@gmail.com.

My condolences to Mark’s family and friends.

There’s loads going on at the Activity Centre on the Miner Island in Brownhills!

There are lots of shows coming up at your local community arts space The Lamp at the Activity Centre in Brownhills over the coming Autumn, with something for everyone, including dare I say it, great Christmas shows!

You can check out the ad gallery below then visit the Lamp ‘what’s on’ page here – I’d particularly like to draw readers attention to the Sounds Familiar Seekers Charity Concert on 22nd September which is jus a fiver a head and all proceeds go to fund the Brownhills Remembrance Day parade. More on that concert to come.

If you haven’t yet visited The Lamp for a show, you really are missing out; it’s a wonderfully modern an 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.

Beautiful sheets like this ar now available online, for free, and to a much better resolution than this screenshot. Click for a larger version and a journey into 1902 Brownhills. Imagery from National Library of Scotland Archive.

There’s a great thing here I’ve been meaning to alert you folks to for a few weeks now – the ever wonderful National Library of Scotland Archive has a whole bunch on new, old maps online – for free.

The previously available 1:10,000 mapping from 1880 onwards has now been supplemented by a whole bunch of 1:2,500 scale maps from the same period. You can browse them at this link here – select a square, and look at the menu down the right side for available sheets. Click on one and the magic happens!

When I started the blog I was paying £18 for each small area of 1:2,500 mapping I was using here – and now, the whole lot in original sheet form is available free. This is momentous.

You can also browse a georeferenced set of 1:2,500 mapping that you can compare to modern mapping at this link here – that continuously scrolls and can be made transparent. You can find out how that process works in this previous post here.

The set is still being scanned, so some sheets are currently missing. So if you can’t find what you want, be patient! Also the site can be a little lumpy and cranky, but we can forgive that considering…

For reference when you’re exploring, probably best to use a computer browser rather than a mobile one, and the maps are sometimes referred to as ’25 inch’ rather than 1:2,500 in the menus. Also take care in the left hand sidebar with the country selection: You get different results with England and Wales, Great Britain and Scotland.

Have fun exploring, and let me know what you find! Comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at googlemmil dot com. Cheers.

The NLS site takes all the hard work out of overlaying old maps on modern satellite imagery – this is 1:2,500 1884 laid over modern Google Earth aerial. Click for a larger version.

Gentleshaw Common is a remarkable, often overlooked section of heathland. Imagery from Google Maps 3D.

While we’re on reduced service over a great summer weekend, this is something I’d like to draw to the attention of readers courtesy of John Currie, Brownhills Scout Group Leader and top community bloke.

Like many green spaces, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust are after volunteers to man work parties on Gentleshaw Common between Burntwood and Cannock Chase, a lovely bit of heathland that I really love.

I know lots of you want to get involved with such projects and the Staffordshire Wildife Trust are brilliant, so if you’re interested, why not contact them at the link provided?

Also, if you need volunteers for a local work party, do let me know – I’d love to advertise it here.

BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.

The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust wrote:

Gentleshaw common is a great ride. Image from 365days.

Residents in the Lichfield, Burntwood and Cannock areas are being invited to join a volunteer work party being held at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s newest nature reserve.

The Trust signed a 99-year lease with Lichfield District Council to manage Gentleshaw Common at the start of 2016.

The 86 hectare site became the Trust’s fifth largest nature reserve after The Roaches and Black Brook, near Leek, Highgate Common in Wombourne, and Doxey Marshes in Stafford.

Volunteers carry out work on all aspects of the reserve, with tasks including bracken control and heathland restoration.

The Trust’s aim is for the Common to become a haven for a whole host of wildlife, including birds, solitary bees and wasps as well as many species of plants including bog asphodel, heather and fly-catching carnivorous plants.

Interested? Head to https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/…/volunteer-and-help-out… further info.

The common is wide open, cinematic landscape. Image from 365 days.

Is this the notorious Pike Helve area of Brownhills? Click for a larger version. Image from an eBay sale posted by 88chatsworth.

OK folks – since I’m busy enjoying the good cycling weather, here’s a very quick postcard spotted on eBay for the handwriting and local Great War experts to ponder over.

A postcard on eBay from seller 88chatsworth, passed by the military censor and sent on Monday 2nd July 1917 to a lady in Pier Street, Brownhills.

You can see the auction here.

I’m interested in what we can find here about the sender, the addressee and their histories –  and also perhaps who the young lady is on the card.

If you can help, comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at googlemmil dot com. Get to it!

Was this a supermodel of the day? Image of a postcard on eBay sold by 88Chatswoth.

Mark Blackstock: A wonderful man. Image from his Facebook page.

Details for the funeral of Walsall pal Mark Blackstock, creator of news site TheYamYam, local musician and friend to the local online community have been announced – and there’s an ongoing appeal for photos and memories of this wonderful, sadly missed man.

Mark passed away on the 3rd of August following a heart attack. He was 55.

Mark’s friend Derek Bishton wrote:

The funeral for Mark Blackstock, editor and founder of the YamYam who died on August 3, will be held at Sandwell Valley Crematorium, Newton Road, West Bromwich B71 3SX on Wednesday 20th September 2017 at 1.45pm.

This will be followed by a reception at The Irish Centre, 14-20 High Street Deritend, Birmingham B12 0LN from 3pm – 11pm.
No flowers please. Everyone welcome.

If you have any photos or memories of Mark you would like to share, please email them to markmemorial2017@gmail.com.

My condolences to Mark’s family and friends. He was a good mate to all in the local blogging scene and his loss is particularly deeply felt here. Thank you to Derek for letting us know.

How great is this?

Must admit I overlooked this (sorry, it’s been a hell of a week) but there’s a chance to meet Dave Minion or Troll Princess Poppy at St James Church Hall, Brownhills this afternoon.

Pre-booking is said to be essential and you can phone Mel Pearce on 07794753210 for details. It’s three quid per kid and there’s refreshments and fun from 1pm until 3pm, so plenty of time to get your troll or minion sorted.

Brownhills Bob,

I wandered if it was possible to mention on your web-site that St James Church, Brownhills have a Children’s Minion Event this Saturday between 1-3pm.

I am the Children`s Youth and Family Worker linked to St James and we had a very successful ‘Paw Patrol’ event earlier in year, the kids have great fun they meet their favourite characters, have refreshments and play games. Its indoors so don’t have to worry about the weather!

If you are happy to mention it I have attached a Poster with all the details, it is a ticket only event and my Mobile number is on there too.

Best Regards
Mel Pearce.

Sorry for the late ad Mel – but please do get down there and support this lovely event!

Right, since it’s the last big weekend of the summer, there’s a whole load of stuff going on – and Bank Holiday Monday (28th August 2017) sees one of the occasional openings of something remarkable I visited way back last spring, and it’s well worth a visit.

Balleny Green is a narrow gauge, passenger-carrying miniature model railway located at Little Hay, east of Shenstone and north of Sutton Coldfield, just down the lane from the Holly Bush pub.

The railway runs it it’s own grounds which are beautiful, and is skilfully and safely operated by dedicated and clever engineers. It’s genuinely breathtaking, and what’s more, absolutely free (although you’d a total tightarse not to make a donation for such a wonderful thing – collecting box right by the clubhouse!)

Balleny Green is something I heartily recommend – it won’t take all day, but it’ll easily burn a couple of hours and leave you feeling thoroughly charmed. It’s open from 10am until 3pm, and would make a great thing to call into on the way to or from New Hall Mill, which is also open Bank Holiday Monday.

You can find out more at the Sutton Coldfield Model Engineering Society’s site here. I posted the following on my 365daysofbiking journal after my last visit. It’s a terrific thing.

May 1st – Today, I did something I’d been meaning to do for years – I paid a visit to Balleny Green, a little-known narrow gauge railway layout run by Sutton Coldfield Model Engineering Society at Little Hay, between Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield.

I’ve known this place was here for years, but never caught it open. This time, I made a concerted effort to find out when it was a ‘steam up day’ and popped in.

This was just so English. No entry fee. No charges to ride. Just a bunch of people sharing their love of a fascinating, beautifully engineered hobby in the middle of rolling countryside in gorgeous grounds.

There is a long layout consisting of several tracks – including a miniature one – but on the larger one, which interestingly is dual gauge – passengers sit in or on carriages and are conveyed by small locomotives – today one steam, one electric – through tunnels, over junctions, level crossings, past ponds, signals, signal boxes. It’s gorgeous.

The whole thing is clearly a labour of love.

There were no other attractions, and none were needed: tea and biscuits, and a tin for donations to cover running costs.

All right here on the doorstep, and few know about it. A wonderful thing.

Find out more about Balleny Green at their website here. I’d like to thank the members for a beautiful, life-affirming thing.

I adore Chasewater, and I know many of the readers do too. It’s time it was promoted better – can you help?

That there Kate Cardigan from Lichfield Lore, Lichfield Discovered and a host of other historical and community based projects is appealing for people to join her and other volunteers in the new Friends of Chasewater Group, and to that end they have another informal meeting at Chasewater this evening, Wednesday 23rd August 2017.

Kate wrote:

There’s a meeting of the newly formed Friends of Chasewater on Wednesday 23rd August at 7.30pm at the Innovation Centre.

Anyone interested is very welcome to come along and find out more about plans for the group and how they can get involved.

We had some great ideas at the first meetings including an walking group and a local history display and we’ll be discussing these and more.

Hope to see some of you later

The idea of the collective is to get together, and promote the park and it’s interests – these could be improvements, events, talks or anything that concerns our favourite country park.

To this end, Kate has set up a Facebook Group you can join here, but if you’re not into Facebook, she’s on Twitter here or if you prefer, drop me the word and I’ll hook you up.

You can also get hold of Mrs. Cardigan in a variety of ways via her Lichfield Lore blog ‘About’ page here.

The Express & Star recently ran an appeal for members for the group, but seemed to omit how you could actually connect with them, so here you go.

The Express & Star wrote:

Chasewater in plea for volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help shape the future of an iconic beauty spot.

Chasewater Country Park is asking people to sign up to a new group called The Friends of Chasewater.

The group will be working on projects and ideas for the park and will receive help from members of the team at Chasewater where necessary.

Staffordshire County Council runs the park and said the friends group was a ‘great’ opportunity for people to work together to benefit the site. Helen Riley, deputy chief executive and the council’s director for families and communities, said: “The Friends of Chasewater is an exciting opportunity for members of the towns surrounding the park to come together and work on ideas and projects that benefit the community.

‘The Friends will take the lead on activities that local communities have said they want to see taking place at the park, and work with the Chasewater team to make the park a focal point for local people. It’s a really great opportunity for people with an interest in Chasewater to get directly involved with the park, so I’d urge anyone interested to join up.’

The group is expected to be similar to that of the Friends of Hednesford Park, which helps Cannock Chase District Council with projects and supports Hednesford Park.

Chasewater boasts a 90-hectare reservoir and plenty of green open space.

The Chasewater Innovation Centre provides visitor information, art and craft exhibitions by artists and a programme of summer holiday activities.

Sidney Webster was a remarkable pilot, prize-winner, war hero and pioneer airman. Image Kindly supplied by Stuart Cowley.

About a million years ago, top pal of the blog and longstanding originator of some great articles for the blog Stuart Cowley sent me details of a Pathe News clip of Walsall flying hero I knew little about:Ft.Lt. Sidney Norman Webster.

This remarkable airman was a real son of Walsall and true adventurer, and a national as well as local hero, both in civilian years and during wartime. He was often referred to as ‘Pebbler’ or the ‘Smiling pilot’.

Wikipedia records:

Sidney Norman Webster was born in Walsall on 9 March 1900 and joined the Royal Air Force in September 1918 and trained as a pilot.^[2] He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1921. In 1927 he was selected as part of the British team to contest the 1929 Schneider Trophy.^[1]

Sidney Norman ‘Pebbler’ Webster. Image from Walsall Local.History Centre.

After training Webster and the British team moved to Venice, Italy to prepare for the race against Italy, and the United States. The race was held on 26 September 1927 and was won by Webster flying his Supermarine S.5 single-engined seaplane at an average speed of 281.66 mph (453 km/h).^[1] After winning the trophy Webster was awarded a bar to his Air Force Cross.^[3]

Webster left the High Speed Flight and after a tour as a flight commander in 1933 he was seconded to the Egyptian Government until 1939.^[2]

Webster used his experience of high speed flight as he acted as a liaison officer between the Air Ministry and various aircraft manufacturers in the United Kingdom. In 1944 he moved to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment as commanding officer.^[1]

After the war Webster had two tours of duty with Coastal Command in between he was Air Officer Commanding RAF Hong Kong, he retired in 1950.^[2]

You can read more about this remarkable, overlooked local hero in a wonderful article posted on the Walsall Local History Centre blog here or the full article at Wikipedia here. The video Stuart found, which has no sound, was posted on the YouTube account of the Pathe News Archive, and can be seen below.

The film description reads:

In His Home Town. Whole town welcomes Ft.Lt. S.N.Webster who won Schneider Cup for Britain.

Walsall, West Midlands

M/S as crowds in the street wave at a car passing in a cavalcade. It stops at a building. A man in a wig gives speech. Webster, in uniform, stands on a small platform amid the massed crowd. The mayor presents the award or plaque. The crowds cheer and wave hands and hats. It looks like a sunny day. Webster poses, looking rather serious, with his mother.

Thanks to Stuart Cowley for a great spot there, and opening up a bit more of our forgotten history. If you have anything to add, please do: comment here or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.

The magazine and Walsall Wood Colliery would now be in the car park of the Oak Park Centre. Image from 1915 1:2,500 mapping. Click for a larger version.

Following Chris Smith’s great enquiry about his family and connections with Walsall Wood Colliery last week, I’ve had a great submission from old friend of the blog Charles Street who realised there was a fleeting image of the pit explosives magazine in a film he submitted to the blog a few years ago.

Lots of locals – lads, in particular – commented on social media that they tried to get into the building and to the pyrotechnical wonders inside. I’d wager it’s a good job they never managed it – but it has stirred some amusing and fun memories out there.

The magazine, as the map shows and you all agreed, stood on what is now Oak Park Active Living Centre’s car park and stored high explosive for use in the mine. There were similar structures at other local pits.

The explosives store as caught in a home cinefilm recorded by Charles Street’s father, Kindly supplied by Charles.

Charles said:

Hi Bob

Please find attached a picture of the old explosives store, this is a still from my Dad’s home movie taken around 1965.

Sorry the quality isn’t great but it shows the explosives store which the building in the foreground and the (then) newly built council houses along Brownhills Road in the background.

I remember the explosive stores as a kid, my dad reckoned it was in the middle of the field on the premise if it ever blew up it would do no damage other than to the shed it was stored in, as the houses were well back from the field.

Regards

Chas

If seems despite my scepticism, these things were a lot moire secure than it would appear!

This fragment from 1:10,000 mapping in 1884 between Norton Pool (Chasewater) and Watling Street shows a magazine in the fields behind what is now Highfield Farm. Click for a larger version.

You can see Chas’s original video, recorded by his father and posted on the blog some years ago blow – thanks as ever to Chas for a great, thought-provoking submission which I’m sure will provoke debate.

If you have anything to add, please do: either comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

A previously published image in much better quality, thanks to everyone’s favourite tat-bazaar, eBay. Click for a larger version.

A quick post of a great local postcard spotted by reader Dean, and the latest post in a series of unusual postcards spotted on everyone’s favourite tat bazaar, eBay.

For sale by postcard dealer univeralpostcards, we have this interesting late 50s/early 1960s Bourne image of the High Street, looking southeast towards Shire Oak from just opposite Brewes Shop, from outside where Aldi would be now, Station Hotel on the right.

A scan of this was featured in the book ‘Memories of Brownhills Past’ by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington – but this image is much clearer. That huge pram!

The scan is of very high quality.

Also included at the foot of the post is a lovely Norton Canes postcard, pointed out to me by a reader a few weeks ago (but I can’t now remember who, or indeed, find the auction) – it’s a remarkably high quality scan and worth clicking on just to see full size for the central image of Norton pool (Chacsewater) with the conduit slag heap in the background.

If you fancy this, you can see the original sale here where it’s offered at a starting price of £9.99. Form an orderly queue, folks.

Any observations? Please do comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot

A great postcard of Norton Canes. I just wish I could remember where I found it. Click for full size version.

Sorry, it appears contrary to the information in this post, Andrew will not be at this event tomorrow due a a change of circumstances. My apologies for any inconvenience or confusion caused.

Cheers
Bob

Here’s one I’m awfully late with, but you still have chance to catch the wonderful war historian Andrew Thornton at the Cannock Chase Military History Weekend tomorrow (Sunday 20th August) and this afternoon if you’re exceedingly quick to get up to Marquis Drive, Cannock Chase.

Andrew is a fantastic, knowledgable and very interesting historian who has contributed much to this blog and the area’s communal local history.

Andrew said:

I will be at the Marquis Drive Visitor’s Centre on Cannock Chase this weekend, selling copies of both volumes of my South Staffords at War books, copies of ‘Hell With the Lid Off’ and also taking enquiries regarding my research service.

Lots of Brownhills men are mentioned in both books.

The event I will be attending is The Cannock Chase Military History Weekend, which takes place on Saturday 19 August and Sunday 20 August. The event is open between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.

Andrew is also appealing for help with his next book:

Looks like a great read! Image Kindly supplied by Andrew Thornton.

I am currently writing my updated history of 2nd North Midland Field Company, Royal Engineers (Territorial Force), which I hope to have completed and published by November this year.

Although I have a lot of material on men who served with the Company during the Great War already, I am always aware that there are probably photographs, letters and other material that families still have in their possession that may help to tell the story of the Company in more personal detail.

Chasewater trotting track – the stadium many will remember derelict – never achieved the elusive success hoped for. Image from ‘Memories of Brownhills Past’ by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington.

I’m not going to beat around the bush, a remarkable piece of local history right out of the blue courtesy of Twitter pal Ben Graham who drew my attention to it an hour ago – those interested in the local history of trotting, Chasewater Stadium and Oscar Johnson will find this fascinating.

The BBC archive have published today a short Nationwide TV clip from 1971 about the opening of the Chasewater Trotting Track.

I do question the stadium holding 20,000 people though! This answers so many questions.

So get the sound on, sit back with a brew and enjoy. And if you have any comments, leave them here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail do com. Cheers.

#OTD 1971: Do you know a trotter from a pacer? Brownhills was betting on trotting bringing some Ben-Hur thrills to the West-Midlands pic.twitter.com/eaqZHSNCrk

— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) August 18, 2017

Walsall Wood Colliery, image believed to be not far from closure, possibly 1950s. From Walsall, a Click in Time/Walsall Local History Centre.

Had a great enquiry in this week from Chris Smith, who you’ll remember was researching the Claridge family and shop for the store’s 60th anniversary this year – well Chris is looking for some local history help with his family, including his Grandfather who was blast man at Walsall Wood Colliery.

Chris wrote:

Hi Bob,

I wonder if you or any of your readers can help me with things which relate to my Great Grandfather Joseph Smith Born 1867 in Warwickshire, possibly Birmingham, lived in the Shire Oak area and worked at Walsall Wood Colliery where I believe he had the job of looking after the explosive stock. His son, my Grandad, Isaiah Smith also worked at the pit. One of his daughters was Mrs Claridge.

I would like any information about the family and about the explosives store which I believe was the shed in the middle of the field opposite the colliery and behind the school on Linden Rd.

Even better, any of my relatives out there?

Best regards,
Chris

Thanks to Chris for an interesting enquiry – can you help?

As has been mentioned a few times here over the years, that’s exactly where the explosives magazine was, in the field, and is shown on mapping of the time:

The magazine and Walsall Wood Colliery would now be in the car park of the Oak Park Centre. Image from 1915 1:2,500 mapping. Click for a larger version.

It seems odd that so many pit magazines were so exposed and insecure.

If you can help Chris, please do: either comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

Great football on a lovely evening. Image Kindly supplied by Dylan Somel.

David Evans has sent the following wonderful match report from last Tuesday evening’s match (15th August 2017) between Walsall Wood Under 18s and Wrens Nest Under 18s – and he liked what he saw.

The best bit is they team are looking for players, and applications are open!

If you’ve an under 18 kicking about the house making things untidy, and if they’re into football, why not get them out of the house on Thursday evenings to try out for Walsall Wood Under 18s who train at the Oak Park Active Living Centre from 6:30-8pm?

David Evans wrote:

An excellent  performance by Walsall Wood Football Club Under 18s against Wrens Nest on Tuesday evening at Oak Park, where the  final score  was a two-all draw.

A crowd of a hundred or so were in fine voice to support the two teams and applaud good play – and they players responded by playing this match at full speed throughout.

A very early penalty put Walsall Wood in the lead and this spurred the visitors and home team alike. Excellent touchline marshalling and encouragement by both team managers was evident as was the eager, receptive responsive by the eager young players.

The Referee took time to explain decisions to players concerned and this aspect of the game was appreciated by all. A very creditable teaching facet of this under- 18 contest.

Very little impatience or any extravagant loose play was evident. Indeed, instead there was determination and good sporting challenge, accurate passing, long range shots on goal, high leaping from corner kicks, where confidence, endeavour and good team understanding characterised this match.

Final score WWFC Under 18s, two, Wrens Nest under 18s, two.

A fair result. A good performance.

David

Team manager, Dylan Somel wrote:

This year Walsall Wood Football Club are implementing youth side, who will play in the Midland Floodlit League. This has been made possible with the support from the youth section at the club and also George and Justin, who have made a great platform for the lads to succeed under the Wood banner.

Walsall Wood Under 18s Football Team need you!

We train Thursdays 6:30-8pm at Oak Park Active Living Centre 

Our league games coming up are 

Wrens Nest: Home 7:45pm Kick-off on the 15th August
Dudley Town: Home 7:45pm  Kick-off  on the 28th August

Please could you include special thanks to our Home Kit Sponsor Guy’s Dental based in Lichfield and our trainingwear sponsor Stonnall Fish Bar.. Thanks so much.

Manager is myself Dylan Somel and 07446348126 is my number for any players interested. 

The team have some great sponsorship. Can particularly vouch for the chip shop at Stonnal, which does great chips and most excellent kebabage! Image supplied by Dylan Somel.

This was the beginnings of unionisation of the coalfields, and a better life for colliers. Booklet generously supplied by Sean Coughlan. Click to download your copy.

I’ve had a really interesting donation this week from an unexpected source who has longstanding connections to the mining history of North Walsall – Sean Coughlan, the leader of Walsall Council!

Sean has sent images of the above publication, the Minutes of Conferences of the Cannock Chase and Pelsall District Joint Minimum Wage Board, which is a real piece of local union and working local history.

You can download a copy in PDF form here – (PDF file, 13 megabytes in size).

I believe we’re missing pages two and three, otherwise the book is complete: If Sean is tuned in and could send along the missing pages if he has them I’ll add them to the PDF.

Sean also posted this interesting Pelsall Millennium postcard – which has raised the question of what the image is bottom left? Click for a larger version. Image courtesy of Sean Coughlan.

Sean has previously donated much material relating to local mining history to the Local History Centre in Walsall, providing an invaluable contribution to the historical record of the industry locally.

Thanks to Sean for a great contribution – I know that David Evans is in conversation with him about the history of Albert Stanley MP, the Miners Champion we’ve heard about before, and I’m sure this will be of interest to Peter ‘Pedro’ Cutler and others interested in the social history of mining in the area.

If you have anything to add, please do: comment here or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

An image believed to be of Brownhills Choral Society – legendary and very successful, with the noted singer George Fullelove third from left. Image generously supplied by Margaret Yeomans.

Yesterday via Facebook, I received this wonderful image posted by friend of the blog Margaret Yeomans, who tells me this is a photo of Brownhills Choral Society and the chap third from left is the legendary George Fullelove.

Magaret wrote:

I came across this old photo today Mr Bob, I am sure it’s Brownhills Choral Society, it was taken in one of the methodist chapels.

There is another half to this photo but sadly I haven’t got it.

I think the third gentleman on the left is George Fullelove the choirmaster, he was my father’s cousin, my name was also Fullelove.

I can remember a lot of the choir even though I was only young. Quite a few of my family were members.

Thanks to Margaret for a splendid donation. From past images here (notably the tribute at Silver Street Church) I think that is certainly George, one of the most accomplished sons of Brownhills and a great singer.

David Evans has suggested this might be at the Wesleyan Methodist Church – can any of the people remembering those days help please?

I’m appealing for help here identifying not just the place, but the people in the photo and if possible, the approximate date too. Hoping perhaps Aer Reg, Sue Woodward or David Oakley might be passing and be able to help?

Cheers to Margaret for a great contribution!

If you can help, please do: Comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.

I’m expecting a degree of grumbling. Tin hat on!

Some weeks ago you’ll remember I gave forewarning of improvement works to both Shire Oak Crossroads and Streets Corner Junction on the A461 Lichfield Road as it passes through Walsall Wood and Shire Oak.

Well, the works at Shire Oak begin in earnest today, Sunday 13th August 2017 and will run until Spring 2018 – there will be variable traffic management in place and delays should be expected – if you can take and alternative route, do so.

Advanced works will start at A461 Lichfield Road/A452 Chester Road (Shire Oak junction) on Sunday 13 August.

These advanced works are to allow for the utility services in the highway to be relocated and a pedestrian refuge to be relocated before the main junction improvement works start.

Traffic management at the junction will vary from day to day.

Sunday 13 August – tempory traffic lights will operate at the junction to allow excavation work take place.

Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 August – STOP/GO boards will operate on the A452 Chester Road outside No. 159 to allow the temporary removal of the pedestrian refuge. The refuge is to be removed temporarily to allow new BT telecoms and traffic lights cabling to be installed. The refuge will be replaced once the cabling works are completed.

Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 August – no works to take place.

Sunday 20 August – temporary traffic lights will operate at the junction to allow cabling to be installed on the A461 Lichfield Road outside The Shire Oak public house.

Walsall Transport have asked me if I’d keep readers informed, and I’m happy to do so. You can also keep in touch with developments by following their Facebook page here, website here and twitter here.

Senior transport planner Donna Cattell said:

Hi Bob,

Thank you for sharing the information for the proposals to improve the A461 junctions.

For you information we’ll be updating the project webpage regularly with the Traffic Management arrangements as we set the dates for the various construction stages.

Would it be possible for you to share this information on your blog please? The local public have shown a high level of interest in the scheme and we know that your blog will reach many of the residents who will be affected by the arrangements.

We’ll also be using our facebook and Twitter accounts to share this information (links shown in my signature below). If you’re interested in sharing additional information about the scheme we can tweet you each time we update the page?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Many Thanks,

Donna Cattell

Senior Transport Planner
Strategic Transportation – Economy & Environment Directorate
Zone 2J, 2nd Floor, Civic Centre,
Walsall Council, Darwall Street, Walsall WS1 1DG
01922 654659

Friends of Millfield School’s float in Brownhills Carnival, possibly 1994 or 95. Image Kindly supplied by Lorraine Margetts.

Following the features I posted here recently regarding the experiences of Brownhills Carnival in the latter years by Lisa Ashby, I’ve had a great contribution come in from reader Lorraine Margetts of Shire Oak.

I’m not sure when or whereabouts on the carnival rote this were taken, but this is every bit how I remember Brownhills Carnival: Local folk from businesses, schools and clubs getting together and dressing up for no tother reason than to have a laugh and raise a few bob for charity.

Friends of Millfield School’s float in Brownhills Carnival, possibly 1994 or 95. Image Kindly supplied by Lorraine Margetts.

Lorraine said:

Hi Bob

A few photos from Brownhills Carnival.

This was Millfield School float. Kennings would always help out with a loan of a lorry.

Not sure what year, about 25 years ago I think.

Cheers

Lorraine Margetts

Well, with my detective hat on I can see that the wagon is a fairly new looking L registration; at that point registration letters changed once per year, in August. L was the letter for August 1993 to August 1994 – the carnival was generally in June, so that dates these images at 1994 or maybe a bit later.

Previously regarding Brownhills Carnival, we’ve also had a great gallery from Peter Booth, an interesting image from Chasewaterstuff, Lisa Ashby’s wonderful memories here and here, and the iconic Pritchard film from 1934.

Can you identify anyone in these pictures? Have they triggered any memories? If they have, and you have something to say – let’s hear it. Comment here or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Thanks to Lorraine for a great set – always appreciated!

Friends of Millfield School’s float in Brownhills Carnival, possibly 1994 or 95. Image Kindly supplied by Lorraine Margetts.